You’ve no idea how unhygienic your handbag is

We constantly hold smartphones, keys, bank cards and coins, and we’re forever placing them on cafe tables and letting them exchange hands. Before they end up back in our handbag again. Usually along with a used tissue, sometimes a half-eaten cereal bar, receipts, lip care products and hand cream.

Just reading that list makes me feel uneasy. And yet we constantly neglect our handbags when it comes to cleaning them. It’s not just the interior that’s scary. As we go about our day, the outside of the bag comes into contact with air pollution, bus and train seats, floors and table tops. It might even get exposed to toilet cubicles or food and drink splashes.

You could ignore the problem exists, or you can take this study as an opportunity to finally pay more attention to your handbag’s hygiene. The National Institute of Health examined a random sample of 145 (women and men’s) bags. The results found that bacteria was present in 95% of them.

Low-level germ growth was detected on 101 bags, moderate growth on 18 and high on 19. Meanwhile 68 showed a single type and 70 a mixed type of bacterial growth. Micrococci and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequently isolated bacteria, followed by Bacillus. The researchers also found that synthetic materials are more conducive to the formation and spread of bacteria than leather, for example.

How should I clean my bag and how often?

Interior:

• Empty and shake out the bag completely.
• Carefully vacuuming the inside helps get rid of the last crumbs and dust particles.
• Dip a microfibre cloth in lukewarm water with mild soap and a splash of vinegar essence. Use this to thoroughly wipe out all compartments.
• Then dab well with a towel and allow to air dry completely to prevent mould forming.
• Alongside vinegar, disinfectant sprays for textiles can protect against germs as long as the material isn’t too sensitive.

Exterior:

• For leather bags, use a special leather cleaner or a soft microfibre cloth with a bit of soapy water. Afterwards, the material will certainly appreciate a special leather care product.
• You might even be able to wash fabric handbags on a gentle cycle – check the label. Otherwise, the same applies here in terms of using mild soap, lukewarm water and a microfibre cloth.

How often? At least once a month. You can certainly do this more regularly, especially when it comes to the inside.

The future’s clean: 3 tips to keep the yuck at bay

Does the thought of your handbag give you the ick? Follow these three easy guidelines to help hygiene reign.

1. Avoid putting your bag on the floor, especially in public places. It’s better (and cleaner) to place it on your lap, the back of your chair or on a mobile bag holder.

2. Your handbag isn’t the place for (half-chewed) snacks. Nope, not even if you wrap them in a napkin first. If you constantly need something to nibble on, I recommend getting a handy Tupperware container for on the go.

3. Practical bag organisers are worth their weight in gold. They make it easier to keep track of everything and you can also just throw the bags in the washing machine to keep them clean. My fellow editor Stephanie has already found her favourite, trusty organisers: