When you return from a trip, the last thing on your mind is probably cleaning your suitcase. However, taking a bit of time to do so is essential for keeping it in good condition, particularly before you put it away.
Cleaning a suitcase is pretty easy and should only take about 10-15 minutes. Follow the steps below to get your suitcase looking fresh and ready for your next trip, otherwise you will be asking help from cleaners in Birmingham.
How to Clean Your Suitcase
The first step is to unpack your case – this is the same regardless of whether you have a hard or soft suitcase. So, unpack your stuff, put things in the wash, and get ready to clean. It’s best to do the unpacking and cleaning somewhere like a dining table or kitchen to avoid tracking dirt through your house.
How to Clean a Hard-Sided Case
To clean the outside of a hard-sided suitcase, you’ll need either an all-purpose cleaning spray or a mix of washing up liquid and water. Either way, use any cloth you have to hand – you don’t need to be particular with this.
You should avoid using any bleach-based sprays. Hard-sided cases are often made from polycarbonate or metal, so use a relatively mild but antibacterial spray to tackle cleaning.
The steps are as follows:
- Wet your cloth either in the hot soapy water or by running it under a tap. If you’re using a spray, spray it directly onto the suitcase.
- Wipe the case down, starting at the top and working to the bottom. The bottom will likely be dirtier, but this’ll depend on how your case was stored.
- Dry any excess moisture with a clean cloth.
How to Clean a Soft-Sided Case
In theory, cleaning a soft-sided case is a bit harder. This is because the material is more porous, so moisture can soak into it. However, if you’re just dealing with dust and general muck, then it shouldn’t matter too much.
To properly clean a soft-sided case, use warm soapy water and a cloth. The method is fairly simple:
- Wet your cloth in the soapy water and then wring it out thoroughly so it’s only slightly damp.
- Wipe the case down from the top to the bottom.
- Leave it somewhere to dry thoroughly before putting it away.
If your case is stained, consider using an upholstery stain remover to deal with this. Soft-sided cases are usually polyester or nylon, so make sure any stain remover you buy is suitable for synthetic materials.
Cleaning Wheels and Handles
Wheels and handles are usually plastic and metal, so clean them with an antibac spray and a cloth. It’s likely that your suitcase’s wheels are a bit scuffed, which will make cleaning them a bit more difficult. However, the wheels are possibly where a lot of the grime is found.
If you’re feeling really motivated, you could unscrew them and wash them separately. This’ll at least mean they’re properly clean, which is helpful if you’ve recently dragged them through airports, hotels, and who knows what else!
