When you come home after a long trip or vacation, the last thing on your mind is unpacking your suitcases. You’re probably exhausted after a long journey and just want to rest as soon as possible. We’ve all been there! Sometimes, suitcases remain unopened for days because you put off unpacking them and reorganizing your belongings.
One of the things people often forget is to clean the suitcases and bags they used on their trip. You’d be surprised how many bacteria and germs accumulate over time when your suitcases travel with you. In this article, you’ll learn more about this and how to clean them properly.
Use a vacuum cleaner
When cleaning your carry-on luggage, it is best to remove all your belongings from the suitcase first, making it empty. Then use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt or small particles that have accumulated in your suitcase over time.
Vacuum every corner of the suitcase and its various compartments. This will allow you to remove the dirt quickly and easily. You can also use the vacuum cleaner to remove dirt from the outside of your suitcase, as it is also well-suited for this purpose.
Use a damp cloth and a mild cleaning agent
After removing unwanted particles and dust with the vacuum cleaner, you can use an alcohol wipe pm the inside of your suitcase with a damp cloth and a mild cleaning agent. Pay attention to spilled liquids or particularly dirty areas on the inside and outside of the suitcase, as these areas need the most attention.
Rinse the inside of the suitcase with a little water and let it air dry completely before storing it; otherwise, mold may form if it is not dried properly. If the interior is made of fabric, use a fabric spray after wiping to remove unwanted odors. Don’t forget to use an alcohol wipe to clean the hard shell, wheels and handles of your suitcase as well!
Clean your suitcase after every trip
Imagine all the dirt, dust, and bacteria that accumulate over time when you move your suitcase around airports, hotels, and other environments. It’s impossible to say exactly how many bacteria have accumulated on the outer hard shell and inside the suitcase as well. It’s not a good idea to put your suitcase back in your clean closet without thoroughly cleaning it first.
Cleaning your suitcase after every trip also means that you’ll have a sparkling clean suitcase available for every new trip. You’ll be grateful that you kept your suitcase clean when you need to use it again next time.
What you need to clean your suitcase
Cleaning supplies:
- Laundry detergent
- Dishwashing liquid (you can make a mix of dish soap)
- Upholstery cleaner
- Disinfectant wipes
- All-purpose cleaner
Tools:
- Soft cleaning brush
- Microfiber cloth
- Small handheld vacuum cleaner
- A bucket or bowl
You can choose what works best for you from the items listed above. As long as you have one or two items from each category, you will have everything you need to regularly clean your suitcase and luggage. Remember to keep your suitcase clean, as you will be taking it home with you.
How to protect yourself from bed bugs in hotels
To protect your travel gear from bed bugs in hotels, it is advisable to take a few precautions. First of all, it is important to keep your luggage closed and as far away from the bed as possible. This reduces the risk of bed bugs getting into your luggage.
A good way to protect your luggage is to place it on the luggage rack, a table, or a chair. These elevated positions make it more difficult for bed bugs to crawl into your luggage. In addition, the choice of suitcase material can help: metal or hard shell suitcases offer insects fewer opportunities to attach themselves than fabric suitcases. Of course, you should also take these precautions when you return home and, to be on the safe side, unpack your suitcase far away from your bed.
