Mold is one of the biggest enemies of a luxury handbag. Even the smallest mold spores can create havoc when they set up home on the leather of your favorite bags. To protect the integrity of fine leather and to prevent permanent damage, it’s essential to treat your luxury items with care.
Caring for new or pre-owned designer purses and leather handbags and preventing mold production doesn’t have to be strenuous or take up a ton of your time. Consistent care over the lifetime of your handbags can make a massive difference. Plus, keeping purses in excellent condition can significantly improve the resale value when you’re ready to let them go.
What Causes Mold on Leather?
The number one culprit of mold is water. When fabrics get wet and remain damp for an extended period or sit in humid environments, mold spores can latch on, grow, and spread. Alongside water, warm conditions can speed up the reproduction of mold spores and put your handbags on the fast track to ruin.
If you are looking to resell a pre-loved designer bag or think you may want to in the future, it is essential to keep mold at bay. The value of second-hand luxury purses can decrease significantly with any sign of damage. This includes mold. Both the visual imperfection and the odor from mold.
How to Prevent Mold
The most important thing when preventing mold is to get ahead of the problem before it starts. There are a few ways to prevent mold from latching onto your handbags, and the solutions can depend on the climate in which you live.
Dehumidifiers
If you live in a hot and humid location like we do here in Boca Raton Florida, it can be hard to escape the moist air even when indoors. The best way to prevent mold breakout on your handbags is to keep a dehumidifier in your space. Pulling moisture out of the air can help prevent mold growth from developing and keep your handbags safe.
Open Spaces
If you have the space, keeping your handbags outside of small, stuffy closets can help stop mold from starting. Small spaces, like unventilated closets, may contain stagnant air carrying mold spores. Without good airflow, spores can rest on the material of your purses and begin to spread, causing a major problem. Larger spaces with better ventilation and air movement make the perfect home for handbags. Consider showing off your pretty handbags as part of your decor. Never store a valuable handbag in a storage unit that doesn’t have AC.
Airing Out Dust Bags
Dust bags that are supposed to keep your handbags safe can also be known to trap moisture. Taking purses out of their dust bags from time to time can help clear the air surrounding your purses, keeping them free of mold. Clean and dry dust bags every so often to clear any mold spores on the fabric.
It can also be helpful to check the label on your dust bag. Synthetic materials like polyester are not very breathable and can trap moldy air in the bag with your purse. Opt for dusters made of natural fibers, such as cotton or silk. These materials breathe and won’t trap in heat and moisture with your beloved handbags.
Purse Rotation
Similarly to airing your bags out, keeping your handbags in consistent rotation helps prevent a mold infestation in your closet. By regularly using all of the handbags in your collection, you bring them into the open air and sunlight, both of which can kill and prevent mold from growing. As a bonus, you get to show off your style and all of your favorite fashion accessories.
Clean Up Spills
If you spill a drink in your bag or get caught in the rain without an umbrella, thoroughly dry your handbag as soon as possible. If liquids remain stagnant and don’t dry out, they can create a moist environment. Leave your handbag near a fan to fully dry your purse and keep it safe.
What To Do if Mold Is Already Present
If you notice odd-colored spots on your purse that weren’t there before, you may be dealing with mold spores. If this is the case, we can best recommend taking your affected bags to a professional cleaner. Many dry cleaners and shoe leather repair shops are equipped and trusted with high end designer handbag cleaning and repair. Just be sure to do your research and read reviews. A high-quality cleaning and spa day for your favorite bag may be more affordable than you think.
If you aren’t able to take your handbag to a professional and want to remedy the situation at home, a few methods may be helpful.
Sun Exposure
If the situation is minor, letting your bag sit in the sun for a few hours may help with mold. The UV rays in sunlight can serve as a disinfectant for minor mold outbreaks, killing the spores so they can easily be wiped off.
White Vinegar
White vinegar also serves as a disinfectant that can be effective against mold. Diluting white vinegar with water and using a damp cloth to spot-treat the affected area can work wonders on a mold outbreak. However, we recommend that you spot-test the solution on an inconspicuous area of your bag first to ensure no adverse reactions from the solution on the material.
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Infographic
Mold can seriously damage luxury handbags, as even small spores can harm the leather. The best way to prevent mold is to take action before it appears. Keep reading to learn more in this infographic.
