Who doesn’t love tote bags? They are spacious, versatile, and come in multiple vibrating colors. Depending on purpose and usage, you can choose the right size, material used, shape, pattern, and style accordingly.
When it comes to a tote bag’s lifespan, people expect them to last forever. However, the lifespan of different bags will vary greatly. This is because each tote bag lasts differently, primarily due to the material used, usage & purpose, and how well a tote bag is taken care of.
To help you understand more about a tote bag’s life, let’s dive into it.
How Long Should a Tote Bag Last?
While choosing a tote bag, you must notice how nicely it is made up, the material used such as hooks, bottom, interior fabric, zipper, quality, etc. Because these critical points decide how, when, and for how long you can carry this bag. All factors are contributing factors in determining a tote’s lifespan.
So, what are those factors?
#1- Right Hardware (Hooks, Zipper, Magnetic Buttons, etc.)
Thin metal or poor & cheap plastic material hooks, zippers, and buttons can easily bend or break under pressure. Therefore, spending a few extra dollars on robust hardware for your tote is recommended. After all, it will improve your tote’s quality and load-bearing capacity thus resulting in longer life.
Apart from quality, look for how shiny and professionally styled the hardware is (hooks, zipper, buttons, lock, etc.). A seamless hardware design will function better, be less prone to breaking, and be reliable for every occasion.
#2- Fabric and Its Quality
Solid and tough fabric results in a tough bag! Right? But choosing the appropriate fabric for a tote bag is more complex. You can not select a material based on the fiber alone. It may or may not ensure durability and toughness for all-purpose usage.
For example, naturally thin cotton fiber can create a feather-weight cotton lawn or robust and rough-and-tough denim. However, even though it is the strongest denim, natural fiber wears faster than man-made or synthetic fiber. Therefore, a tote bag made of ‘cotton and polyester’ blend fabric offers better service, durability, and usability.
Therefore, always look for the material quality of a tote bag on its package and description, and ask the manufacturer/seller to better ensure you choose the right one.
Now, if you want a super-tough tote bag for extreme usages such as adventure, bike rides, and storage purposes, you can choose a coated fabric. This is because a coated fabric helps you take the strength of your tote to the next level.
For example, you can find laminated cotton, fabric coated with water-resistance solutions, and oilcloth. Compared to their uncoated versions, these are more hardy fabrics, last longer, and easily repel water.
Lastly, ensure your bag’s fabric is not treated with harmful chemicals because sometimes we keep water bottles, chocolate, etc., in our bags; therefore, it has to be chemically safe.
#3- Leather and Vinyl
For those who are not limited to cotton or pure nature-inspired tote bag material, they can try Vinyl and Leather-based bags as well.
Both Leather and Vinyl are solid, offer better toughness, and last longer if treated well.
But, before you pick your affordable leather tote bag, notice its weights and finishes. Because much like cotton, leather can also be thin and not-so-tough always. For example, goat leather is light and soft; therefore, a good choice for delicate and unstructured bags. Accordingly, choose the type of leather (and quality) you want to go with per your need and budget.
Other qualities of a strong tote bag that lasts long!
In addition to what we discussed, you can add these qualities to a strong and long-lasting tote.
First, pick a heavy fusible interfacing as it will strengthen the fabric. Because, for a firm and stable base, sturdy and stiff interfacing works well. Such bags are ideal for tour and traveling purposes.
Second, notice whether your tote has reinforced stitching and seams. Instead of just simple sewing and a row of stitching, reinforcing stitching with a square and X improves the strength.
Third, the thread holding your tote fabric must be good enough, or it may break under stress. Some totes users prefer polyester thread over cotton for better durability and toughness.
Similarly, for leather tote bags, glues help a lot. It strengthens seams.
Let’s Conclude
Choosing the right tote bag may seem challenging and time consuming-however it is not. So instead, you can enjoy selecting the right tote for you. Because at last, you will carry the same wherever you go!
A tote bag is also a fantastic “everyday bag” as it is used for various purposes. Hence, choosing the right and good-quality tote makes sense. Always go with durable material, well-designed, built, and hard to rip off.
Additionally, a well-maintained tote bag can last years without losing its shine, thread, or strength. Also, follow a gentle wash cycle with normal or lukewarm water (if it has some stains), and dry in the shadow area so it doesn’t lose its colors. Avoid dryer until it’s necessary, as it might shrink the fabric.
For details on tote bags, visit 22 Tote (https://www.22tote.com) for stylish, trendy, and affordable ones!
