-Dust your bags with an old cotton t-shirt or a soft microfibre cloth once every one or two weeks, even if you won’t use them. This helps keep dust and dirt from building up and either staining it permanently or fading its color.

– Clean leather with a leather cleaner and moisturizer to keep it from cracking. You can find those at supermarkets and they’re widely used for cleaning leather couches and other garments but will do wonders with your bag. Just make sure it is suitable for all colors and use it as per directions.

– You can also use alcohol-free baby wipes to clean your leather bag.

– Use a water repellent to waterproof your dark-colored bags, try Scothguard, for instance, if you are prone to rain or simply cannot control your drinks. Do not be tempted to do the same with lighter colors like cream or bright colors, it might stain or darken the color, so stick to browns or blacks only.

– Clean suede bags using a crepe suede brush or a horsehair suede brush. You can also cover the bag lightly in talcum powder then brush or vacuum it. Buy a suede shoe cleaner and brush with it lightly to brighten up colors and remove stains.

– You can also spray your suede bag with suede protectors to prevent stains and prolong its life.

– Canvas bags are the easiest to clean, simply dab a soft brush in water and soap and work in circular motions around the bag.

– You can clean the insides of your bag using a a damp sponge and mild soap.

– If your leather bag is stained  try using Pledge for the stained area.

– Try a little hairspray to get rid of pen marks.

– Use a rubber eraser in a circular motion to get stains off suede.

– You can also use white vinegar on a clean, dry cloth to spot-clean suede.

– If your zipper is stuck, try running a bar soap over it or a candle, make sure you don’t stain the surrounding fabric.

Next: Our final tips to keep you bag clean and in good shape