The Suitcase Spa Day: How to Clean Yours Properly
Your suitcase goes through a lot: airport floors, overhead lockers, the occasional spill, and more carousels than you can count. A little regular care keeps it looking sharp and helps it perform at its best for years of travel to come. Whether you're working with a hard shell or a softside case, this guide walks you through cleaning it properly, inside and out, plus a few habits that make the next clean even easier.
What You'll Need Before You Start
You don't need a cupboard full of products for this. A soft cloth, warm water and a little mild, pH-neutral soap will cover most of the job for both the exterior and interior. For touchpoints like handles, locks, the wheel handle and zip pullers, disinfectant wipes are handy, particularly useful when you're travelling. A soft brush or old toothbrush is worth having for wheels, and a vacuum with a crevice tool makes light work of seams and corners.
A couple of things to avoid: don't use cleaners that contain alcohol directly on the shell, as these can damage it, and steer clear of bleach, strong solvents and abrasive scrubbing. Always keep your cloth lightly dampened rather than wet, too much moisture risks seeping inside the case.
How to Clean the Inside of Your Suitcase
Start here, regardless of whether you're working with a hard shell or a softside case, since the interior routine is largely the same for both.
Empty the case completely, including any detachable dividers, laundry bags or name tags, then give it a shake outside to clear loose dust. Vacuum the seams, corners and zip track with a crevice tool, this is where crumbs, sand and general travel debris tend to settle.
Wipe the fixed interior with a soft cloth lightly dampened with warm water and a little mild soap, avoiding heavy scrubbing, as this can cause discolouration over time. Rinse off any soap residue with a clean, lightly damp cloth, then dry thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth before leaving the case open to air dry completely.
If your case has a removable interior lining, you can take care of it separately. Carefully remove the inner components and lining, then machine wash at a maximum of 30°C on a delicate or handwash programme, don't tumble dry. If it needs ironing, use a low temperature suitable for synthetic or delicate fabrics. Make sure everything is completely dry before reattaching it and storing your suitcase.
How to Clean a Hard Shell Suitcase
Clean the exterior with a soft, soapy cloth and warm water, working in sections. Pay extra attention to touchpoints like handles, locks, the wheel handle and zip pullers, since these pick up the most grime.
Once you've worked your way round, rinse off any soap residue with a clean, lightly damp cloth, then dry the exterior thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth. Leave the case open to air dry completely before storing it somewhere cool and dry.
When you're travelling, disinfectant wipes are a handy way to refresh touchpoints like handles, locks and pullers on the go, just avoid using alcohol-based products directly on the shell itself, as this can damage the surface over time.
How to Clean a Softside Suitcase
For fabric cases, the same gentle approach applies. Wipe the exterior with a soft cloth lightly dampened with warm water and a little mild soap, working with the weave of the fabric rather than against it, and avoid soaking the material.
Rinse with a clean, lightly damp cloth to lift any soap, then dry thoroughly and leave the case open to air dry fully before storing it somewhere cool and dry.
If you also travel with a backpack or other soft travel bag, it's worth knowing these shouldn't go in the washing machine, tumble dryer or be dry cleaned, ironed or bleached, all of which can damage the fabric, coatings and overall performance. Stick to a soft cloth, lukewarm water and a little mild, pH-neutral detergent for spot cleaning, then let it air dry completely before using or storing it again.
Don't Forget the Details: Handles, Zips and Wheels
These are the parts that pick up the most grime, simply because they're the parts you, and everyone else, touch most.
Wipe handles, locks and zip pullers with a disinfectant wipe, then dry with a soft cloth. It's also worth always unzipping your case fully before opening or packing it, partially open zips put extra tension on the teeth and track, which can cause them to warp over time.
For wheels, remove any trapped hair or grit with a soft brush or old toothbrush, then wipe the housings with a lightly soapy cloth followed by a clean, lightly damp one. Dry thoroughly, wheels that stay damp are more prone to picking up dirt again quickly.
A Quick Clean After Every Trip
For a fast post-trip refresh, you don't need the full routine, just two minutes is enough. Give the touchpoints, handles, locks, the wheel handle and zip pullers, a wipe with a disinfectant wipe, then shake out any loose dust or debris from the interior. If you spot a mark on the exterior, a quick once-over with a lightly damp soapy cloth takes care of it.
Save the full vacuum, interior wipe-down and complete air-dry for every few trips, or whenever the case has had a harder journey than usual.
Keeping Your Suitcase Fresh Between Trips
A few small habits go a long way between cleans. A suitcase cover helps shield your case from scuffs and general grime in transit, particularly useful if you're checking your case in regularly. Store your suitcase in a cool, dry place, ideally left open slightly rather than zipped shut, and always pack liquids in sealed pouches to avoid spills you'll only have to clean up later. A toiletry bag or beauty case keeps make-up, skincare and other liquids contained and organised, so even the odd leak stays well away from your clothes and the lining of your case.
Ready for Your Next Trip?
A clean, dry suitcase performs better and looks better trip after trip. A little care after every journey is really all it takes to keep yours travel-ready for years to come.
Still deciding between a hard shell and a softside case? Our hardside vs softside luggage guide breaks down which suits your travel style best.
FAQ
Can you use a hairdryer to dry a suitcase faster?
It's best to avoid direct heat sources like hairdryers, radiators or tumble dryers when drying a suitcase, as concentrated heat can warp hard shells or damage fabric and coatings on softside cases. Air drying is the safest method for both types. If you're short on time, leaving the case open in a well-ventilated room, or near an open window, speeds things up naturally without any risk to the materials.
Can you clean a suitcase with a hose or pressure washer?
No, it's best to avoid hosing down or pressure washing your suitcase, even if it's looking particularly grubby after a trip. Forcing water directly at the case, especially around zips, seams and wheel housings, can push moisture inside and damage the lining or fittings. A soft cloth and a little mild soap will lift most dirt safely, no high-pressure water needed.
How do you stop a suitcase from smelling musty in storage?
Musty smells usually come down to trapped moisture, so the best prevention is making sure your suitcase is completely dry before it goes into storage. Store it in a cool, dry place rather than a damp loft or garage, and leave it open a crack rather than fully zipped shut, this allows air to keep circulating even while it's not in use. If you're storing your case for an extended period, it's also worth giving it a quick check every so often, particularly if the storage space itself tends to get humid.