Whether you call them boxes or crates, there’s no denying that most of us have a love-hate relationship with cardboard. When we’re in the packing phase of moving, it feels like there’s an entire tree’s worth of brown and grey cardboard boxes to contend with. And if you own something as gorgeous and sturdy as a Vera Bradley bag, you might wonder how to remove the inner cardboard from this beautiful accessory. But never fear: There are lots of ways to peel off (or unpeel) that pesky cardboard without damaging your VB bag. If you want to learn how to remove the cardboard from your Vera Bradley bag, keep reading!
How To Remove Cardboard From Vera Bradley Bag
- When you first find a vintage bag, you’ll notice that the label is usually glued down. However, it is possible to remove the label without damaging the bag. Simply use a flat-head screwdriver or another similar tool to gently pry up on the label at the bottom of each side seam. This may take a little effort, but don’t worry about ripping it off completely; just loosen it enough so that you can peel it off easily.
- If your Vera Bradley bag has been in storage for a while, chances are its cardboard is dry and brittle from humidity and sun exposure. The best way to prevent this from happening again is to store your Vera Bradley bag in an air-tight container like a zip-top plastic bag. You should also be sure to keep this bag away from light and heat, which can both cause the cardboard remnants to deteriorate further.
- When you’re ready to get your Vera Bradley back into action, simply remove all remnants of cardboard with a pair of scissors or another sharp knife before hanging it up in your closet or dresser drawer (don’t forget to protect any delicate fabric lining). If you have any leftover scraps of cardboard that weren’t removed before storing your new vintage piece, simply throw them away in an appropriate trash receptacle!
- If you’re looking to save even more money, consider purchasing a Vera Bradley bag that is already completely devoid of any remnants of the cardboard. These bags tend to be a little more expensive, but they are well worth it if you want to avoid having to remove any cardboard remnants at all.
- If you have any questions about removing cardboard from a vintage piece, please feel free to contact us through the Contact Us page! We’re happy to help with any questions you may have.
What Is Cardboard In A Vera Bradley Bag?
- The first step is to remove the original label from the bag. If you can’t remove it, don’t worry, you can always make your own label using a vintage typewriter. However, if you are like me and love to save money by buying used items without labels, this is a great way to save money!
- Once the original label has been removed, the next step is to peel off the cardboard with your fingers. You will see that there are several pieces of cardboard in each bag that have been glued together and then folded over. You will want to take care not to rip this apart as it could cause damage to the bag itself.
- Once all of the pieces of cardboard have been peeled off, take a look at your new purchase! You can now use this piece of Vera Bradley’s luggage for years to come!
Tips For Finding Good Quality Vintage Vera Bradley Bags
Look for bags in good condition
Vintage Vera Bradley bags that are in good condition are usually easy to find at thrift stores and on eBay. However, if you’re not sure about the quality of a vintage bag, you can always ask the seller if it’s been used before. If there is a tag on the bag, check out the other tags it has been sold with to see what “retail” price they fetch on eBay. Also, make sure to check out the condition of the stitching and whether or not there are any signs of wear or tear.
Look for bags with tags that have no damage or stains
While this is important when it comes to quality vintage items, it’s even more important when purchasing vintage Vera Bradley bags! You can easily tell if a bag has had damage when you look at its tag since many vintage bags don’t come with an original tag anymore! The best way to tell if a bag has had damage is by looking at its tag and checking for stains or rips in its seams (see below). If you notice any signs of wear and tear on your Vera Bradley bag, be sure to take note so that you can factor them into your budgeting process!
Look for bags with a tag that says “retail”
If the bag you’re looking at does not have a tag saying “retail”, it is most likely a thrift store find. If you see a tag like this, be sure to keep your eyes open for any signs of wear or tear in the bag.
Look for bags with stains on the exterior of the bag or inside of the bag
If you see a stain on the outside of your vintage Vera Bradley bag, simply wipe it off and make sure not to stress over it because this can happen to any piece! If you notice a stain on your Vera Bradley bag that is inside (excluding the Vera Bradley logo), use an old cloth and some rubbing alcohol to clean up any stains.
Look for signs of wear and tear on the stitching around the seams of your Vera Bradley bag
This is where it gets tricky! You will want to look at both sides of each seam when examining these areas since some vintage pieces aren’t as well-made as others and will have more signs of wear and tear than others. This includes areas like handles, zippers, pockets, etc., but does NOT include seams inside or outside the lining (see below). If you spot any signs of wear or tear in these areas, simply deduct that amount from your overall purchase price!
Conclusion
Bags with cardboard remnants might not have been in style when they were first manufactured, but they’re still a great, affordable way to keep your belongings organized. Plus, they’re just one of the many ways you can repurpose vintage items. You can turn that old bag into an organizer for your craft supplies or a pencil holder for your desk! With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to clean up these bags and make them look new.
