Clean your
luggage
after each trip to keep it neat, tidy, and free of spots or odors. Here
is how to manage some popular types.
Today’s travelers have their choice of many different
kinds of luggage, and during a trip, the luggage always seems to get dirty.
Whether you fly, take a bus, or drive a car, suitcases and travel bags are
nearly guaranteed to be dirty by the time you get back. Since they can be
made of textures like canvas, leather, plastic or soft vinyl, nylon, and
aluminum, you will need to find a suitable cleanser for each type.
Leather is a more popular type of material for travel baggage.
Never get leather too wet, since moisture can cause damage. But you can
take a damp cloth and wipe away surface spots. Then you can buy saddle soap
from a shoe store, department store, or a leather goods store. Be sure to
check and follow directions on the can to condition the leather and make it
last.
Another widely used
substance is plastic or soft vinyl. Always remove any spots as soon as
possible with an all-purpose cleaner. But if that does not work, you need
to use the same solution with a white nylon backed scrub sponge or a
nonabrasive cleaner such as Formula 409. Then, to make it look good and
protect it, try a product like ARMOR ALL or any other kind of silicone
conditioner. It is a good idea to use ARMOR ALL every time you return from
a trip to help make your luggage last.
The next
product type is nylon or other synthetic fabrics. Use carpet or upholstery
cleaner, but make sure you don't get it too wet. Sponge
the solution lightly by working from the middle to the edges. Then apply
Formula 409 laundry pretreatment to non-greasy spots before you wash them,
and dry cleaning treatment K2R or a degreaser should take care of any
greasy or oily areas.
Canvas can be laundered in
the washing machine by using warm water, and then tumble dry it long enough
to get the wrinkles out. Don't wad up your bag and leave it lying wet
somewhere or it will become mildewed and your zippers might rust. After you
have cleaned your bag, you might want to apply a protective sealer.
Don't spray the black painted locks or the product will discolor
them.
Clean aluminum by using a mild cleanser
and gently go over the entire bag, then rinse it off and dry with clean
towels. That is about all you have to do, which makes this substance nice
to have with luggage.
Don’t forget the
inside of your luggage. If you spill anything inside, clean it up right
away. You can also use a vacuum on the inside. Try carpet and upholstery
cleaner and keep baking soda on hand for deodorizing the bag. Remember to
carry things that can spill or leak in waterproof containers. Pack zip lock
bags and keep plastic lawn bags for dirty clothes. Finally, wipe the wheels
and the handle with all-purpose cleaner.
The
next time you’re planning a trip, wheel your bags out of the closet
and they will be ready to go!