How to Clean a Suitcase
Remove all the items from your suitcase., Remove any detachable liners or storage., Vacuum the inside., Wash any removable liners or pockets., Wash manmade linings with detergent and water., Spot-clean canvas and linen linings., Wipe off hard...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Remove all the items from your suitcase.
Make sure that your suitcase is completely empty before you begin to clean it.
Be sure to check in the pockets and in any removable liners for overlooked items. -
Step 2: Remove any detachable liners or storage.
Some suitcases have liners that can be removed entirely from the rest of the bag, as well as additional storage pockets.
Remove these components and set aside., Remove dirt, dust, crumbs, and other small debris from your suitcase by vacuuming the inside.
You can use a hand vacuum or a standard vacuum’s hose attachment.
Make sure you vacuum within any pockets or liners, If the manufacturer’s tag indicates that machine washing is safe, wash it according to the instructions.
If the tag is missing or if it says that hand washing is required, fill a sink with warm water and a small amount of mild laundry detergent.
Clean the removable components by hand and allow them to air dry., Nylon and other manmade lining can be washed gently with a damp washcloth and mild laundry detergent.
If the outside of your suitcase is leather, be very careful not to drip any water on the outside, as this can damage it., Spot-clean the inside with baking soda and water, using an old toothbrush to scrub away stains or dirt.
Dry the bag immediately with a hand dryer. , Hard plastic can be wiped clean with a damp washcloth and mild soap.
Dry your suitcase immediately with a fresh towel to prevent any water marks from forming. , Once your suitcase and all of its components are dry, replace any removable liners or storage., If you plan to skip cleaning the outside altogether, or intend to wait before cleaning it, air out your suitcase by allowing it to stand open for at least one day.
This prevents the buildup of smells or mildew caused by any remaining moisture.
Close the suitcase when you are ready to clean the outside. , Remove any debris from the outside of your suitcase by brushing it with a short broom or cleaning brush.
For larger soft-bodied bags, a hand vacuum or the hose attachment for a regular vacuum may be more effective.
If your suitcase is not leather and is covered in pet hair, lint, or another form of difficult-to-remove debris, use a lint roller. , Follow up with a leather conditioner and allow the suitcase to air-dry out of direct sunlight.
For significant staining, bring the bag to a specialty leather cleaner. , Just as you did with the inside, spot-clean the inside with baking soda and water, using an old toothbrush to remove the stains or dirt.
Dry the bag immediately with a hand dryer. , Clean gently with a damp washcloth with a mild laundry detergent.
Allow to air-dry. , Hard plastic can be wiped clean with a damp washcloth and mild soap.
Dry the outside immediately with a fresh towel to prevent water marks.
If there is scuffing, scrub with an eraser cleaning pad. , Some soaps can cause streaks or marks on aluminium surfaces, so cleaning with warm water alone is best.
For stubborn marks or scuffs, use an eraser cleaning pad.
Dry it immediately with a fresh towel to prevent water marks. , Wash your suitcase’s hardware with warm, soapy water and a washcloth.
Be sure to rotate the wheels completely to remove any dirt, mud, or other debris.
Dry the hardware immediately to prevent water damage.
For metal hardware with scratches, scrub the damaged area with a steel wool scrubber., When your suitcase has been completely cleaned, open it and allow to air out for at least a day.
Be sure to open any pockets or other additional storage spaces! , If your suitcase is made of fabric, you can protect it from further stains or damage by applying a fabric protector spray.
Be sure to read the instructions thoroughly before using, as some materials, such as leather, can be damaged by fabric protectors. , Metal hardware on your suitcase can be protected against scratches by using a metal lacquer or clear nail polish., Fabric suitcases that have had strong-smelling items spilled in them or that have been stored for a long period of time often develop unpleasant odors.
Prevent this by first spraying with a liquid air freshener such as Febreze.
Be careful not to spray air fresheners directly on leather!, Before storing your suitcase, place a solid air freshener inside to prevent musty smells from developing.
You can use commercial solid air fresheners, dryer sheets, unused bars of soap, cedar chips, or other similar items., Many suitcases become damaged through poor storage.
When putting your suitcase away, check the area thoroughly for leaks, musty odors, and mildew, and store it elsewhere if necessary., Do not place heavy items on top of your suitcase, as this can warp it over time.
If your suitcase is leather, aluminum, or hard plastic, wrap it in cloth to prevent scratches and scuffs while in storage. -
Step 3: Vacuum the inside.
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Step 4: Wash any removable liners or pockets.
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Step 5: Wash manmade linings with detergent and water.
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Step 6: Spot-clean canvas and linen linings.
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Step 7: Wipe off hard plastic linings.
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Step 8: Replace the removable components.
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Step 9: Air out your suitcase.
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Step 10: Remove dust and dirt from the outside.
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Step 11: Clean leather with a leather cleaner.
