To own a Chanel handbag is a luxury not everyone in this world will get to experience. Those who are lucky enough to own an expensive Chanel bag it is imperative to take steps to ensure your item is properly cared for. The resale luxury market has never been more popular as brand lovers have increased accessibility to their favorite handbags.

Here are some Top Tips to maintain your bags pristine condition !

New Handbags

1. Your purchase at the Chanel shop will usually include a complimentary microfiber glove to clean your bag with. It is advised that most sales assistants employed at Chanel not to use sprays and waterproof products on any of the new bags. This will ensure that you do not alter the original state of the leather. CHANEL also states in their care booklet to not use any other products other than the microfiber glove that comes with the bags to care for the leathers
2. Avoid causing damage to your Chanel Handbag by avoiding contact with water and rubbing against other fabric materials. To maintain your bags shape and condition be more conscious of how you handle your handbag . It is suggested that your handbag is stored in a room that isn’t humid to avoid molding you can also use a dehumidifier or a pack of charcoal to help with the atmosphere in your storage room if you are having problems with the heat.
3. The way your handbag is positioned when in storage is important to maintain it’s original shape. It is advised on to sit your Chanel bag upright as this can cause your handbag to wilt and cause cause damage to it’s structure. The original dust bag that your bag came with is to provide the extra protection that your bag needs , remember to always store your bag in this dust bag. We know it can be tempting to leave your precious baby out just to stare at it!
4. Always track the weather prior to leaving your home with your expensive handbag. If there is a prediction for rain during the day , it is suggested that you lower your risk of damaging your item by leaving it at home and take a less expensive item out. If you have a handbag raincoat then you are most certainly should put that raincoat on your baby prior to taking her out for a spin!

Preloved Handbags

You scored that gorgeous bag you’ve been eyeing on the preloved market for a while . Now that beautiful handbag is here but it has some signs of previous use in the form of grime that you can clearly live without!

Gentle Cleaning . Chemical Free Option.

1. Grab a micro fiber cloth that can be easily bough at your local supermarket or unscented chemical free baby wipes.
2. Wipe down the signs of scuffs and marks gently. Do a patch test prior to wiping down your handbag to avoid any possible damages. Wait for your patch to dry and check your patch test results. If there are no damages and your bag looks cleaner then you may go ahead and wipe down the rest of your handbag.
3. Condition your bag with a good leather conditioner to retain moisture and supple bag condition.

Harder To Clean Dirt And Grime

Sales assistants at the House of Chanel will always advise you to never use chemicals on your handbags. This is to avoid any possible damage to the leather. However, in instances where there is a sense of desperation as some of us may find ourselves in. There are a couple of methods that can be improvised for safely cleaning while maintaining the original leather condition. This must be carried out with caution and with a patch test as advised earlier.

1. Wipe down gently with micro fiber cloth or chemical free baby wipes as instructed above.

Chemical Solution Options for Cleaning and Conditioning

Here are a list of solutions for your cleaning options

1. Chanel Re-Issue and Flap Bag : Vectra and shinning monkey sprays r pretty safe to use n reissue n flap.
2. Lambskin leather : Cadillac leather lotion although keep in mind most people believe that there are no safe chemical cleaning solutions for lambskin however meltonian has been used and recommended for only black bags and not colored bags.
3. Patent leather bags can be cleaned with Columbus Neo Cleaner and meltonian cleaner and conditioner.
4. Cavier leather can be cleaned with Cadillac leather lotion , Columbus NEO cleaner and Meltonian cleaner and conditioner. Meltonian is also waterproof and is known to clean and condition your handbag at the same time! Now that’s magical! Meltonian also does not have a horrible odor. Meltonian is recommended for only black bags .

Cleaning varies for each type of bag model so be extremely careful when applying cleaning chemical solutions to your expensive handbags and always remember to do your patch test.

List of Products

1. Apple guard conditioner
2. Cadillac boot & shoe care lotion
3. Meltonian cleaner
4. Columbus NEO cleaner
5. Shining monkey fabric protector for after care protection and waterproofing .

Shining monkey fabric protector for after care protection and waterproofing

How to apply chemical cleaning solution to your handbag

1. Apply small amount on a micro fiber cloth and immediately proceed to buff .
2. Do your patch test
3. Do not soak your handbag with the chemical you are using.
4. Apply a fabric protector to protect and waterproof your leather handbag.