Step 1. Clean your handbags before storing.
When you use your handbag, it is natural that it gets soiled with your body’s oils and the surrounding dirt. Therefore, cleaning it is particularly important prior to storage. You should first empty out the contents, then using appropriate cleaning products according to the material of your handbag to clean it. For a softer bag construction, you can turn it inside out to clean or use a lint roller for those of a sturdier make. Make sure to talk to your handbag seller about which cleaning supplies are best suited to the material of your handbag.
Step 2: Stuff your handbags to retain the shape.
Once your handbags are clean (and dry!), stuff your handbags so that it retains the shape, especially for those made of skin. For handbags that are used rarely, ensure that the hardware such as the buckles and zippers are wrapped with tissue paper so that they don’t make imprints on the surface of your bag. For the stuffing, you could use a small pillow, acid-free tissue paper, or bubble wrap.
Step 3: Cover them in breathable dust bags.
Usually, handbags come in breathable dust bags when you purchase them. Keep them so that you can store your handbags inside when they are not in use. Otherwise, you could use a cotton pillowcase of a neutral colour to avoid colour transfer. Your dust bags should be big enough to accommodate your handbag without distorting it out of shape.
Step 4: Place them on flat surfaces.
Store your handbags inside the box they came in. If you do not have a box, store them in storage boxes that you can purchase from hardware shops. Or else, place them on a flat surface, like a shelf. Never hang up your handbags, as this will cause the handles to distort out of shape. Many are not aware about where to store their handbags properly and end up destroying a handbag that would otherwise be functional for a longer time yet.
Step 5: Keep them away from sunlight.
It is important to know how to keep your handbags in a place that ensures that they will not get damaged from long storage. Avoid placing your handbags in direct sunlight, which can damage the material, making it fade and crack. A dark and dry closet is ideal, but any place that is dry and away from sunlight will do. A dehumidifier in the storage area can ensure that your handbags are not in a moist environment.