How to Clean Luggage: Remove Mildew, Mold, Stains and Dirt

What do you do when your luggage gets dirty or stained? Do you take it to a professional cleaner? Well, if you learn how to clean luggage yourself at home, you can save a lot of money and still keep it looking almost as good as new. So, here are some useful tips on how to take care of any type of luggage, whether it’s nylon, polyester, canvas, cotton, polycarbonate or leather.

Of course, you should take care of your luggage as much as possible so you won’t have to clean it as often. However, there are times when you won’t be in control of how your bags are handled, particularly if you check any bag for air travel or place them in a luggage hold any other time. Accidents can happen that can cause a stain to appear.

For storage, keep in mind these few simple tips. Frameless bags that are not foldable should be stuffed with rags or paper before storing to retain their shape. Leather bags should be stored in cotton bags or pillowcases. If your storage space allows it, try keeping softsided upright bags side by side instead of stacked on top of each other. Even better is if a smaller suitcase fits into a larger one, saving you lots of storage space. Place a packet of silica gel or a dryer sheet inside each bag to keep them dry and smelling fresh.

Before more rigorous cleaning, remove any detachable parts or lining and vacuum the suitcase’s or bag’s interior using the upholstery attachment. Hard surfaces, hinges and frames can be wiped clean with a damp cloth or Clorox wipe.

Many luggage brands come with specific instructions on how to care for their bags, but depending on the material used, there are some common methods and homemade cleaning solutions that work just as well for small stains and general upkeep. If you’re unsure about using any of these methods, just do a spot clean on any hard-to-see area first. Let’s take a look at the various cleaning methods now based on the material and type of luggage.
 

 

How to Clean Polyester or Ballistic Nylon Luggage

Polyester is easy to clean and Ballistic nylon gets its name from the tough Teflon treatment that repels most stains and dirt, so cleaning that is easy too. While some manufacturers recommend using a particular cleaner, most of the time you can skip it and just use a soft-bristled nylon brush dipped in a solution of warm water and mild soap. Clean the entire panel and not just the dirty spots. You can also use any upholstery cleaner that’s specifically meant for nylon or wool-nylon blend fabrics. Be careful not to use these cleaners on leather trim. Dry the bag completely in the shade before storing it.
 

How to Remove Mold and Mildew from Suitcases and Bags

If your soft sided luggage has been stored too long in a damp basement, chances are it will start to grow mold. To get rid of it, spray a solution of bleach and warm water over it. If it’s a fabric bag, you may not want the bleach causing the color to fade, so instead use a 1:1 solution of distilled white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. After a few minutes use a soft-bristled brush dipped in the solution and scrub the bag or suitcase all over and let it dry thoroughly (preferable in the sun) before using it. Some completely fabric or canvas bags can be dried in a dryer but check its label first.
 

 

How to Remove Stains from Luggage

For mild stains try using a mix of laundry detergent and water to spot clean the fabric. Tougher stains may benefit from an upholstery cleaner spray that you leave on for a few minutes and then you scrub off using a toothbrush or any soft-bristled brush.

If they’re wine stains from bottles that you checked in, first use any dry powder like baking soda, talcum powder, or table salt to absorb and lift any fresh from the fabric. After blotting the stain, apply either an oxi cleaner or 3 parts hydrogen peroxide and 1 part dishwashing liquid to the stain. Let it sit for 20 to 60 minutes, depending on how tough the stain is, and blot dry or wipe off with a clean damp cloth.
 

How to Clean Polycarbonate Luggage

Hardside luggage, especially polycarbonate, is becoming popular again but one of the main complaints that users have with is that they show the dirt and scratches very easily. Therefore try to handle all hardside luggage yourself, unless it is a checked bag.

Once your polycarbonate bag does get dirty from regular use, use a washcloth dipped in a very mild solution of warm water and dish washing soap to clean it. Clean the entire shell of the suitcase with this solution and not just the dirty spots. Next use a plain damp cloth to wipe off any soap residue, followed by a completely dry cloth to leave the shell clean and shiny. Do not leave any moisture behind or the stain will be visible.

If your polycarbonate or other hardsided luggage is showing scuff marks, use an eraser cleaning pad or even toothpaste with an abrasive sponge to scrub away and buff the area. Finish off by wiping the residue away with a dry cloth.
 

How to Clean Canvas Luggage

For light oil stains or soil, rub dry baking soda on the area and work it in with an old toothbrush. Use another toothbrush to clean off the residue. If the dirt is still showing, mix about 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of water and rub it in with a damp cloth. If it’s a stubborn stain, try using a mix of laundry detergent and water on the spot.

If you use either of the two wet methods, don’t get the canvas too wet and dry the bag immediately with a hand held dryer.

Many canvas bags can be machine washed, so check the tag to see if that’s possible for general cleaning.
 

How to Clean Cotton Bags

100% cotton bags with no trim, rigid base or quilting can usually be machine washed unless the tag says otherwise. Otherwise, just spot clean with laundry detergent and water. Lay the bag flat to dry.
 

How to Clean Leather Bags At Home

Most people think that cleaning an expensive leather bag by yourself is a mistake but it’s not. You can do general cleaning as well as removal of minor stains at home and take the bag to a professional leather cleaner only for difficult stains. With all of the following cleaning methods, make sure to follow up with a good leather conditioner to protect your bag from future stains and dirt and keep the leather beautiful and shiny.

For an easy way to always keep your bag looking new, regularly wipe it down with alcohol-free baby wipes and then immediately dry it with a soft towel or microfiber cloth.

When it’s time for a more thorough cleaning, use a good leather cleaner (could be manufacturer recommended). Instead of spraying the cleaner directly onto the bag, take a damp cloth and dip a corner into it. Apply the cleaner on a section and work up a lather. Repeat until you cover the the whole bag but be careful to not get the leather too wet. Dry it off thoroughly with a dry cloth. To ensure that the cleaner doesn’t sit on the bag too long, try cleaning and drying small areas at a time. Finish it up with a the protective leather conditioner.

Next comes stain removal. If it’s a water stain, take a slightly damp microfiber cloth and dip a corner into a mild liquid soap like Neutrogena or Dove and slowly rub it into the water stain using circular motions. Try to stay within the stain. After you do that for about a minute, take a clean part of your damp cloth and wipe the area off. Wait for a day to air dry and repeat if the stain is not completely gone. End with an application of leather conditioner.

If your carry pens in your bag or just accidentally nick the leather with an ink pen, take a cotton ball and wet it with rubbing alcohol. Gently apply it to just the stain. It will come right off and you may see a little bit of the color coming off onto the cotton ball as well. Don’t worry about it, as that will not show once you use the leather conditioner afterwards.

For small oil based stains, like from food spills, first remove as much of the dirt as possible with a dry cloth. Then take a pinch of cornstarch and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to allow it to draw out the oil. Next take an old toothbrush and gently but thoroughly work the cornstarch into the leather. Brush it off when you’re done and wipe off completely with a dry cloth.

Here’s a detailed video that shows you how to remove stains from leather bags.

 

How to Clean Luggage Wheels and Hardware

Luggage wheels are the parts that get the dirtiest for obvious reasons. To keep them rolling smoothly, remove any dried soil and loose dirt from them before wiping them down with a soap and water solution. There’s no need to lubricate them if they’re maintained regularly.

For the hardware or solid accessories on your bags, i.e. telescopic handle, zippers, locks and protective edges and bumpers, never use any kind of oil based cleaner as the oil can seep into the fabric or shell of the bag and stain it. Wipe down with soap and water and dry. If there are scratches, buff the area with a fine steel wool scrubber and seal with a protective coat of lacquer or even clear nail polish.
 

 

How to Get Rid of Bad or Musty Odors

Sprinkle dry baking soda all over the inside and outside of the bag and leave it for an hour or more, then vacuum it out. If the odor is still around, mix half a cup of lemon juice with half a cup of water and spray it all over the bag. Let it dry naturally in an area not directly under sunlight.
 

How to Clean Luggage From Bed Bugs

If you are unlucky enough to get bedbugs in your luggage, first spray the bag with 91% isopropyl alcohol to kill them on contact. Once they’re dead, vacuum out the entire bag, including the crevices.

So there you have it – simple methods on how to clean luggage of any kind!

All images from the public domain except for: © Jorge Royan / https://www.royan.com.ar / CC-BY-SA-3.0
Rossetti Borse by simbiosc, on Flickr