How to store your handbags at home

Having to stay in Australia, Dubai, US, Europe and Singapore for an extended period of time, I realised that the way to store your handbags is totally different for each region. Weather is a key factor. For example, Singapore is really hot and humid whereas Dubai really dry and hot. Europe and US experience both really dry and cold winter whereas Australia winter is not as bad.

Leather that is used to make our handbag is a “living thing”. We must understand that they are organic artefacts when left to their own devices may desiccated and become dull, that is why they require our tender, lover and care when it comes to finding a “home” for them.

Weather and Humidity
The perfect humidity to prevent mold spot on your leather handbag is somewhere between 50% to 55%. Let look at the humidity at different countries and region

Humidity Level and Temperature
Singapore, Malaysia and most parts of Asia – 80% (peaking over 95%) experience high humidity all year round, hot
Dubai – 60% , hot
Sydney, Australia – 57% , Seasonal
Melbourne, Australia – 53%, Seasonal
New York, USA – 55%, Seasonal
San Franscisco, USA – 62% , Seasonal

Heat and humidity in Singapore, Malaysia and most parts of Asia creates a conducive environment for the growth of mold on leather. This explain why it is important to store your handbag in an airy area. If you planning to store it in your closet or wardrobe, get one of those dehumidifier to reduce the humidity. Avoid direct sunlight as it is harmful to the leather and may cause color oxidization on the leather.

If you are in US, Europe or Dubai where weather is dry and humidity is low at times. It is important to condition your leather once a while. Moisturizing will prevent it from drying out, resulting in wrinkling and flaking. Even though temperature is low during winter, mildew can also be a problem during the winter months when conditions are just right.

The optimal growth temperature range for molds is 77°F to 88°F (20°C to 30°C), though some growth may occur anywhere between 32°F to 95°F (0°C to 35°C). Mildew requires moisture. The optimal growth range for mildew is 70 to 93 percent relative humidity (RH).

It important to understand depending where you are located, the way to care, store and maintain your leather handbag is different. In places where humidity is lower than 45%, you will runs the risk of drying out the leather and in places where humidity is 70% to 93% you will run the risk of mold spots forming on your leather bag.

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Dust Bag
Remember to always keep your handbag in a dust bag to avoid dirt and dust.

If your handbag does not come with one. Use a pillow case as an alternative, make sure you choose one that is light in color, preferably white to avoid color transfer. It is also important to make sure that your do not seal the dust bag complete, allow a small gap to allow the leather to breathe.

Keep it in shape
It is important to keep your handbag to maintain the shape and contour of the bag. A “Slouching” bag that collapse onto itself may cause crinkle in the folded area and lose its shape overtime.

Stuff the bag with a pillow to keep it in shape else stuff it with Acid-free tissue paper.

Do not stuff your leather bag with magazine or newspaper unless you want the carbon or color to transfer to the interior of your bag.

• Don’t store/stack your bags directly next to each other to avoid color dye transfer.
• Don’t store your handbag too long, use it frequently else bring it out to air once a while.

Click Here for tips on how to prevent your handbag from turning moldy