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AS BRITAIN is lashed by a deluge of rain this week, many of us will be carrying our brollies with us everywhere for fear of being caught in a rainstorm.
Once you’re done with your umbrella, it can be tempting to just put it in your handbag until you need it again – but did you know this can cause damage?
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Storing everyday items in your bag can lead to stains, odors and wear and tear that you may not be able to undo.
With that in mind, fashion experts revealed five things you should never put in your handbag.
Umbrellas
Soggy umbrellas, or really any items that can become damp, should never be kept in your bag as the moisture can lead to mold and mildew.
“Suede is a delicate and porous material, made up of tiny hair fibers,” says Lulu O’Connor, CEO of Clothes Doctor.
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“Water, or wetness in general, can cause the hair bristles to become weak and thin, causing the quality of the material to break down over time.
Lulu explained that you can use specialist products such as suede brushes and erasers to treat damage.
However, if you want to avoid damage altogether, it is best to store your brolly in a plastic carrier bag.
Loose makeup
We’re all guilty of having loose tabs or powder in the depths of our handbags, but often these leak, which can lead to damage.
Make-up oils can cause permanent stains that are difficult to remove, and perfumes can penetrate the material and damage the lining.
To prevent makeup mishaps, Nia Davis, handbag design manager at Fiorelli, says: “Makeup can be a particularly tricky stain to remove due to its high oil content.
“So make sure you keep lipstick, bronzers and blush in a sealed makeup bag.”
Food
Have you ever felt the disgust after opening a handbag that you haven’t used in a while and realizing there was a banana peel inside?
Nia warned that you shouldn’t keep food in your bag, even if it’s sealed.
The four items that Kate Middleton carries in her handbag
THE Princess of Wales has just FOUR things in her handbag, according to author Marcia Moody, who wrote Kate: A Biography.
The items are all incredibly practical – and go some way to explaining how she always looks so fresh.
The first is a compact mirror, reports Mommy – presumably to check that her makeup is on and she doesn’t have food in her teeth.
Kate also carries a trusty lip balm, as well as a sheet of blotting paper – usually used to remove excess oil or sweat from the face.
The last item is a handkerchief. That’s right, no phone, no bag, nothing.
“Perishable foods and snacks are an absolute no,” she says.
“Even sealed snacks, like a granola bar, can crumble and leave a mess at the bottom of your bag.”
Perishable items, if left to rot, can cause bacteria to grow even after you remove the item.
If you’re packing a snack to get you through a long trip or a day of shopping, make sure you put it in a sealed Tupperware container before throwing it in your purse.
Sunscreen and hand sanitizer
They can be everyday life savers, but greasy products like sunscreen and hand sanitizer can be tricky to remove stains from our handbags.
Nia shared advice on how to remove these stains and suggested: “Dab any greasy areas immediately and then use a cleanser specifically designed for delicate materials/”
Lulu adds: “For leather, a simple wipe with a soft, dry cloth is usually sufficient. If deeper cleaning is required, it is important to use products formulated specifically for the unique handbag material.”
Hair brushes
Keeping a hairbrush at the bottom of your bag can be a godsend when the elements leave you looking alive as if you’ve been dragged through a bush backwards.
However, the sharp edges can poke through the holes in the lining of your bag and lead to damage.
Try using a foldable hairbrush instead, or keep your brush in a makeup bag.
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