How to clean a suitcase according to the experts
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Summer’s finally here, and many of us are jetting away to soak up some well-deserved sunshine. But when the time comes to roll out your suitcase, it can be a mood dampener to be greeted by muddy wheels and a scuffed exterior.
The suitcase is one of those things around the home we rarely clean, we only give it an outing a few times a year. But, when you think about all the handling it gets with each trip, whether rolling it through the muddy puddles, or taking hits as it works its way through baggage, it’s no wonder if it looks worse for wear.
It’s not nice to think about all that mud and bacteria sitting under your bed or in your attic, but cleaning your suitcase can fix this. Whether you’re dealing with fabric, plastic or leather, we’ve got the answers. Follow our guidance, and your suitcase will look as good as new in no time.
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How to clean the inside of a suitcase
1. Empty the suitcase fully and remove any packing cubes for now. If compartments, straps and liners can be fully removed, place these in a laundry mesh bag and wash on a gentle cycle in your washing machine.
2. Invert and shake the bag to remove loose debris; do this over the bin if you can to avoid a mess. Next, use your vacuum cleaner with the upholstery attachment and a low suction setting to remove any dust or sand from the interior. The crevice tool can help you reach into the corners and inside any compartments.
3. A plain damp microfibre cloth can be run over your lining to refresh it; just don’t saturate it and leave it to dry fully.
4. If you’re dealing with fresh stains, blot up as much as possible with paper towels, taking care not to spread it. Or if they’ve dried, use a blunt knife to remove the excess before vacuuming away any residue. Then use a little warm soapy water and a toothbrush to remove the stain and rinse dry with a damp cloth. Failing that, you could use a stain remover suited to the stain, such as Dr Beckmann Nature and Cosmetics. Leave to dry opened up.
5. If your suitcase smells, apply bicarbonate of soda in a fine layer across both sides (using a sieve can help with this). Then close it up and leave for a few days before vacuuming it up. Bicarb is a natural deodoriser.
6. Refit your compartments and liners once dry, and the inside should look (and smell) as good as new.
How to clean the outside of a hard shell suitcase
1. While closed, clean the outside using a solution of warm soapy water and a soft microfibre cloth. Do not use anything abrasive on the surface and don’t apply too much pressure in case it scratches easily. Wipe in a circular direction or in the direction of any grooves or grain (if your suitcase has them), covering the sides as well as the front and back.
2. If you’re dealing with scuff marks on plastic, a proprietary cleaner could help, such as HG’s All Plastic Cleaner. Or alternatively, you could dilute some distilled white vinegar with water and apply that directly. Rinse afterwards.
3. Going forward, if you want to protect your suitcase from scratches and stains, a suitcase protector or luggage cover will help.
How to clean the outside of a softside suitcase
1. For general cleaning, warm soapy water is all you need here too; don’t overdo the soap as it can be tricky to fully remove, a couple of drops should do it. Apply it across the surface (don’t saturate the case) using a microfibre cloth. Some electric cleaning brushes come with upholstery attachments which could help work this in too. Rinse afterwards with a fresh damp cloth.
2. For any absorbed liquids or tricky stains, an upholstery cleaner can come to the rescue, such as Dr. Beckmann’s Upholstery stain remover. Follow the instructions on pack and rinse afterwards.
3. Once clean, leave it to dry in a well-ventilated space.
How to clean suitcase handles and wheels
1. Give the handles a scrub with warm soapy water and use an old toothbrush to reach into any crevices. Then rinse and dry with a microfibre cloth. You can disinfect any hard handles using wipes, such as Dettol’s Multipurpose Cleaning Wipes.
2. The wheels are where you’re likely to find the most dirt. Lean your suitcase on its side so the wheels are elevated and you can access them easily.
3. You can either clean them directly from here, or use a screwdriver to remove them from your case completely.
4. Either way, scrub the wheels with soapy water using an old toothbrush and work your way completely around each of them. If your wheels have spokes, remove any debris from the gaps with the brush. Rinse and then dry them by running a microfibre cloth over them before refitting (if necessary). If your wheels are looking worse for wear, your luggage brand may offer replacements, so this is worth checking.
How to clean a leather suitcase
1. First remove any immediate dirt by brushing it away with a soft bristled brush.
2. Then use a non-coloured leather cleaner to target any stained regions, such as Beeswax Leather Cleaner. Apply using a circular motion and always test in an inconspicuous area first.
3. We recommend protecting your leather luggage using a waterproofing spray, such as Liquiproof LABS Premium Protector.
4. If it does get wet, leave it to air dry in a well-ventilated spot, away from any heated radiators where it could crack.
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