Your in-house DIY queen is doing a part two for our top tips for DIY’s concerning your bags, shoes, and accessories (click here to see Part 1).

The Netflix sensation Marie Kondo preaches that we only keep material items that give us joy- and I’m sure your Secret Stash purchases give you the utmost joy! So here are our top 5 DIY tips to take care of those precious purchases.

Tip Number 1:  STRETCH OUT THOSE SHOES

For those of you who find your leather loafers, ballet flats, or even boots to be a tad bit of a snug fit, here’s a tip that will be your go-to for days to come.

• Wear two pairs of socks on each foot and then wear your chosen pair of leather shoes.
• Use a hair dryer and warm up the shoes (while wearing them) for 5-10 minutes (ensure you keep a safe distance between the dryer and the shoes to ensure you don’t cause any damage).
• Once this process is done keep wearing the shoes and walk around your house for at least 30 minutes. Allowing the leather to cool while it is being stretched. This will ensure it remains stretched out even after the double socks are removed.

There you go- enjoy your new super comfy leather shoes! This trick can be used on any leather shoe like this pair of Calvin Klein Ballet Flats or these Olive Green Tory Burch Ballet Flats - both currently at Secret Stash.

Tip Number 2:  STITCH YOUR OWN DUST BAGS

Whether you want dust bags to store your shoes at home and protect them from dust- or you want them to keep your ‘dirty’ shoes clear from your clean clothes in your suitcase when travelling – here’s your solution – just stitch up a batch full of these and you’re sorted.

• Simply take a piece of cloth and cut a rectangle of approximately 18 inches x 14 inches.
• Fold it over, stitch up the two opposite sides and then on the open end lay a ribbon and fold over the cloth and stitch it.
• Once all done just turn the bag inside out and there you go- your own homemade dust bags.

Tip Number 3:  CLEAN THAT PVC

This DIY can be used on PVC, Jelly, Patent Leather and Coated Canvas.

• Add a splash of mild laundry detergent to a bowl of cold or lukewarm water.
• Dip a clean sponge/cloth into the water, squeeze it out and gently rub the outer surface of your PVC handbag.
• Rinse the sponge until it is free of detergent and dampen it with water. Wipe off any detergent residue from the PVC and thoroughly dry the bag with a clean dry cloth.
• Let your PVC handbag air dry until it is completely moisture-free.

Your PVC will look as good as new. This method can easily be used on a jelly bag like this Furla Candy Bag currently available at Secret Stash or on this Michael Kors Coated Canvas crossbody below previously sold at Secret Stash. 

Tip Number 4:  BLACK ON BLACK

You’ll be surprised to hear this but a permanent black marker may be the solution to your scuffed leather woos. If you have a small scuff in your black leather bag or shoe (sometimes suede also), you can dot a small amount of black marker (the permanent kind) onto the scuff and rub it gently with your fingers to blend it. More often than not, this trick will work to blend out that white scuff and blend it enough not to even show!

Tip Number 5:  THE TARNISH TRICK

Pakistan’s weather just has this incredible ability to tarnish the hardware on bags and shoes as well as our lovely brass jewellery. So if you’re starting to notice tarnish spots on your bracelet like this Kate Spade one – then simply use the eraser behind a pencil and carefully erase away those spots. You’ll be surprised how well this works to remove the tarnish and makes your jewellery look fresh spotless and fresh. 

Hope these tips are helpful our dear shopaholics! 

Lots of love,

Secret Stash in-house DIY Queen

Mesha Sayeed

Have questions or comments? Leave a message in the comments section below and we will get back to you!