Your suitcase has joined you on vacations, weekend breaks, and business trips all over the world and probably has the scuffs and stains to prove it! But while cleaning your luggage is likely the last thing on your mind when you arrive home after a long journey, knowing how to clean a suitcase is an important skill for every traveler to have.
In this handy guide, we’ll teach you how to clean hard shell luggage, how to clean a fabric suitcase, and how to keep the inside of any suitcase clean and tidy. We’ll give you all the best tips to keep the outside and inside of your favorite luggage looking as good as new and answer your burning questions about prolonging your luggage’s life.
Ready? Let’s get scrubbing!
What You’ll Need to Clean Your Suitcase
Before you get started, gather a few cleaning essentials so everything you need is within reach. What you use will depend on your suitcase material and how much cleaning it needs, but keeping things simple is usually best.
For most luggage, you’ll want to have a soft cloth, mild soap or detergent, warm water, and a handheld vacuum nearby. A soft-bristled brush can also come in handy for getting into wheels, seams, and other harder-to-reach areas.
Always check the care instructions for your specific suitcase before applying a new cleaning product, and test it on a small, less-visible area first.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting Your Suitcase
Cleaning and disinfecting your suitcase serve different purposes. Cleaning helps remove everyday dirt, dust, stains, and travel grime, while disinfecting focuses on high-touch areas like handles, locks, and zipper pulls.
A simple post-trip routine can include both, helping your luggage feel fresh and ready for wherever you’re headed next. Just be sure to check the care instructions for your suitcase before using any cleaning or disinfecting products.
How to Clean Hard Shell Luggage
Properly caring for your hard shell luggage is the best way to guarantee your suitcase will last for years to come. Knowing how to clean luggage is also really important for hygiene reasons. Your luggage can pick up tons of dirt and bacteria while traveling through airports, train stations, and city streets, so it’s best to give it a quick clean as soon as you get back from your trip to help prevent those germs from spreading to your home!
Here are some of the best ways to clean your hard shell suitcase.
1. Empty Your Suitcase
Before we can tell you how to clean a suitcase, you should really unpack. Make sure you’ve removed all your belongings and checked any inside pockets and compartments — watch out for those pesky smaller items like bobby pins, watches, and plug adapters!
Throw your clothes in the washing machine and start a hot wash right away. This will reduce the risk of bringing bacteria or bed bugs into your home.
Emptying your suitcase and putting everything away before cleaning is also the best way to avoid damaging your belongings. You don’t want to get any cleaning chemicals on delicate items, so make sure your luggage is completely empty before you begin.
2. Wipe Everything Down
The next step is to use a mild cleaning solution to wipe down the outside of your hard shell case.
Water and mild soap might be old school, but it’s usually the best choice here. Mild, all-purpose cleaners are another great option because they’re gentle, non-abrasive, and easily remove dirt or grime.
The important thing to remember is that harsh chemical cleaners like bleach will be too strong for this step. Using them could potentially damage your favorite suitcase, which isn’t worth the risk!
3. Sanitize High-Touch Surfaces
If your recent trip involved any flights or staying in a hotel, you probably aren’t the only person who’s handled your suitcase. Plus, whenever you hop on that airport shuttle or city bus and hold on to the grab bar, you can pick up germs and transfer them to your suitcase’s high-touch areas like the handles, locks, and zippers.
A good way to combat this is to sanitize any high-touch surfaces on your luggage. Use disinfectant wipes containing at least 60% alcohol to clean locks, zippers, and any handles on your suitcase. Once you’ve wiped these surfaces, make sure they stay wet for at least 30 seconds to kill the bacteria.
4. Let Dry Completely Before Use
Once you’re done cleaning your hard shell luggage, it’s important to let it dry off completely before storing it away or using it again.
This is a key step that some people forget when figuring out how to clean luggage. Air drying — preferably in the sun — helps avoid trapping any moisture that could lead to mold or mildew.
How to Get Rid of Scuff Marks on Hard Shell Luggage?
Scuff marks are just a fact of life when you’re using hard shell luggage. But don’t worry — they’re really easy to remove!
