art2love1: store: OPUS GAIA
CARING FOR PRECIOUS VINTAGE BAGS :
by one of your best sources for rare, antique, vintage and designer bags:
ART2LOVE1
BOHO LEATHER STRIPE BAG/ LAIMBOCK QUILTED LAMSKIN/ RARE 80s YVES SAINT LAURENT
Brighton Messenger bag/ 50s Crocodile briefcase/ 50s Empress Kelly bag
BAGS, PURSES, CLUTCHES - CARING FOR YOUR PRECIOUS VINTAGE COLLECTION
Hi all:
We have been collecting and now selling over 600 designer, antique and vintage bags. Most of the buyers know little about caring and restoring vintage or antique bags, so here are some very basic tips for the Leather/Leatherette/Synthetic kinds:
1. Keep bags away from heaters, direct sun and excessive moisture
2. Wrap your bags with either tissue paper (non-acid is best) or a clean cloth when not in use.
3. Clean the interior and make sure leftover lipstic; gum and old candies do not lurk around. These will eventually disintegrate and begin a slow decay in the bag
4. ALWAYS WIPE YOUR BAG CLEAN WITH A DAMP CLOTH and a bit of dishwashing liquid if there is stubborn dirt, followed by a gentle buff. Do not use paper towels - a soft cloth is always best!
5. To restore and maintain leather bags: have handy a similar colour shoe polish (I have blue, black, brown and tan always handy); and a VERY GOOD PASTE LEATHER CONDITIONER.
6. TOUCH up fading corners with some polish, minimally; Buff immediately
7. NOURISH the leather after it has been cleaned with the conditioner and let it REST FOR 24 HOURS before buffing it.
8. same applies to similie leather or leatherette - vintage bags of high quality WERE MADE FROM WONDERFUL and durable man-made leatherettes, and can live much longer if taken care of.
AND BEST OF ALL: TAKE YOUR BAGS OUT FOR A STROLL!!
CHAPTER 2 COMING SOON!
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Guide created: 03/20/07 (updated 05/24/09)

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