How to Care for Your Pre-Owned Chanel Bags
The fashion house started by Coco Chanel has become one of the most powerful luxury labels in the world. Owning any of its esteemed products – from the latest collections to pre-owned Chanel bags and accoutrements – surely fills a stylish individual with pride.
That is why, whether you have a classic Chanel bag made of lambskin, velvet, or intricate patchwork detail, you would likely want to keep it in good condition. Brand new or pre-loved, these Chanel bags not only serve as eye candy, but as valuable fashion investments as well.
Chanel Care
A Chanel bag is undoubtedly a style statement. From classic flap bags to the more contemporary collections, toting one speaks volumes about your fashion taste. Owning one, however, entails some level of responsibility. Just as you use only the best skin care products to take care of your skin, you should also extend the same level of attention and devotion to these pretty and priceless purses.
Here are some of the top care tips that will help ensure your pre-owned Chanel handbags stay in tip-top shape:
1. Wear Them Well
One of the best ways to keep your Chanel bag in excellent condition is to be mindful when carrying it around.
Make sure that you do not overfill your handbag. Doing so will help you preserve the elegant lines and shape of your Chanel. This is especially true if you’re toting a structured bag like the Chanel Trendy or Chanel Boy.
While holding your Chanel bag, try to avoid prolonged contact with dark or raw materials that can bleed onto its leather or textile. Also, be mindful of color transfer as dark textiles and raw denim can leave persistent marks.
2. Protect Them From Harm
Keep in mind that when you have a luxurious item such as a Chanel bag, prevention is better than cure.
Protect your Chanel bags from prolonged exposure to artificial light, sunlight, and humidity. Avoid exposing these to acetone, oils, perfume, and water. Some luxury bag owners even go as far as purchasing a bag raincoat or waterproof bag cover just to keep it safe from accidental spills and the elements.
It’s best not to set your Chanel bag down on the ground to avoid scratches. When on the go, watch out for possible bumping, scraping, or scratching on rugged and rough surfaces.
Put sharp or spillable objects such as keys, nail files, or perfume in a separate pouch. If you want, you can also consider using a bag organizer to keep your things in place. It will also help protect the interior of the bag from accidents such as uncapped pens or lipstick.
3. Clean Your Bags (but not too much)
Giving your bag a regular spa day will go a long way in preserving its pristine state. You can do it yourself, especially if there are no significant issues. You can also bring it to a bag cleaning expert for a thorough clean or to address concerns like stains and scuffs.
If you’re doing it yourself, avoid using harsh detergents or care products that may change the finish of your bag. Ask your Chanel store for specific care instructions to avoid damaging your bag. For example, there might be bag conditioners that are recommended for the particular textile of your Chanel.
When cleaning, use a soft cloth and gently rub in a circular motion. A gentle sued brush or dry microfiber cloth is best for delicate leathers like nubuck suede, quilted calfskin, or varnished patent. Try giving it a bag spa treatment every one or two years as well. Remember, though, that extensive cleaning can also make the metallic coating fade, so clean with care.
To clean classic leathers like ultra-smooth calfskin or soft-pebbled Caviar, use a dry microfiber cloth for grooming and a high-quality leather conditioner to nourish the material. Likewise, you must handle Chanel bags made of delicate fabrics such as canvas, denim, silk brocade, or velvet with utmost care. You can use a gentle brush or textile roller for occasional cleaning, but it’s best to hand it to a professional cleaner.
Chanel also has bags that use extremely delicate materials such as hand-woven wicker, fluffy shearling, and shiny plexiglass. While Chanel discontinued using exotic leather in their collections in 2018, you can still see pre-owned Chanel bags made of lizard, python, or stingray skins. These materials need extra loving care and attention and, often, is best handled by professional bag cleaners. However, for the occasional grooming, you can use a dry microfiber cloth. Keep in mind to also brush along the scales and not against them.
4. Store Them Properly
Another tip that you should mind is to provide the proper environment when storing your Chanel handbag. For example, your storage area should be kept away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Use acid-free tissue paper to stuff your Chanel bag to keep its shape carefully. Store your structured bag in an upright position. Keep the chain well-padded and store it inside the bag to avoid imprinting on the leather.
Make good use of the dust bag that comes with your Chanel to protect it while in storage. If you still have the original box, you can also store it there.
5. Appreciate The Aging Process
Chanel fans would attest to how a Chanel bag ages gracefully with proper care. A black lambskin flap bag, for example, will develop a luxurious sheen over the years. Some bags will develop a patina as you use them. Appreciate this natural progression as it reveals a new facet of your handbag’s unique beauty and history.
Chanel Enjoyment
Owning a Chanel bag could be one of life’s joys, especially for bag collectors and enthusiasts. The way you wear your handbag and how you clean and store them are instrumental in ensuring that you will enjoy owning one of the most desired bags in the world for a much longer time. Plus, if you feel like swapping it for another bag, you can be sure that your pre-loved Chanel will fetch a reasonable price when you take it to a reputable online pre-owned bag shop.
