No matter what you use it for, your tote bag experiences a lot of wear and tear. Chris Moore, manager of New York City’s Artbag (www.artbag.com), which specializes in handbag repair, offers up the best ways to keep a tote looking like new.

Leather: To camouflage scratches on dark leather, add a few drops of white vinegar to a piece of cheesecloth, then apply to the bag. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off any excess. Clear shoe cream or polish (not wax) applied every other month to a leather bag of any color will provide a protective base. (But be sure to test it on the bottom of the bag first.)

Canvas: If the bag is all-cotton, hand wash with a gentle fabric wash (like Woolite). Stuff it with acid-free tissue paper so it retains its shape, then let it air-dry. Any wrinkles will dissipate with use. Do not steam or iron.

Wool and other fabrics: If there is no lining or hardware, send the bag to the dry cleaner.

Suede, nylon, or canvas with leather or hardware details: These bags must be dry-cleaned by hand — that is, not at the corner dry cleaner, where all the work is done by machine. It’s best to leave the job to a handbag-repair specialist. Do not spray these bags with a leather or fabric protector. It will wear off quickly and make the cleaning process more difficult. It may also turn the bag a different color.