Experts' Guide to Cleaning Your Suitcase After Vacation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Experts are recommending travelers clean their suitcases after every trip. According to Courtney Landry, Norwex's product development manager, our suitcases pick up more dirt and germs than we realize. 

There are many benefits to sow from cleaning our luggage after a vacation. Not only for hygiene purposes, cleaning your suitcase would also help prevent infection and other health risks and help preserve the suitcase’s mint condition. 

Here’s what experts have to say about how to clean your suitcase after a vacation:

How to clean the outside

Influencer Jami Adams shared some tips to clean the outside of your suitcase with HuffPost. According to Jamie, the best way to clean the outside parts of luggage would be to get some soapy water or a multi-purpose cleaner and a scrub brush.

“Then, gently scrub the entire exterior with the soapy water,” Adams advised. “Pay special attention to the handle and wheels! The handle is a main touch point that can harbor a lot of bacteria.”

In addition to scrubbing the handle and wheels with soapy water, she also recommended running a disinfecting wipe over those areas, as well as the zipper and any other spots you want to treat.

If there’s any visible spot or dirt buildup, you can use a multipurpose cleaning solution on a damp microfiber cloth. At the end of the process, consider putting your suitcase outside for quick drying if it’s warm out, or just let it air out in your house for a bit before putting it away. Do what you can to keep your luggage clean and fresh before you go on your next vacation.

How to clean the inside

The inside of a suitcase also requires cleaning. According to Jamie Adams, the best way to clean the interior of a suitcase is to first use a blow dryer or a handheld vacuum to get rid of dirt or sand that may be sitting in the bottom of the suitcase.  After, scrub the inside with a damp, soapy microfiber cloth.

As with the exterior, use disinfecting spray or wipe the interior down with a disinfecting cloth. You must also clean the spots left behind by spilled shampoo or soap.

Patrick Richardson recommended vinegar and water to spray onto the suitcase interior until damp then wipe it down with a dry towel. The vinegar can cut through the soap, he said. 

“And if there’s a moldy smell or anything from packing your suitcase with damp items, (vinegar) will help as well,” Richardson said.

Don’t forget you can often remove your suitcase inserts and wash and dry those separately as well. Otherwise, leave your luggage open to air-dry and prevent moisture buildup.

TEMPO.CO | HUFFPOST

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