The Alma Bag by Tohni Bekka, the very first handbag I ever made. I love this bag, it can carry just about any and everything I need. It's definitely my go to handbag. For one, it has lasted over 5 years and is still just as durable as ever. But of course being that it is five years old it has seen a lot of days and items being put in and thrown into it, from clothes, sippie cups in the side pockets, water bottles, books and a host of other things that I needed various days. Yesterday I thought about having it cleaned, so this morning I proceeded to make some calls and do a little online searching to find out where I can take my bag and get it cleaned so it could look like it did when I sewed the last stitch on it in 2008.
While online searching, I ran across a website, Shay's Specialty Purse Cleaning Service. I just glanced over the site to see what all she did and thought oh that's great, I wish she was in town, but of course she is in L.A. I continued to seek businesses in my home town but only found about 3 places so I went ahead and called Shay. She gave me an estimated quote by my description of my Alma bag, but I was stuck on the fact that I will have to pay for shipping it to her and back, not just the cost of the cleaning. So I though I might as well just go with a local business. Although Shay did inform me that no one can get a handbag as clean as she could.
This is an after pic of a bag that was scratched, looked dingy and gray.
I proceeded to browse her website, read testimonials, and look at before and after pictures, when I came across a link. I clicked on it and read a post about how filthy women's handbags really are. A lady name Shauna in Salt Lake City conducted a test to see how dirty the outside of women's handbags really are. I was quite amazed at the results. Now I will say that although I'm sure my handbags are dirtier than I think, I am not one to set my bag down anywhere. I am funny about where I place it and you will not find it on the floor! As a matter of fact, the other day I went to a comedy club and had my clutch with me and used the bathroom and everything with it in my arm. I did not set it down anywhere. Frankly, a public restroom is the last place you will see me being comfortable and placing it anywhere!
The test resulted in Salmonella, Feces, Vomit and other bacteria that can make you really sick.This makes you think twice about putting your handbag on your bed, table, or anywhere you eat. At least until you send it out to Shay and have her clean it for you first. I encourage every woman to at least every once in a while to have her handbags cleaned professionally to rid it of all the everyday germs and bacteria that are unbeknownst to us that we carry around on our shoulders and arms.
Until Next Time, ACCESSORIZE YOURSELF!!!
