You have your very own Arden Cove Anti-theft Waterproof Crossbody - Congrats! But you're not really sure how to clean or care for it. Here's our frequently asked questions to help you out.
Q: How to take care of my Arden Cove bags?
A: We encourage you to use them everyday! Our bags are first and foremost utilitarian so you don't need to be too precious with them. To increase longevity, and maintain its appearance, we suggest the following:
- Keep in a cool, low-humidity environment out of direct sunlight to preserve the color and maintain the integrity of the materials.
- Do not let the bags sit while wet. When it rains, wipe down your bag and dry the hardware after getting inside.
- If soaking wet, we suggest using a hairdryer on low to medium heat to dry it out. In particular on the light color bags.
- You can regularly clean everyday dirt by wiping with a cloth, water and a light detergent.
- Keep light colored bags away from new jeans or clothes that may transfer color. Clean any stains as soon as possible. For removing stains, please continue reading.
Q: How to store and maintain my Arden Cove bags?
A: When not in use we suggest storing your bag in a cool, low-humidity environment and keep out of direct sunlight. For longer storage keep in a dust bag with stuffing to keep upright. Do not fold or bend the structured bags to maintain the shape.
Q: Will the light colored bags be easily stained?
A: We get this question a lot. Especially on our lighter, white and cream bags. Like all light colored purses, there's many spills and dirt that will easily show up on it. Thanks to the durable, waterproof nylon exterior, it's a breeze to clean any minor dirtiness.
Most liquids spilt on the bag will just roll right off- so you don't have to worry about an accidental spill at the bar, or a kid running around with a juice box! If there's some sugary residue, take a wet cloth and gently roll off.
If you have some other dirty marks, try mixing some light detergent with water and gently rub with a wash cloth. The material will expand with water so it might look a little puffy at first, but the material will dry back to the original state. We suggest using a hair dryer to not let the material sit wet for extended periods.
Another great method is using a "magic eraser" type product. I would suggest patch testing somewhere hidden before cleaning the whole bag to make sure there's no chemicals that will discolor the fabric.
Try to avoid any items that are "bleeding" dye, such as brand new/dark jeans that will rub dye onto other clothing and materials. This will be more difficult to remove as the dye gets into the fibers of the nylon.
Q: How do I clean the outside of my bag?
A: Due to its durable, waterproof material, the bag super easy to care for and clean. While messes can still happen, can be dealt with by simply using a washcloth with a mix of light detergent and water. The material will expand with water so it might look a little puffy at first, but the material will dry back to the original state. Wipe off excess water and use a blowdryer to dry.
When using other cleaning products, we suggest patch testing somewhere hidden before cleaning the whole bag to make sure there's no chemicals that will discolor the fabric. In this video we tested 6 different stain removers and cleaners to see which worked best:
The faux leather we use is a very high-quality and durable material as well. To clean, spot clean with a damp cloth.
Q: Is the waterproof nylon scratch/cut proof? How to get rid of scratches on the waterproof nylon?
A: The exterior nylon is not cut resistant. The slash proof material is actually inside the bag, sandwiched between the waterproof nylon and the inner polyester lining. Think of it as the last line of defense. That being said, the nylon holds up well. One customer took a kitchen knife and tried cutting the bag open, mistaking the nylon for the slash proof material. The bag escaped with some minor scratches, but don't try this at home!
If you have some minor scratches, like scruff marks, try soapy water (like a clear detergent) or baby wipes to see if that will lessen the appearance of the marks. If the fibers are actually torn, then there might not be a good way to fix that. :( Here's to hoping it is the former!
Q: How waterproof is the bag? Can I take it into the water?
The exterior fabric is a nylon backed with rubber to seal water out. By pairing the rubber backed nylon exterior with waterproof zippers, water is almost impenetrable, but I still wouldn't recommend dunking your bag in a pool!
The waterproof features are there to protect from the rain, snow, and spills. If you drop your bag into the water accidentally, it should escape without leaks but it's not designed to go diving with.
The metal hardware is durable but like all metals, will tarnish quicker in certain conditions. Thus, when the bag gets wet we recommend wiping dry the bag once you get inside.
Q: Is there a warranty? Do you repair bags?
A: Your Arden Cove product is made to last, but if something happens, we’re here to help. We offer a one-year manufacturing defect warranty from date of purchase on our handbags and accessories. This does not cover normal/regular wear and tear. For any quality-related issues within this time frame, repairs are on us. Beyond the warranty, repairs are offered at set fees.
If there is any issue with your item upon receiving it, we will replace the item.
Please contact our customer service team email at support@ardencove.com and we will be happy to assist you. Please include:
- Photos of the item clearly showing the problem
- Proof of purchase (receipt, pack slip), or email used to place the order
Q: My bag has a smell to it. How do I get rid of it?
A: Sorry if the smell is a bit strong! The bags are brand new, and will have a bit of a smell to it due to the materials and the glue used to hold the materials together before sewing. There's a whole lot of layers — with the waterproof nylon, slash-proof material, interior lining, as well as all the microfiber piping and faux leather details — and they all need to stay in place!
The good news is that once you unpack the bags, the smell will go away once it gets some sunshine and air!
Try that and see if it improves in about two weeks. I find that the smell is only noticeable if I really put my nose up to the bag. If you find that it still doesn't help, try placing a sheet of fabric softener, or baking soda in a sock (or DIY a bag out of fabric softener). If times get tough, try fabreeze! This is all some stalking online forums, as we personally have not encountered this problem with our bags, so we hope one of these works out.
Have any other Questions or Comments? Email us at info@ardencove.com and we'll try our best to help you!
Hi Jocelyn,
Yes please email us at support@ardencove.com and we’ll be happy to help!
Hi Arden Cove, can you give me a quote to have the front zipper repaired? I’ve had my crossbody purse for awhile, so the repair no longer falls under warranty. Thank you!
Hi Keely, Thanks for reaching out! We work really hard to make high quality bags that will last, including high quality fabrics that are easy to clean and durable. We have a one year warranty if you have any problem with your bag and outside of that window we repair any issues for a repair fee. Of course it will also vary with how you use the bags. We have many customers who comment that they have had their bag for several years now.
I’m currently looking for a backpack for cosmetology school and to hopefully double as a work/travel bag in the future. I’m trying to decide between the commuter or the MB because of the stuff I might have to carry, so that’s fun. Anyway, I really want to know the truth of how long these bags will last because I constantly have to replace my bags after a year or two of use. My plan is to invest in something for the long term and I need to know what kind of investment would I be making with your bags.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for your comment! We have been investing into improving our quality over the years in business, including better hardware. Though we take steps to give you high quality hardware, that said keeping the hardware dry (wiping down after coming in from the rain) and storing it properly when not in use can go a long way in keeping the hardware from tarnishing!
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