How to store a leather handbag in Indian humidity: silica gel, dust bag and airing

Damp, still air is what spoils leather bags in an Indian monsoon, so storage matters as much as cleaning. This routine keeps a stored handbag dry, in shape and free of the white spots that mean trouble.

Make sure the bag is completely dry, stuff it lightly with paper, slip it into a cotton dust bag and keep it on an open, airy shelf away from damp walls and sunlight. Never seal leather in plastic. A few silica gel sachets on the shelf and a quick airing every couple of weeks during the rains help keep moisture from building up.

• 1. Empty it and brush off the dust: Take everything out of every pocket, including receipts, tissues and coins, and turn the lining out if you can. Brush the outside gently with a soft-bristled brush to lift dust from seams and corners. Dust and crumbs hold moisture, which is exactly what you do not want in a closed cupboard.
• 2. Let it dry out fully: If the bag has been out in the rain or used on a humid day, leave it open in a room with a fan running for a few hours before packing it away. Keep it out of harsh direct sun and never use a hair dryer, which can dry the leather until it cracks. It should feel cool and dry to the touch, including inside.
• 3. Stuff it to hold its shape: Fill the bag loosely with tissue or clean paper, pushing a little into each corner so the sides do not cave in and crease. Stop when it holds its shape without bulging. Hidesign suggests rolled newspaper, but on pale leather plain paper is safer as newsprint ink can rub off.
• 4. Take off long straps and chains: Unclip detachable shoulder straps and lay them flat beside the bag. Wrap metal chains or heavy buckles in a bit of tissue so they do not press into the leather. Avoid hanging the bag from its handles for months, as the weight can stretch them.
• 5. Put it in a cotton dust bag, never plastic: Slide the bag into a breathable cotton dust bag that fits it. Plastic covers and airtight boxes trap any moisture inside with the leather, which is how mould starts in the monsoon. A dust bag also keeps out light and stops scuffs.
• 6. Add silica gel to the shelf: Place two or three silica gel sachets on the shelf or in a corner of the cupboard near the bag. Keep them from resting directly on the leather for long periods. Replace them, or dry them out as the pack instructs, once the indicator beads change colour.
• 7. Choose an airy spot: Store the bag upright on an open, well-aired shelf rather than squeezed into a closed, humid corner. Keep it away from bathroom walls, outer walls that get damp in the rains, and windows where afternoon sun falls. Give each bag its own space instead of stacking them on top of each other.
• 8. Air it out every couple of weeks in the rains: On a dry day, take the bag out of its dust bag, open it up and let it sit in a ventilated room for an hour or so. Look over the corners, base and lining for any white bloom or musty smell. Catching it early makes cleaning far easier.
• 9. Condition it if it looks dry: Leather can look dull and feel dry after a long spell in storage, especially once the air turns dry in winter. Massage in a little of your brand's leather cream with a soft cloth, after a patch test on a hidden spot. Let it absorb fully before the bag goes back in its dust bag.