How To Clean Your Luggage? Follow These Simple Methods

Nowadays, safety and hygiene come first to our mind when we think of travelling, right? Surely, the coronavirus outbreak has added a long-dreaded chore to our travel list - cleaning and sanitizing the luggage efficiently!

Now, whether you are travelling by train, bus, airplane, or even in your car, your luggage certainly sees a whole different side of your trip - dusty floors, grease on the luggage belts at the airport, and what not! So, it becomes all the more important to properly clean your luggage before storing it in your home.

In this article, we are here with some easy techniques that can help you keep your luggage clean and germ-free. So, what are you waiting for? Read on!

Start With The Handles

If you are travelling post-pandemic, it would be better if you start cleaning your luggage by disinfecting them.

For this, you should first focus on the handles of your suitcase or bag. Why? A handle is a prime spot that you and many others touch, and hence, it can become a possible transmission path of germs and bacteria.

To avoid any transmission, start cleaning by wiping down the handles with a damp microfiber cloth or a disinfecting wipe. Choose those wipes which contain at least 60 percent of alcohol so that they work on the germs effectively.

You can also squeeze some sanitizer on a tissue paper and wipe off your handle and wheels as well. Just make sure that the surfaces stay wet for at least 30 seconds or more so that bacteria can get killed.

Cleaning The Exterior Of Your Luggage

Once you clean the handles and wheels, it is time to clean the exterior of your suitcase or bag.

Now, first, you have to remove any dirt or debris from the outside of your suitcase with a microfiber cloth or a soft cleaning brush. Then, remember, whether your suitcase is small or large, the cleaning process usually depends on the material from which the luggage is made.

Don’t worry, we will tell you all about them!

In this section, we are going to talk about two types of materials - polycarbonate or aluminum luggage or what we call hard-shell luggage, and nylon, ballistic nylon, or polyester which are considered as soft materials. Let’s take a closer look now!

Cleaning The Exterior Of Hard-Shell Luggage

Hard-shell luggage is usually made from polycarbonate (which is a form of plastic) or aluminium. Now, if you think that cleaning these materials can be a hassle, then you might need to try this technique.

Method

• Start by preparing the cleaning soap and water solution.
• Always start cleaning in an inconspicuous area to observe any reactions. If everything goes well, then scrub it with a microfiber cloth.
• If the luggage has any scuff marks, then use an abrasive sponge, but first, make sure that it is not causing any scratches on the surface. If there are other stubborn spots, then you can clean them with baking soda and your regular toothpaste.
• Once all the spots are clean, wipe off the residue of the ingredients with a cloth dipped in plain water.
• Then, dry the area immediately with a fresh cloth to prevent any water marks.

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Cleaning The Exterior Of Soft Fabric Luggage

Most of the soft fabric luggage is made from materials like nylon, ballistic nylon, or polyester. These materials are very simple to clean. Read on to know how.

Method

• If you have a soft fabric suitcase or bag, then you need to first clean the exterior with a damp microfiber cloth. Using a soaking wet cloth can saturate the material of the bag and we don’t want that!
• Now, there are two ways of cleaning this kind of luggage.
• First, you can invest in a good upholstery cleaner.
• Then, apply it all over your bag or suitcase until every corner is covered.
• Start rubbing with a brush while scrubbing off any visible dirt patches or light stains.
• After 10 minutes or as suggested on the product packaging, remove the product.
• Now, if you don’t have an upholstery cleaner, then you can opt for the second option.
• Mix the mild laundry detergent into plain water and start working the solution on the bag with a soft brush.
• Pull up the dirt patches between the fibers with the brush.
• Then, take a damp and clean cloth to wipe off any residual soap.
• For the drying process, leave your luggage in an open space and let it air dry. Don’t forget to open all the zippers otherwise, it can smell later.

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Cleaning The Interior Of Your Luggage

Cleaning the inside of your suitcase or bag is as important as cleaning it from the outside. And let us tell you that it is the most challenging to keep the inside germ-free as we usually fill the bag with innumerable products!

Method

• First, while cleaning the inside of your luggage, you must remove all the items. Yes, including attachable pockets!
• Then, open all of the zippers and give your bag a good shake to dislodge larger particles, dust, or any remaining products. If possible, then you must vacuum it.
• If there are spills of beauty products such as shampoo, lotion, or even sunscreen, then don’t worry. You just need to sprinkle a dash of baking soda over the surface. It will also remove any odour.
• Let the baking soda sit overnight and then use a vacuum cleaner to clean the residue.
• If there are no spills of such kind then, you can use a wet cloth to wipe down all parts of the interior lining.
• Once the interior lining is clean, do remember to air dry it to avoid a musty odour.

Are you going to try these cleaning techniques? Do share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page. For more such stories, stay tuned to HerZindagi!