When not in use, your handbags, purses, and everyday shoppers may sag, bend, fade, or become damaged in some other way if they’re not stored correctly. You spent good money on your bag, so you ought to take good care of it so it lasts forever. We’ll help you understand how to store purses the right way to keep them looking like new.
By adopting a few easy handbag storage tips and ideas you can make your closet appear beautiful, look neat, and be fabulously functional. Plus your handbags will stay looking like the day you bought them.
First, let’s look at the things you need to do before storing your handbag away. These are super important for the longevity of your bags.
How to Protect Your Handbags During Storage
One of the most important parts of how to store purses correctly is knowing how to protect them. Before you put your handbag into storage, you’ll want to make sure you follow a few simple steps to make sure it comes out of storage looking new.
Always Clean Your Purse Before Storing It Away
Before you store your purse away or put it back up on the shelf, you’ll want to clean it. The best way to clean your bag is with either a leather cleaner or another cleaner for whatever fabric your purse is made of. Also, after cleaning your purse, be sure to let it completely dry before putting it away.
Protect the Shape of Your Purse
There are two ways to protect the shape of your purse. You’ll want to protect the base of the bag with a purse base shaper. This will keep it from sagging at the bottom. The other way to protect the shape of your bag is by using something to stuff the bag. The best option is a purse pillow, but acid-free tissue paper or packing bubbles will work as well.
Use a Dust Bag to Protect the Outside of the Bag
You’ll also want to protect the outside of the bag from dust and light. The easiest way to protect your handbag or purse from outside threats during storage is the use of dust bags. They’ll protect your purse without the possibility of mildew creation as you can see with other sealed bags.
Leave Space Between Purses
It’s also important to leave a gap between each purse. You don’t want your handbags stored all smashed together because it can cause damage to the material. It can also cause color transfer between bags. If you’re storing your bags on shelves, the use of shelf dividers may be helpful.
Display Your Purses on a Shelf
Take a cue from designer boutiques and display your handbags on a high shelf in your closet. If you don’t have one, a nice bookshelf works perfectly!
If you don’t want to cover the bags in pillowcases or dust bags, place them in transparent or mesh boxes – so you can see your handbags your collection clearly.
If your clothes take up prime real estate in your closet and drawers opt for investing in clear storage boxes. You can organize your bags for easy access by labeling the drawers with the pictures and brand names. Just be sure not to hang your purses as this could stretch out the handles.
You could also make use of hanging shelves that attach to the rod in your closet. They look nice and have separate spots for each handbag.
To keep your bags upright, stuff them with purse pillows and put them in their individual cloth dust bags.
To prevent your handbags from fading, make sure that the shelf and your handbags are at least six to seven 6 inches away from any naked, overhead light bulbs.
Hang Your Handbags Up on a Door
If you’re short on closet space, drape a rod or hook over your closet door to store your top-handled bags and satchels. This option is not the best for the straps, but if you must hang them it works…
Also, hanging your bags from hooks helps to prevent large bags from losing their shape or sagging in the middle.
To keep your bags organized, divide them by color, season or designer before hanging. designer, so you can easily find the right bag when you’re looking for it.
Or you can suspend your shoulder bags from the ceiling using Heavy-duty Stainless S-Hooks.
Divide and Conquer Your Bags with Storage Bins
Look no further than Amazon to find some storage inspiration. They have a ton of products made specifically for handbags or purses but also have a large assortment of general storage products.
You can file away your smallest bags by using upright acrylic shelf dividers or by putting two or three handbags together in a plastic storage container with a lid.
A good way to keep clutches in place is by filing them like books. Use sweater dividers to separate and protect bags made of delicate materials like satin (which can snag) and patent leather (which can dent and discolor). Try inexpensive
To keep your purses sorted, dedicate one or two containers for dark-colored purses, another for brights. (or, however you’d like to sort them… seasons is another way)
When storing your fabric and beaded clutches away in plastic boxes during the fall and winter months, place acid-free tissue paper between the bags to prevent scratches and scuffs.
Install a Hook for Your Everyday Purse
If you have a purse that you use regularly, you may want to install a simple hook in the place where you like to keep your bag when you get home. Having a hook will keep you from plopping your bag on the floor after a tiring day. they’re also extremely easy and cheap to install.
Our Final Thoughts on How to Store Purses Correctly
- Resist the urge to store purses within purses. While doubling up your purses is a clever way to create storage, save space, you may stretch your clutches and handle bags beyond repair.
To keep the dye color from transferring, keep your suede purses separate from each other.- To help keep the shape of your bag, fill the interior with bubble wrap, tissue paper, or better yet: purse pillows. Avoid using newspaper to fill your bags as the ink may damage the interior fabric.
- Remember to always use dust bags to keep your purses clean and from discoloration from light.
- Keep bags from sagging under their own weight and losing their shape (a danger when they’re left lying down), hang them from hooks affixed to the top of your storage space or unit.
- Do not wrap your handbags in plastic because this could allow mold and mildew to grow.
- Store your bags in a dark, cool place. Leather bags should especially be out of direct sunlight as it can cause the leather to fade, crack, and dry out.
- If your leather bag is seasonal and will be in storage for a few months, apply a layer of leather conditioner to the exterior. Leave the leather conditioner on for 30 minutes, then buff with a dry cloth. If your bag is canvas or suede, use a conditioner formulated for these materials.
- To prevent colors from mixing, never store wet or damp leather handbags. Allow wet bags to air-dry overnight in a cool place, and then stuff the inside with white tissue paper, bubble wrap, or purse pillows to help them retain their shape during storage.
- To maintain order in your closet, start by placing the ones you use frequently on handy hooks, then get to work organizing the others in your collection.
