The surprising reason why you should never put your bag on the ground (2024)

  • Expensive purses in prime condition can be resold for 63% of their original value, according to Tradesy, but wear-and-tear can diminish their value.
  • Some high-end bags like Chanel and Gucci will earn a higher resale price, and limited-edition bags can be sold for more than their original purchase price.
  • However, any bag that touches the ground is a carrier for germs.

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Subways, floors and restaurants are teeming with germs, and purses easily become vessels for carrying bacteria into your home.

The surprising reason why you should never put your bag on the ground (1)

However, there's another reason to avoid placing your bag on dirty surfaces: resale value.

At high-end consignment shops, websites and apps like Rue La La, The Real Real, and Rebag, wear-and-tear on a luxury purse can cost sellers thousands of dollars.

"There is an old saying that goes 'A purse on the floor is money out the door,' and we know this to be true, Sarah Davis, founder of Fashionphile, the largest reseller of luxury handbags and accessories online, told INSIDER. "While sitting a bag on the floor alone may not damage the bag, it's a small glimpse of a bigger picture in the way that a bag is regularly treated."

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Purses should be kept in the dust bags they come with or a cotton pillowcase, according to Rachel Koffsky, an expert from auction house Christie's. Likewise, the bag should be stuffed with acid-free tissue paper to keep the bag's shape, she said.

The surprising reason why you should never put your bag on the ground (2)

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A bag can be maintained at home with an alcohol-free baby wipe or a damp paper towel, Koffsky said. For a deeper clean, head to an expert like Leather Spa.

For germ maintenance, "purses should be wiped down with disinfectant wipes periodically as they tend to be exposed to high-touch surfaces, like a kitchen counter-top or dining room table," Jane Trombetta, a registered nurse at MedExpress, told INSIDER.

The best rule of thumb is to keep purses away from floors, regardless if it's tile, hardwood or carpet, Trombetta said.

The surprising reason why you should never put your bag on the ground (3)

She noted that carpets are especially dirty because they are difficult to clean and dust and germs often get trapped in the fibers.

"Even if you clean your floors regularly, you can't control what other people do in their homes, what shop owners or restaurant owners do," Caitlin Hoff, health and safety investigator at Consumer Safety, told INSIDER. "There is no telling where bacteria lurks in your day, so it is best to keep your personal belongings away from the floor where the majority of grime is tracked in."

Keeping a purse clean using these tips will help maintain the resale value, especially as the shared economy has created a renewed interest in buying luxury purses.

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The surprising reason why you should never put your bag on the ground (2024)

FAQs

The surprising reason why you should never put your bag on the ground? ›

Subways, floors and restaurants are teeming with germs, and purses easily become vessels for carrying bacteria into your home. However, there's another reason to avoid placing your bag on dirty surfaces: resale value.

Why shouldn't you put your bag on the ground? ›

My number one rule to keep my bags in the best condition possible while still using them regularly? Never putting them on the ground. Worn and damaged handbag corners are my biggest handbag pet peeve, so to prevent corner rubbing I make it a habit to avoid placing my bag on the floor like the plague.

Why should you never put your bag on the floor? ›

The roots of this particular superstition can be traced back to this school of thought that has a saying: "A purse on the floor is money out the door." In many other cultures, the ground is symbolically associated with lowliness, so to put your purse on the floor shows a lack of respect for your money.

Should you keep your bag on the floor? ›

A few germs won't do much harm, right? Wrong. There could be scarily high levels of bacteria and bugs lurking where you least expect them.

What does it mean when your purse falls on the floor? ›

The idea behind this belief is that because people usually carry their money, credit cards, and other important items in their purse, placing their bag on the floor shows disrespect for the order of things, and disregard for your money and wealth.

Is it bad luck for a woman to put her purse on the floor? ›

What happens if you place your handbag or purse on the floor? Some believe it causes bad luck in your financial life, others say that if you disrespect the bag you carry where your money is kept, then you will loose money based on your respect to your own money. Some people even think you could go broke.

Is it bad manners to put your bag on the table? ›

When dining: the most important thing to remember is that your bag should never sit on top of the table. It is considered incredibly rude. No matter how beautiful or special it is, unless it's a centerpiece it does not belong there.

Is it good luck to put money in a new purse? ›

The custom was also known as “handseling a purse”. A new purse would not be given to anyone without placing money in it for good luck.

Is superstition a religion? ›

The word Superstition is also used to refer to a religion not practiced by the majority of a given society regardless of whether the prevailing religion contains alleged superstitions or to all religions by the antireligious.

What are common superstitions? ›

Speaking of superstitions, here are eight common superstitious notions and the meaning behind them.
  • Opening Umbrellas Inside. ...
  • Black Cats. ...
  • Walking Under Ladders. ...
  • Breaking Mirrors. ...
  • Tossing Spilled Salt Over Shoulder. ...
  • Knocking On Wood. ...
  • Finding A Four-Leaf Clover. ...
  • The Curse of the Scottish Play.
Aug 2, 2023

Is it better to roll or stuff a sleeping bag? ›

Here, however, it's fair to say: you can stuff it! This method is good for the material of both synthetic fibre and down sleeping bags. When a sleeping bag is rolled up, the fibres always get bent in the same places. This means the material loses thickness and insulation capacity.

Should I put my bag on the table? ›

Additionally, it can also be seen as a sign of disrespect for the other people who are sharing the table, as it can take up valuable space that could be used for other things. It's best to keep your handbag on the floor or in a designated area to be considerate of others.

Where should your bag sit? ›

In general, the bag should sit at or just below the hip. This offers a good compromise between comfort and aesthetics and ensures that you can easily access the contents of your bag.

What is the superstition about money spiders? ›

Superstition suggests that finding a money spider on you or your hair will bring you new clothes and money. No evidence supports the claim that spiders bring financial good luck. However, according to Glenlivet Wildlife, they are often considered a sign of good fortune, particularly if they land on you.

What is the superstition about the broom touching your feet? ›

South Americans believe that if your feet are swept over by a broom you will remain single for the rest of your life. The curse can be broken, if you immediately spit on the broom. The exact origins of this superstition are unknown, but legend has it that a woman who cannot keep house, does not a good wife make.

What does purse represent in the Bible? ›

Easton's Bible Dictionary - Purse

Gr. zone, properly a girdle ( Matthew 10:9 ; Mark 6:8 ), a money-belt. As to our Lord's sending forth his disciples without money in their purses, the remark has been made that in this "there was no departure from the simple manners of the country.

What item should not touch the ground? ›

The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.

Can grow bags sit on the ground? ›

To create a raised garden bed out of grow bags, you can place them on the ground. First, put down a cardboard base, open up the grow bag, fill with soil and plant with vegetables, herbs and flowers. A layer of mulch between the bags keeps down weeds for a tidy look.

What is the healthiest way to carry a bag? ›

Ideally, you should carry your belongings in a backpack on your back. The pack should have wide straps – preferably padded – and not hang more than four inches below your waist.

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