Is your handbag a Covid-19 hazard? 8 ways to keep it clean and hazard free

International Handbag Day takes place annually on 10 October. It’s an unofficial holiday that celebrates our purses, totes, cross-bodies, clutches and everything in between. 

“It’s also an opportunity to remind women that handbags are one of the worst offenders when it comes to germ hotspots, and according to a study, there could be as many as 10 000 bacteria on and in your handbag. In fact, it contains more bacteria than an average toilet seat,” says Casey Rousseau from 1st for Women Insurance. 

READ MORE: Now that we've all been washing our hands, here are 5 items you should be sanitising regularly too 

Due to the fact that handbags are well-travelled and constantly exposed to a variety of surfaces, they can become a coronavirus magnet and, according to new research, coronavirus can survive in your handbag for several days.

Here are some tips from 1st for Women on how to neutralise handbag germs: 

1. Clean your handbag with a disinfectant solution or disinfectant wipes daily. Thorough and regular cleaning of genuine leather bags and purses is especially important as their spongy texture offers perfect conditions for the growth and spread of germs. 

2. Keep your handbag out of germ danger zones. Avoid placing it in high-risk areas, especially bathroom counters, kitchen counters and floors.

3. Keep your bag tightly closed at all times.

4.Wipe down the items in your bag including your makeup and cellphone using disinfectant wipes. Don’t forget to clean the bottom of the bag and handles.

READ MORE: Five apps to use if you prefer to leave your wallet at home 

5. Dip your tube of lipstick in alcohol for 15 to 30 seconds and then wipe away the top layer of the lipstick to clean it properly. Leave lipstick and mascara in the freezer overnight to kill the bacteria and viruses.

6. Regularly go through the contents of your handbag to get rid of things you don’t need like empty hand lotions or lipsticks. 

7. Avoid dirt, debris and rubbish from collecting at the bottom of your bag. Used tissues are among the worst culprits as the flu virus can live on them for up to 12 hours.

8. If you carry food in your handbag, make sure it’s sealed in a plastic bag or container.

How do you keep your handbags and purses clean? Let us know here.