Do

• Never use baby wipes, vinegar or other home remedy for cleaning or stain removal. Many of these products contain chemicals and substances that may damage the color, dry out the leather or create a build-up of grease
• Never use water on grease stains as this will worsen the condition of your item
• Avoid using saddle soap to clean your bags as it may cause discoloration

Don’t

• The key to removing ink marks is to treat them right away. Seek professional help as soon as possible. If you are unable to do so, try an ink removing product for leather. Follow the care instructions and make sure the stained area is conditioned and left to dry
• Always use the right product if you want your belongings to last. Note the active ingredients, and test it on a small, inconspicuous spot first

Quick fixes are just that; they may appear to remedy a stain for the short-term (if you’re lucky), but will almost definitely cause irreparable harm to the item in the long-run. If in doubt, and to be safe, bring affected items to a professional cleaner for consultation.

The post Do Home Remedies Work appeared first on Colorwash Indonesia.

Mold is a type of fungus. It can measure from two to 10 microns in diameter, and hence virtually invisible to the naked eye. When multiple mold spores grow closely together they then become visible as they spread rapidly across a surface, penetrating beneath the surface of the affected material.

Mildew can be described as a specific type of mold. It has flat growth that remains on the surface where it can be easily removed.

Here are a few things to keep in mind to combat mold:

Do

• Control humidity between 40 to 50% in storage areas. This can be done by ensuring proper ventilation and keeping your items in an air-conditioned environment
• Clean your item before storage
• Use a clean brush to scrub off as much of the mold as possible outdoors Dip a cloth in leather cleaner and rub the affected areas. Allow your item to dry fully
• Remove dustbags and boxes
• Stuff it with recycled newspaper wrapped in clean paper when not in use

Don’t

• Never wipe with a damp cloth as doing so promotes mold growth
• Never stuff soft toys or pillows inside the handbag for storage
• Never place mothballs nearby as its odor might remain permanently

The post Understanding and Managing Mold appeared first on Colorwash Indonesia.

Do

• Take a picture of the shoes and paste it on the box for easy reference
• Use a shoe tree to maintain the shape of your shoe
• Place a bag of charcoal inside the shoes to minimize humidity and odor
• Stuff your shoes with newspaper if they are wet and let them air dry in a cool place before storage
• Clean your shoes regularly using a leather cleaner before storing them

Don’t

• Never place different pairs of shoes too closely to each other as this can cause color transfer
• Never expose your shoes to sunlight or display lights for prolonged periods of time
• Avoid closing the lid on the shoebox. Keep it open for ventilation

The post How to Store Shoes appeared first on Colorwash Indonesia.

But how many people have thought of cleaning their bags regularly?

A study on bacteria on people’s bags was carried out by the University of Mauritius. It was a laboratory study that swabbed the purses and wallets from a sample of men and women to see what bacteria grew from them under culture.

The results – as published in scientific journal Advanced Biomedical Research – indicate that handbags are hardly ever washed and are often only thrown out when they become worn and unusable. What is often not considered is that they could be a breeding ground for bacteria. More than 90% of handbags have bacteria on them. In fact, all of the things we use in the environment around us, like mobile phones, computers, keyboards and other equipment, are all likely to carry bacteria.

What are the main sources of germs in a bag?

Surprisingly, the dirtiest item in an average handbag is hand cream. It carries more bacteria than the average toilet seat. Lipstick and mascara tubes also contain significant levels of bacteria. Additionally, leather handbags are also found to have carried the most bacteria because its spongy texture provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow.

At Colorwash, it’s common to see many types of unusual items in bags being brought to us for servicing and cleaning. Some bags contained anything from rotten mandarin oranges to insects like lizards, spiders and cockroaches (some living, some dead!). It sounds almost unbelievable, but we have experienced them all! This goes to show that general awareness of bacteria and bag hygiene among Singaporeans are still quite low.

How do germs transfer?

According to Peter Barratt, Technical Manager at Initial Hygiene, handbags come into regular contact with our hands and a variety of surfaces, so the risk of transferring different germs onto them is very high, especially as bags are rarely cleaned. Once these germs are on the bag, they can easily be transferred via hands to other surfaces.

What is the best way to minimize bacteria on your handbag?

Above all, prevention is better than cure. Good hygiene habits like regular hand sanitization and thorough cleaning of bags are recommended to prevent the build-up of bacteria. Cleaning your bag regularly removes not only dirt and stains but also bacteria, which cannot be seen by the naked eye.

The post How Dirty Can Our Handbags Be appeared first on Colorwash Indonesia.