From The Straits Times    |

You’ve made that big splurge on a new designer bag and you love it to bits. Alas, you’ve already gotten some spots on it – just within the week that you’ve bought it. Even your favourite designer bag looks quite dull and dirty too.

Not to worry; these service providers can clean up your luxe bags with the right chemicals and methods. They’ll take care to pack it well too, so your bag will be in tip-top shape when it gets back to you. We’d tried these four professional bag cleaning services:

Review: Bag cleaning services in Singapore

Calf leather jucca tote bag, $498, from Furla. Photography: Darren Chang, Art direction: Kathleen Chan

1. We love: The Bag & Shoe Aesthetics

Verdict: 9/10. Efficient and effective, with reasonable prices.
The cleaning professional was friendly, and revealed that they treat the bags with chemicals specially formulated for leather. They handled the delicate material of the bag impressively; colour transfer stains were greatly lightened and only visible upon close examination. The metal tags on the bag were also polished to a shine. The bag was returned stuffed with paper to maintain its shape and the interior was sprinkled with scented beads, which was a nice touch.

Where: #02-27 Singapore Shopping Centre, Tel: 6336 6034, website: www.tbsa.com.sg.
Opening Hours: 11.30am-7.30pm on Mondays to Fridays; 11.30am-3.30pm on Saturdays
Price: From $30 (2-3 days), extra $5-10 for express service (1 day)

2. Bag Spa

Verdict: 7.5/10. Thorough consultation, with an added sanitising service.

The cleaning professional clearly explained what could and could not be done, so I knew what to expect. They dry-clean bags with their inhouse cleansers and then disinfect them. After cleaning, the bag was returned in an eco-friendly shopping bag. It was crisp, slightly stiff and much cleaner and brighter. It looked less worn out than before, although there was a strip of light-coloured fabric that was not as clean as I would have liked it.

Where: #02-39 International Plaza, Tel: 6222 9556, website: www.bagspa.com.
Opening Hours: 11am-7pm on Mondays to Fridays; 11am-4pm on Saturdays
Price: From $35 (7-10 days), extra 50 per cent for express service (3-4 days)

3. Cleanique

Verdict: 6.5/10. Cleaned reasonably well, except for stubborn stains.

The cleaning professional examined the stains thoroughly and told me what to expect after they clean each type of stain on the bag. She also explained that fabric bags would come in contact with water and chemicals during the cleaning process. The bag was much cleaner and brighter, and stains were significantly lightened although as expected, stubborn stains were not entirely removed. After cleaning, the bag did not smell as nice as the other bags.

Where: #02-97C Lucky Plaza, Tel: 6887 3513. www.cleanique.com.sg.
Opening Hours: 11.30am-8pm on Mondays to Sundays
Price: From $40 (subject to schedule), extra 50 per cent for express service (1 week)

4. Le’ Shine

Verdict: 7/10. Stains were lightened considerably, but it takes the longest time of the lot.
The cleaning professional at the crowded outlet did not explain the results I could expect as thoroughly as I would have liked. But their website has details on how they clean, vacuum and disinfect the bags. Denim stains were significantly lightened, but still visible on close inspection; I was told it might be due to the crumpling of the material. The bag was returned stuffed with paper to maintain its shape.

Where: #02-75 Far East Plaza, Tel: 6735 5266, website: www.mybagspa.com.
Opening Hours: 12-7pm on Mondays to Sundays
Price: From $40 (3-4 weeks), extra 50 per cent for express service (within 2 weeks)


Bag care tips from Le’ Shine:

    •    Store bags in separate dust bags to keep them dry and to prevent mould from growing on them.
    •    To dry a wet bag, dab it with a dry cloth and blow-dry it as soon as possible.
    •    Wear sleeved outfits when carrying bags on your shoulders. Perspiration can speed up the wear-and-tear of the strap.

This article was originally published in SimplyHer April 2011.