How We Prep Every Preloved Bag at the Purse Salon | Inside Kismet’s Process

How We Prep Every Preloved Bag at the Purse Salon | Inside Kismet’s Process

How We Clean, Check + Prep Every Bag at the Purse Salon

Contrary to popular belief, we don’t just throw a spritz of Febreze and say “good luck.” Welcome to the Purse Salon—where every bag gets the spa day it deserves before it lands in your hands.

Because yes, pre-loved is beautiful—but it still needs a little TLC before it’s ready for its second (or third) debut.


💅 Step 1: First Impressions Matter

The second a bag arrives, it gets our full attention. Think of it like a stylist checking in a VIP client for a makeover.

  • Does it smell like someone’s closet in 1987? We handle that.
  • Missing its hangtag? Noted.
  • Worn corners, mystery stains, or a slightly mysterious interior? We’ve seen it all.

We give each piece a full evaluation from topstitch to tassel, including leather condition, lining, strap strength, zippers, and structure. This is when we start noting call-outs so you’re never surprised.


🫧 Step 2: Time for the Deep Clean

Next up: a cleaning ritual worthy of a bag that’s about to find a new home. Here’s what that includes:

  • Interior vacuuming: Yes, even glitter and purse crumbs get the boot.
  • Wipe-downs: We gently clean leather, canvas, and fabric with the right products for each material.
  • Spot-treating: Minor marks and stains? We zap them (when possible) without compromising the finish.

We don’t over-treat or use harsh chemicals. This is about restoring beauty, not covering up life.


🔍 Step 3: The Purse Polygraph

Okay, it’s not an actual polygraph, but our inspection is that thorough. We’re checking everything—hardware condition, stitching integrity, strap security, even pocket function. If there’s a flaw, we disclose it. If it’s a win, we celebrate it.

We also research each bag’s origin: Was it from Coach retail or Coach Outlet? Which Fossil line was this? Is that Brahmin color a seasonal drop or a collector fave?

We ID it all—so you know exactly what you’re getting.


💌 Step 4: Ready for Her Close-Up

Finally, she’s prepped, fluffed, and photographed for the shop. Bags that pass our inspection head straight to our Just Arrived collection, complete with clear call-outs, condition notes, and beauty shots.

And if you’re a Purse Pass member? That Notify Me button just became your bestie. You’ll know instantly when a favorite gets restocked—so you can snag it or swap it before it disappears again.


🎁 Want to Know You’ll Love It?

Every single bag comes with our Good Vibes Guarantee—a one-year return policy, whether or not you’re a Purse Pass subscriber. But if you are a subscriber? You can trade your bag anytime, for any reason, and shipping is covered both ways.

Sign up here or learn more about the Purse Pass.


💖 So, Why Do We Do All This?

Because pre-loved isn’t “less than.” It’s *more.* More history, more personality, more sustainability. And when you shop with Kismet, you’re not getting someone’s leftover—you’re getting someone’s once-beloved treasure, revived for a new chapter.

At the Purse Salon, we don’t just clean handbags. We prep them for their next great love story.

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