How do we disinfect our handbags and wallets?

[chkpfbeliever]

I used the Lysol wipes as @QuelleFromage suggested for my new-to-me GP yesterday and it withstood the test. The Negonda leather does not appear dry after and leaves a fresh scent. I think it depends on the leather. For tougher ones like country, Negonda, Epsom and Togo/Clemence, it may be okay. Not sure about box leather.

The Lysol wipes also did not cause any color loss as I couldn't see the wipe getting stained.

 

[Skej]

I wonder if steam cleaning is as effective on leather goods as it is on clothes and soft furnishing?

 

[QuelleFromage]

I used the Lysol wipes as @QuelleFromage suggested for my new-to-me GP yesterday and it withstood the test. The Negonda leather does not appear dry after and leaves a fresh scent. I think it depends on the leather. For tougher ones like country, Negonda, Epsom and Togo/Clemence, it may be okay. Not sure about box leather.

The Lysol wipes also did not cause any color loss as I couldn't see the wipe getting stained.

Ack! I said Lexol wipes. Lysol wipes are definitely better disinfectants but I would worry about the bag. I'm glad yours is fine.
I figure since soap breaks the membrane of the virus, even just Lexol (which is a leather cleaner) would do a good job.

Congratulations on the GP by the way, we are twins on the bag. Such a great workhorse.

 

[chrissiewong]

My gosh, I hope anyone that feels the need to sanitize their bags is also changing clothes (putting what they were wearing directly in the wash) and ideally taking a shower as soon as they get inside. Stay safe everyone!

Yes, I do take a shower and wash my clothes every time I return from somewhere crowded and full of people. I guess the only reason why people would think there isn’t a need to disinfect their bags is because they drive once they left their house, go somewhere less crowded and just walk around and not touch anything. It’s hard to do so when you have take public transport or when you go to a restaurant and put your bag on a surface.

However, I wonder how many H owners would take public transport...

 

[QuelleFromage]

Yes, I do take a shower and wash my clothes every time I return from somewhere crowded and full of people. I guess the only reason why people would think there isn’t a need to disinfect their bags is because they drive once they left their house, go somewhere less crowded and just walk around and not touch anything. It’s hard to do so when you have take public transport or when you go to a restaurant and put your bag on a surface.

However, I wonder how many H owners would take public transport...

I don't want to go way off topic here but quite a lot of Hermes owners take public transport.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

I don't let other people touch them. I take public transportation (it's free for me at my age).

 

[CEC.LV4eva]

I have not seen leather being tested as one of the surfaces in which COVID-19 studies were performed, but not only so, there are many different types of leather, grains, and added surface textures/varnishes. So it would be very challenging to test on all these different types of leather. However, what I can say is that leather is made of natural porous material. The more porous the material is, the more likely it is able to catch onto droplets that may contain the virus, eg. Someone sneezes on or by contact should someone touch the bag, there will be transmission. Fomite transmission is also possible, eg. Go to a restaurant, rest your bag on a contaminated surface.
So the underlying theme is the same, you need to limit contact, the closer in proximity you are to someone else who may have or carry the virus, the more likely there may be transmission of some form. We all need to be socially responsible. Do not go out, period. If you must, avoid plastic-like materials as the virus appears to live on this surface the longest as per the New England Journal of Medicine. As such, Epsom or coated leather (Prada’s Saffiano, LVs Epi) and coated canvases (LV, Goyard) *MAY* be the worst (I also imagine the more grooves and non-smooth surfaces can harbor more viruses). Having said all this, I would not recommend any alcohol wipes as the virus will “die” after a few days. So you do not need to do any further intervention as long as no further transmission is made.
The best would be to use bags that can be washed as soon as you return home, put in the laundry, high temperature and dry on high.

 

[loves]

I use anti bacterial wipes on my epsom and chèvre slgs. So far so good, dry them out and then leather wipes to condition. Been doing this for years (slgs only).

Now I clean my clemence pieces this way too. My old tadelakt bag that is marked beyond recognition gets the same treatment and so far so good.

I am only treating my exotics with kid gloves. Especially the shiny ones.

I don’t take public transport these days because I don’t venture out of my neighbourhood so I walk everywhere under the blazing hot sun. If I had to commute I would just leave all leather bags at home and carry a machine washable bag instead.

 

[Hermes Nuttynut]

Cash? What’s cash? How do you disinfect plastic?

 

[fice16]

I use anti bacterial wipes on my epsom and chèvre slgs. So far so good, dry them out and then leather wipes to condition. Been doing this for years (slgs only).

Now I clean my clemence pieces this way too. My old tadelakt bag that is marked beyond recognition gets the same treatment and so far so good.

I have been disinfecting my epsom bearn wallet using Clorox Disinfecting wipes too. No issue so far.

 

[thewave1969]

I'm not using my H bags, but besides C/C cards, what about cash? That's probably the dirtiest thing around, I've been wondering about cash in my wallet.......

I heard that the virus can stay alive up for 24 hours on cardboard and paper. Just wear disposable blue gloves when out or use lots of hand sanitizer, donate the coins at the cash register then let your paper cash sit for 24 hours in your wallet or spray a dab of lysol on it when you go back home.

 

[Iffi]

At the moment I do not use may B or K and all the other H bags anymore, I put them all back in the box
I thought - when I reopen the boxes in 1-2 month (or hope not 3 or more month) the virus do not survive that long time.
Or am I wrong?

 

[skybluesky]

At the moment I do not use may B or K and all the other H bags anymore, I put them all back in the box
I thought - when I reopen the boxes in 1-2 month (or hope not 3 or more month) the virus do not survive that long time.
Or am I wrong?

Probably should be fine after that. I'm doing the same with my B and C (socially distancing them from society).

 

[Daosabao]

Everytime I return home I wipe my bag with a soft cloth including the ‘studs’ below the bag. I’m sooooo thankful Hermès bags have studs! At least the whole bag bottom is not resting on a surface or the floor. I am simply unable to use any bags without studs at the bottom now.

I wash the cloth after that. It’s not ideal, but it makes me feel better. When there’s sun I’ll sun the bags for a while too.

You can minimize the use of credit cards if you have Apple Pay just save them all in your iPhone wallet. Love my Apple Watch so much now.

These days I feel I’m better off carrying a groceries canvas tote bag - at least I can wash them. In fact my groceries bag is my most frequently used bag now that everybody is taking turns to work from home and I’m even staying home on weekends now, minimizing dining out. I am seriously rethinking my priorities - no need to think of the ‘next bag offer’ for a long time.

 

[allywchu1]

The best is to keep the nice bags at home. I switch to canvas bags and use Apple Pay most of the time to avoid taking my cardholder/ wallet in and out. Phone is cleaned daily using 75% alcohol and cardholder weekly. My cardholder / wallet are made in natural leather and seem alright with alcohol. Bags and jacket are aired the first thing home. Obviously use hand sanitizer often and not place my belongs on floor or surface I’m not comfortable with. I also bring along alcohol wipes and clean table before I eat or work on.

We’ve been paying extra attention to personal hygiene, wearing mask, avoid social gathering since Jan. Everyone does their part. Be vigilant not panic. This will be over