After a vacation or a long business trip, one is often confronted with an unwelcome question: How do I get my luggage sparkling clean again? Find out here what means you can use to free your suitcases from annoying stains and at the same time protect the material.
Cleaning leather suitcases
When cleaning leather suitcases, a lot can go wrong. After all, this natural product is susceptible to a variety of external influences. Therefore, proceed as follows:
- Familiarize yourself with the type of leather and its texture to determine the best care method for your suitcases.
- Never use products such as mink oil, shoe polish, or wax for suitcase care. If you are unsure, it is better to seek professional advice.
- Test the chosen cleaning agent on a small, inconspicuous area of your suitcase.
- Clean treated leather with a damp cloth moistened with a small amount of liquid soap. Rub the cloth on the leather without letting it get too wet. Then polish the luggage with a dry towel.
- Never rinse your leather suitcase with water.
- Treat dried leather with a special leather care product.
To remove mold stains, mix one cup of rubbing alcohol with one cup of water. Moisten a cloth with this mixture, remove the stain, and then rub with a clean cloth. Let the luggage air dry and then treat it with a conditioning product. This will make the leather soft again.
Cleaning luggage made of ballistic nylon & polyester
Luggage made of ballistic nylon or polyester can be cleaned safely and easily, as the material is stain-, dirt- and water-repellent. In addition, polyester luggage bags are particularly tear-resistant, flexible and extremely scratch-resistant. In most cases, water is therefore sufficient to remove stains. Nevertheless, you should bear a few points in mind to achieve the best possible results:
- Strong chemicals contained in some soaps can impair the natural shine and beautiful appearance of your luggage. Therefore, always use mild soap or a cleaning agent without aggressive chemicals. This ensures that no destructive reaction occurs. This will only benefit the lifespan of your suitcase.
- Brushes with nylon bristles are excellent for cleaning ballistic nylon suitcases. They do not scratch the luggage, do not soften the material, but at the same time clean the entire area and not just the dirty section.
- After cleaning the luggage, apply a chemical solution if possible to restore the stain-, dirt- and water-repellent properties of the material. Before using chemical solutions, read the instructions carefully.
Cleaning hard-shell suitcases
Suitcases made of ABS or polycarbonate hard shells are extremely robust. However, the choice of cleaning agents can affect the lifespan of your plastic suitcases. Therefore, please note the following points:
- Never use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, or steel wool to clean plastic.
- Never try to remove stubborn dirt by scratching with a sharp object.
- Strong solvents cause hairline cracks in plastics. Therefore, never use window cleaner, gasoline, methylated spirits, acetone, or carbon tetrachloride for cleaning.
- Clean transparent plastics with a mild soap or detergent and water. A weak aqueous ammonia solution and water can also be used, as long as you are not cleaning polycarbonates. Apply the cleaning agent with a soft cloth or a cellulose sponge and rinse everything thoroughly with clear water after cleaning. Blot the luggage dry with a chamois leather or a damp cellulose sponge. Otherwise, water spots could form.
- If you want to free acrylic from foreign substances such as sealant, protective paper, sealant, tar, grease, or fresh oil paint, you should apply hexane, high-quality naphtha, kerosene, or methanol with a soft cloth. For polycarbonate domes, high-quality naphtha, butyl cellosolve, or isopropyl alcohol is recommended.
- To maintain the shine of the plastic, apply a thin, even layer of automotive polish or automotive wax with a clean, soft cloth and polish lightly. Then wipe the luggage with a clean, damp cloth to eliminate static electricity. Otherwise, new dirt could easily be attracted.
Cleaning handles, zippers, and other fasteners
Do not use oil to care for the fixed accessories of your suitcases and bags. This will damage edges, straps, handles, zippers, and locks, which can lead to leakage. The result would be unsightly stains on clothes and the lined interior. It is best to use high-quality steel wool to polish fixed accessories and thus free them from dirt. The shine of these parts can be preserved by sealing them with ordinary nail polish.
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