When it comes to properly storing and protecting your handbag collection, one of the most important considerations is whether to use plastic bags or dust bags. Both materials offer certain benefits when used for handbag storage, so it is worth examining the pros and cons of each to determine which option may work best for your needs.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about storing handbags in plastic vs. dust bags:
- Plastic bags are transparent, allowing you to easily see bag contents. Dust bags obscure view of contents.
- Plastic provides visibility to monitor for insects, dust, or damage. Dust bags require physically opening to inspect bags.
- Plastic bags are inexpensive and readily available. Dust bags are more specialized and cost more.
- Dust bags are thicker, offer more protection, and are often acid-free/archival quality. Plastic is thin and can tear.
- Dust bags allow bags to breathe while plastic traps in moisture and can cause mold. However, dust bags allow more dust inside.
- Most professional handbag collectors and luxury brands recommend dust bags for storage due to their protection and breathability.
- For long-term storage, dust bags are typically the better choice. For short-term storage, some prefer clear plastic to easily view contents.
- Using both bags together provides visibility of plastic with the protection and breathability of a dust bag.
Advantages of Plastic Bags for Storing Handbags
Here are some of the main benefits that plastic bags can offer for handbag storage:
- Visibility – Clear plastic allows you to easily see the contents of the bag without having to open the storage bag itself. This makes it easier to identify and access a specific bag when needed.
- Monitoring for issues – With plastic, you can visually inspect for any insects, dust, or other damage that may be occurring to the handbag while in storage. Dust bags require physically opening each one to monitor the bag.
- Inexpensive and accessible – Plastic bags are mass-produced and readily available at most retail stores. Dust bags are more specialized and cost more per bag.
- Reusable – Plastic storage bags can be reused multiple times if kept in good condition. Dust bags tend to get dirty over time and may need replacing.
- Stackable space-savings – Plastic bags easily fold and stack, allowing efficient storage. The thickness of dust bags takes up more space.
- Moisture retention – Plastic minimizes moisture loss, which can help prevent the bag leather from drying out in storage. However, too much moisture can also encourage mold growth.
Disadvantages of Plastic Bags
Some of the potential downsides to using plastic bags for handbag storage include:
- Tears easily – Plastic is relatively thin and lightweight. It can tear over time with normal use, leaving bag contents exposed.
- Traps in moisture – While plastic minimizes moisture loss, it can also trap excess moisture inside the bag. This can lead to mold growth.
- Allows dust – While offering visibility, plastic does not protect as well against dust accumulation on stored bags.
- Static cling – Plastic tends to build up static electricity. This can attract more dust and lint to adhere to bag surfaces.
- Not acid-free – Plastic does not offer acid-free, archival level protection for long-term storage. It may interact negatively with leather over decades.
- Less protection – Overall, the thin plastic does not protect as well against bumps, crushing, light exposure, temperature swings, etc. compared to thicker, specialized dust bags.
Advantages of Dust Bags
Here are some of the advantages offered by dust bags for handbag storage:
- Good protection – Dust bags are made from dense material that protects better against dust, insects, crushing, light damage, etc. Many are acid-free and safe for long-term use.
- Breathability – The fabric construction allows air flow so bags can breathe. This reduces moisture build up and risk of mold growth.
- High quality materials – Dust bags are specialized products often made with tightly woven high quality cotton or muslin material. Many meet archival standards for preservation.
- Designed for storage – They are designed specifically for bag and accessory storage needs with features like drawstring closures. Plastic bags are generic multi-use.
- Professional recommendations – Most professional handbag collectors, luxury brands, museums, etc. recommend dust bags as the storage method of choice for valued bags.
- Reusable and replaceable – Good quality dust bags hold up well to reuse. When needed, individual soiled bags can be replaced without having to replace all bags.
Disadvantages of Dust Bags
Some potential disadvantages of dust bags include:
- Obscured visibility – Unlike clear plastic, you cannot see the bag contents in a dust bag without opening it up. Harder to quickly ID a specific bag.
- Monitoring requires opening – To check for any issues like insects or damage, each dust bag needs to be opened individually since contents are not visible.
- Initial cost – Dust bags cost more per bag than inexpensive plastic bags. However, higher quality and reusability can offset costs long-term.
- Occupies more space – The thickness of fabric dust bags takes up more storage space. Plastic bags can be compressed more.
- Absorbs moisture and odors – The fabric can absorb excess moisture and perspiration odors over time, requiring occasional replacements and washing.
- Allows some dust – While offering more protection than plastic, some very fine dust particles can still enter through the fabric weave.