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Step 12: Spot-clean canvas and linen.
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Step 13: Clean soft-bodied manmade bags with detergent and water.
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Step 14: Wipe hard plastic.
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Step 15: Clean aluminum suitcases with water.
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Step 16: Clean wheels
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Step 17: zippers
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Step 18: latches
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Step 19: and other hardware.
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Step 20: Air out your suitcase.
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Step 21: Apply a fabric protector spray.
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Step 22: Treat metal hardware with lacquer.
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Step 23: Spray with air freshener.
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Step 24: Place a solid air freshener inside your suitcase.
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Step 25: Choose a safe area to store your suitcase.
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Step 26: Prevent damage to your suitcase while in storage.
Detailed Guide
Make sure that your suitcase is completely empty before you begin to clean it.
Be sure to check in the pockets and in any removable liners for overlooked items.
Some suitcases have liners that can be removed entirely from the rest of the bag, as well as additional storage pockets.
Remove these components and set aside., Remove dirt, dust, crumbs, and other small debris from your suitcase by vacuuming the inside.
You can use a hand vacuum or a standard vacuum’s hose attachment.
Make sure you vacuum within any pockets or liners, If the manufacturer’s tag indicates that machine washing is safe, wash it according to the instructions.
If the tag is missing or if it says that hand washing is required, fill a sink with warm water and a small amount of mild laundry detergent.
Clean the removable components by hand and allow them to air dry., Nylon and other manmade lining can be washed gently with a damp washcloth and mild laundry detergent.
If the outside of your suitcase is leather, be very careful not to drip any water on the outside, as this can damage it., Spot-clean the inside with baking soda and water, using an old toothbrush to scrub away stains or dirt.
Dry the bag immediately with a hand dryer. , Hard plastic can be wiped clean with a damp washcloth and mild soap.
Dry your suitcase immediately with a fresh towel to prevent any water marks from forming. , Once your suitcase and all of its components are dry, replace any removable liners or storage., If you plan to skip cleaning the outside altogether, or intend to wait before cleaning it, air out your suitcase by allowing it to stand open for at least one day.
This prevents the buildup of smells or mildew caused by any remaining moisture.
Close the suitcase when you are ready to clean the outside. , Remove any debris from the outside of your suitcase by brushing it with a short broom or cleaning brush.
For larger soft-bodied bags, a hand vacuum or the hose attachment for a regular vacuum may be more effective.
If your suitcase is not leather and is covered in pet hair, lint, or another form of difficult-to-remove debris, use a lint roller. , Follow up with a leather conditioner and allow the suitcase to air-dry out of direct sunlight.
For significant staining, bring the bag to a specialty leather cleaner. , Just as you did with the inside, spot-clean the inside with baking soda and water, using an old toothbrush to remove the stains or dirt.
Dry the bag immediately with a hand dryer. , Clean gently with a damp washcloth with a mild laundry detergent.
Allow to air-dry. , Hard plastic can be wiped clean with a damp washcloth and mild soap.
Dry the outside immediately with a fresh towel to prevent water marks.
If there is scuffing, scrub with an eraser cleaning pad. , Some soaps can cause streaks or marks on aluminium surfaces, so cleaning with warm water alone is best.
For stubborn marks or scuffs, use an eraser cleaning pad.
Dry it immediately with a fresh towel to prevent water marks. , Wash your suitcase’s hardware with warm, soapy water and a washcloth.
Be sure to rotate the wheels completely to remove any dirt, mud, or other debris.
Dry the hardware immediately to prevent water damage.
For metal hardware with scratches, scrub the damaged area with a steel wool scrubber., When your suitcase has been completely cleaned, open it and allow to air out for at least a day.
Be sure to open any pockets or other additional storage spaces! , If your suitcase is made of fabric, you can protect it from further stains or damage by applying a fabric protector spray.
Be sure to read the instructions thoroughly before using, as some materials, such as leather, can be damaged by fabric protectors. , Metal hardware on your suitcase can be protected against scratches by using a metal lacquer or clear nail polish., Fabric suitcases that have had strong-smelling items spilled in them or that have been stored for a long period of time often develop unpleasant odors.
Prevent this by first spraying with a liquid air freshener such as Febreze.
Be careful not to spray air fresheners directly on leather!, Before storing your suitcase, place a solid air freshener inside to prevent musty smells from developing.
You can use commercial solid air fresheners, dryer sheets, unused bars of soap, cedar chips, or other similar items., Many suitcases become damaged through poor storage.
When putting your suitcase away, check the area thoroughly for leaks, musty odors, and mildew, and store it elsewhere if necessary., Do not place heavy items on top of your suitcase, as this can warp it over time.
If your suitcase is leather, aluminum, or hard plastic, wrap it in cloth to prevent scratches and scuffs while in storage.
About the Author
Rachel Griffin
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow home improvement tutorials.
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