Using a non-abrasive eraser (like a melamine sponge or magic eraser) is a great way to remove any scuffs from the outside of your suitcase. But before you start scrubbing, test the eraser on an inconspicuous part of your suitcase to see if it damages the finish.
Another great way to clean scuffs off a suitcase is to mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply the paste to the scuffs with a soft cloth and buff gently. Pretty soon, your luggage will be as good as new.
How to Clean Soft-Sided Luggage
If your favorite suitcase is made from fabric rather than a hard shell, you’ll need to take a slightly different approach to cleaning.
Learning how to clean soft-sided luggage without causing any damage to the material is as easy as following the steps below.
1. Start With an Empty Suitcase
Just like cleaning hard shell luggage, you should always start with an empty bag. Get all those travel goodies out to give yourself a blank slate to start cleaning.
2. Spot Treat Outside Stains
When deciding how to clean a fabric suitcase, choosing a fabric-safe stain remover is a great choice. Or, try mixing a small amount of mild laundry detergent with water. These are great for spot-treating any stains on the outside of your suitcase.
Gently rub the stains to work the cleaning products into the fabric.
3. Rinse Away Cleaning Residue
Once you’ve spot treated any stains, it’s time for a rinse. After all, you don’t want the cleaning products you’ve used to leave residue or stains of their own on your soft-sided luggage.
Just use a soft, damp cloth to gently wipe away any cleaning products and suds they’ve left behind.
4. Let Dry Completely Before Use
You know the drill: you need to let your suitcase dry completely before using it again.
This is especially important when you’re cleaning a fabric suitcase. Letting your bag dry helps maintain the fabric’s integrity and prevents mold and mildew growth.
How to Clean the Inside of a Suitcase
Knowing how to clean the inside of a suitcase is a skill in itself! Here’s how to keep the inside of your luggage free from dust, dirt, and odors.
1. Remove Belongings from the Suitcase
We’ve said it before, but this time, it’s especially important — make sure you’ve taken everything out of your bag! Be sure to check any pockets, detachable pouches, and compartments to make sure you’ve found everything.
2. Vacuum Out Any Debris
Time to break out your vacuum! Use a handheld vacuum or the hose on your floor vacuum to suck up any dust, crumbs, and debris from the inside of your case. Pay extra attention to the seams and corners to make sure you get everything.
3. Spot Treat Inside Stains
Spot treating is the best way to remove any stains from the inside of your suitcase. A mild detergent mixed with water or a gentle fabric cleaner are great options here. Gently dab the stain without soaking the surrounding material and your favorite bag will be as good as new.
For future trips, keeping beauty essentials contained in a dedicated organizer like the Medium Clear Cosmetics Case in Croc-Embossed in Dark Cherry Croc can help keep smaller items together and separate from the rest of your suitcase.
4. Disinfect and Remove Unwanted Odors
Gone through all the steps of how to clean a suitcase, but it still smells a little funky? Here’s how to get it smelling fresh again.
Use a gentle disinfectant spray or a disinfectant wipe to sanitize and clean the inside of your suitcase. This will help to get rid of any bacteria that might be causing bad odors.
Then, use a fabric freshener, a dryer sheet, or a sprinkle of baking soda to help keep any stinky smells at bay.
5. Let Dry Completely Before Use
When it comes to cleaning the inside of a suitcase, it’s super important to give the material enough time to dry properly. Let the inside of your luggage air dry fully before closing the lid to prevent mold and mildew build-up.
How to Clean Suitcase Wheels
Your suitcase wheels cover a lot of ground, literally. From airport terminals and hotel lobbies to sidewalks and parking lots, they can pick up plenty along the way. Giving them a little attention after a trip can help keep your suitcase clean from top to bottom.
Start by checking around each wheel for hair, lint, or other debris and gently remove anything that’s caught. Then, use a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush with a small amount of mild soap and water to clean around the wheels and wheel housings. Avoid oversaturating the area, especially around hardware.
Once you’re finished, wipe away any remaining residue and let the wheels dry completely before storing your luggage.