Key Considerations for Plastic vs. Dust Bags
Here are some additional factors to help decide between plastic and dust bags:
- Long-term vs short-term storage – Dust bags are recommended for archival, long-term storage spanning years. Some may prefer plastic for temporary storage of a season or less.
- Bag value – More expensive designer bags warrant the cost of quality dust bags for protection. Cheaper bags can manage with plastic bags.
- Breathability needs – Do any bags require more breathability due to moisture risks? Leather bags benefit from dust bag air circulation.
- Monitoring requirements – Are clear bags needed to easily monitor for insects or damage? Or is occasional inspection sufficient?
- Space constraints – Is storage space at a premium? Plastic bags take up less room overall.
- Combination approach – Using plastic bags inside dust bags offers both visibility and protection. However, breathability is reduced.
Plastic Bag Materials and Features
If opting to use plastic bags for handbag storage, here are some recommended materials and features to look for:
- 2 mil thickness or higher for durability
- Polyethylene plastic for chemical stability
- Zipper seal bags to fully enclose contents
- Acid-free plastic films if archival storage is needed
- Repelling static electricity to discourage dust collection
- Clear plastic for maximum visibility of contents
- Moisture and odor barrier films to protect against mold
- Bags sized appropriately for each handbag type
Avoid plastic bags that seem flimsy, thin, or low quality as they will likely tear or fail over time. Also be cautious of polyethylene bags treated with chemical softeners or plasticizers, as these may interact negatively with leather over decades.
Dust Bag Materials and Features
When selecting dust bags, look for bags made with these recommended materials and characteristics:
- Tightly woven, high thread count cotton or muslin
- Acid-free, archival quality materials
- Drawstring closure to fully enclose bag
- Opaque fabric that protects against light damage
- Thicker density fabric for protection against abrasion
- Coated fabric for enhanced dust resistance while allowing airflow
- Tannin-free cotton to prevent leather damage
- Strong seams and stitching to avoid rupturing
- Large enough to fully contain handbag with minimal folding
Avoid low quality dust bags that seem thin, loosely woven, or too small. Look for bags designed specifically for storage rather than multipurpose bags or old pillowcases.
How Luxury Designers Store Handbags
Many high-end luxury brands use archival quality dust bags to store their handbags. Here are some examples:
- Hermès – Offers high quality dustbags made of thick, softly woven muslin cotton. Their iconic orange color coordinates with Hermès box packaging.
- Louis Vuitton – Dustbags feature the LV monogram canvas on one side. They are made of tightly woven, durable cotton.
- Chanel – Each bag includes a black dustbag with interlocking CC logo. Bags are stored in climate-controlled archives.
- Gucci – Gucci bags come with a gray or black dustbag showing the Gucci logo. Materials are cotton or linen.
- Prada – Uses dustbags made of high quality cotton with the Prada logo. Some bags include matching drawstring pouches.
- Burberry – Features their classic check pattern on dustbags made from cotton canvas material.
These luxury brands invest in high quality dustbags both to protect the bags in storage and enhance the unboxing experience for clients. The presentation conveys greater value and care.
Recommended Storage Practices
In addition to choosing either plastic or dust bags, here are some other recommended practices for properly storing handbags:
- Avoid direct light exposure by storing bags in a closet or box. Light causes fading and damage over time.
- Maintain cool, dry conditions. Excess moisture encourages mold while dryness cracks leather.
- Stuff bags with acid-free tissue paper to retain shape and absorb moisture.
- Store bags upright rather than stacked flat to avoid distortion of shape.
- Clean bags thoroughly before storage using leather-appropriate cleaners.
- Use cedar blocks, lavender sachets or natural insect repellents to deter pests.
- Unwrap any buckles, straps, or hardware to prevent imprinting on bag surfaces.
- Inspect bags periodically for any signs of insects, mold, or deterioration during storage.
Following these practices along with proper storage bags will help preserve handbags in optimal condition, protecting their beauty and value over many years of storage.
Conclusion
While both plastic and dust bags offer certain benefits, dust bags provide maximum protection for valuable handbags that require long-term storage. Their breathability, thickness, and archival-safe materials make them the top choice of luxury brands, collectors, and handbag experts compared to plastic.
Clear plastic bags can still be a suitable option for shorter term storage where easy visibility of contents is needed. Or plastic can be used inside dust bags to get the benefits of both materials. But for archival preservation spanning decades, investing in quality acid-free dust bags is recommended to properly store and protect treasured handbags.
