Sanitize your Suitcase

I don’t know who needs to hear this but…..

Sanitize. Your. Suitcase.

SERIOUSLY.

I know none of us are traveling right now, given COVID 19 lock-downs and restrictions. Rightfully so!

But I actually took a flight this past Sunday.

Before anyone jumps down my throat, I was extremely cautious, vigorously wiped everything in site, had hand sanitizer in tow, and a mask at the ready. To be honest, the airport was a ghost town and there were 8 people on my flight. I sat three rows away from anyone. My biggest fear though was my suitcase. I did have to check one bag and my carry on was checked at the gate because it was such a small plane. I had no idea where they had been or who had touched them from Tampa to Raleigh. Luckily, I knew how to sanitize my suitcase the right way and cover every nook and cranny before letting that suitcase enter my parents house.

If I’m being honest, I don’t think I’ve ever actually deep cleaned my suitcases besides the general shake out of debris between trips. What better time to clean out your suitcases for your future trips to come!

WHAT YOU MAY NEED

• Microfiber type of cloth

• Disinfecting wipes

• Cleaning spray

• Lysol

• Mr Clean magic eraser

• Vacuum

• Tide To-Go pen

For the wheels and handles

These are the MOST important parts. I mean think about all the places your wheels have been? If you’re like me, that’s cobblestone streets in Rome, dragged through the gravel and dirt in Switzerland, a cruise ship, and too many baggage claim belts to count. Plus think how many people handle your suitcase when you check a bag; that handle should be wiped frequently anyway! You can use disinfecting wipes for the handle bars, but I’d suggest using disinfecting spray on a microfiber cloth to get those wheels. Fully rotate them around a few times to get everything off.

Make sure to extend the handle too to get the legs of it. Leave it out to dry before retracting it.

For cloth material suitcases

While you can use a wipe, I would suggest also fully spraying it down a soft suitcase with Lysol. Focus on the corners, as well as the bottom of the suitcase. Don’t forget to expand the suitcase to get that fabric too! For stains, you can use a Tide to-go pen. Just be cautious to try any new cleaning products- try it first on the bottom or an inconspicuous corner to spot test in case it changes the color of the fabric.

For hard-sided suitcases

These are obviously easier to clean than the cloth sided ones because dirt & germs can’t embed themselves into the fabric. Since my AWAY suitcase is such a light pink color I like to use a magic eraser to get all the scuff marks off of it. Then I take the disinfecting wipes to cover that whole bad boy clean.

Again, use the wipe allll the way around handles, around the bottom, etc. Leave no germ behind!

For the inside of the suitcase

To start, grab your vacuum. Use the smaller detachment if you have one to get in the little spaces especially by the zippers and inside pockets. Again, use a Tide to-go pen for any stains. I also like to still wipe down the whole thing inside with a microfiber cloth & disinfecting spray to grab any dirt my vacuum might have missed.

There you have it! 

Now your suitcase is sanitized and ready for all your amazing adventures to come!

Sincerely,

Sarah

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