Don’t Forget These Parts of Your Suitcase
The shell and interior might get most of the attention, but some of the hardest-working parts of your suitcase deserve a clean, too. Before you call it a day, give these areas a once-over:
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Handles: Wipe down top, side, and telescoping handles, especially after a flight.
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Wheels: After cleaning your suitcase wheels, give them a final check for any dirt or debris you may have missed.
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Zippers and zipper pulls: Gently wipe around frequently handled areas.
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Locks: Clean the exterior surface without soaking the mechanism.
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Bottom and edges: These areas can come into contact with floors and other surfaces throughout your journey.
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Interior pockets: Empty and vacuum pockets where crumbs, dust, and small debris can hide.
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Seams and corners: Use a vacuum or soft brush to reach those easy-to-miss spaces.
A quick check of these spots can make your luggage cleaning routine feel a lot more complete.
How to Keep Your Suitcase Clean Between Trips
A little upkeep between adventures can make your next post-trip clean much easier. Once you get home, unpack your suitcase completely, remove any leftover debris, and let the interior air out before putting it away.
While you’re traveling, keeping your belongings organized can also help protect the inside of your suitcase. The Packing Cubes 5-Piece Set in Pink Sand gives clothing a designated place, while Shoe Cubes - Set of 2 in Leopard create a dedicated space for shoes. For toiletries and other items that could spill, water resistant pouches add another layer of organization between your essentials and the inside of your bag.
It’s also worth giving the wheels, handles, zippers, and hardware a quick check between trips. Think of it as a reset for your luggage, so when it’s time to pack again, your suitcase is ready to go when you are.
How to Store Luggage After Cleaning
Once your suitcase is clean, give it time to dry completely before storing it. Make sure the interior, exterior, pockets, and other cleaned areas are dry before closing everything up.
Choose a clean, dry storage space where your luggage can stay protected between trips. Before putting it away, double-check the pockets for anything you may have missed and make sure there’s no lingering moisture inside.
When your next trip rolls around, all that’s left to do is pull out your suitcase and start packing.
Keep Your Luggage Ready for What’s Next
A little routine care can go a long way in keeping your suitcase clean, fresh, and ready for your next trip. Whether you’re wiping down a hard shell, spot cleaning soft-sided luggage, or refreshing the interior, the right care helps your luggage stay in rotation for wherever you’re headed next.
Looking for your next favorite suitcase for an upcoming trip? Shop CALPAK luggage today!
Luggage Cleaning Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? We’ve got answers! Here are some tips and tricks based on the most common questions about how to clean luggage.
What is the Best Way to Clean Luggage?
The best way to clean luggage depends on what type of luggage it is, whether it needs a deep clean, and how much time you want to spend cleaning. For soft-sided luggage, it’s best to spot-clean the fabric with a soft, damp cloth. Or if you have hard shell luggage, go for water and mild soap to wipe down your suitcase.
Can You Get a Suitcase Professionally Cleaned?
If you’re stumped about how to clean luggage, don’t have the right supplies on hand, or just don’t have the time to do it yourself, you can get your luggage professionally cleaned.
To find the right cleaner for your bag, try searching online for cleaners in your area who specifically mention luggage cleaning in their list of services.
Can You Wash a Suitcase?
Most suitcases are better suited to careful hand cleaning rather than being completely washed or soaked. For hard shell luggage, mild soap and water can help remove everyday dirt and grime. Soft-sided luggage can typically be spot treated with a mild cleaning solution and soft cloth.
Since materials and construction can vary, always check the care instructions for your specific suitcase before cleaning.
How to Keep the Inside of Your Luggage Clean?
One of the best ways to keep the inside of your luggage clean is to keep everything you pack in your bag organized. Travel organizers and pouches help keep all the little bits and pieces you pack corralled and help keep your luggage clean.
Packing cubes can help you organize your travel wardrobe, and makeup bags can keep powders from piling up in your bag. Use water resistant pouches to stop toiletry spills and leaks, and try shoe cubes in leopard to keep all those nasty road germs off the rest of your travel gear.
