No matter how big your group is, traveling with kids can be tiring, and I wouldn’t blame you for immediately collapsing on the couch when you get home. But before you start the daunting task of unpacking, packing your clothes, and readjusting to life at home, you may want to give your luggage a deep clean.
I know, I know. Before you roll your eyes, hear me out.
In addition to the risk of bringing home bed bugs and other unexpected souvenirs, your travel bags can also pick up a lot of nasty germs during the move, and there’s no better time than to unpack them to make sure they’re in top condition . The future—The next time you’re ready to hit the road or fly across the friendly skies, you’ll be relieved to find your family’s clean luggage already packed away.
Goodbye bedbugs and other creepy crawlies
Once you get home, it’s a good idea to leave your luggage outside so you can inspect them thoroughly for signs of hitchhiking.
First, remove all items and inspect every crevice of each bag, including pockets, corners, and folds of fabric. With a flashlight, you’ll want to look for black spots, dead insects, or live bugs (ugh, I know). Bed bugs in particular are tiny, only as wide as a credit card, which means that if you don’t act quickly, bringing even one home could result in a bed bug infestation. Washing all clothing in each travel bag immediately at high temperatures can help reduce the risk, as bed bugs die when their body temperatures reach 113°F.
If you’re particularly concerned about bed bugs or other critters tracking your home, wrapping your luggage individually in trash bags and storing it outdoors for two days can help alleviate your concerns.
Give them the old dazzle
Once you confirm that there are no signs of life in your suitcases, you may wonder why you can’t just hide them away until your next adventure. Kim Romine, fabric care scientist at Procter & Gamble (P&G), tells Scary Mom there are two main reasons why giving your suitcase some love is a good idea.
clean: “During travel, travel bags come into contact with a variety of surfaces, including hotel floors, transportation seats and airport security checkpoints,” Romine said. “Sometimes the items you carry in your bag can spill and cause stains on your luggage. Cleaning your luggage can help remove any built-up dirt or other grime that may have collected during your trip.
Prevent odor: “Over time, travel bags can develop unpleasant odors due to dirt that accumulates in the environment, dirty clothes in the bag, or spills from products you may be carrying,” she adds. “Cleaning your bags will help eliminate those odors and keep them fresh for future use.”
There’s nothing more appealing than opening your suitcase only to find suspicious stains, leftover snack crumbs, or a weird smell, so clearing it out now can help your family keep everything airy before your next trip.
Suitcase solutions
Romine recommends using a disinfectant spray, such as Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray, to help eliminate odor-causing (or virus-producing) bacteria that may follow you home. She offers some key tips for removing stains.
- Remove excess soil: “Before using any cleaner, gently wipe the soiled area with a towel or use a vacuum hose to remove as much dirt as possible.”
- Use stain remover or cleaner: “Apply a small amount of liquid detergent, such as Tide, to a clean, damp cloth,” she adds. “Gently wipe the stained or muddy area until it is clear. Then, use a second clean, damp cloth to wipe any remaining detergent from the fabric. Let the suitcase air dry.
- Clean if possible: “If the travel bag is washable, refer to the care label for machine wash instructions,” she advises. “It may help to add a few towels to balance the load. Use a high-quality detergent and wash on a normal delicate cycle.
To clean your hard luggage, follow these steps:
- Surface cleaning: “Apply a small amount of liquid cleaner to a cloth and clean the surface of your hard luggage,” says Romine. “Gently wipe the entire surface to remove dirt and stains.”
- Treating Tough Wear Marks: “For stubborn scuff marks, consider using a cleaning eraser or a cleaning product with scrubbing capabilities,” she adds. “Follow the instructions provided by the product manufacturer to safely remove marks.”
To keep your travel bag looking its best, Romine recommends that you “test a cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire surface. Additionally, follow any specific instructions provided by the suitcase manufacturer.” Or recommend cleaning and maintenance.
Look, I know you have a running to-do list built up in your brain before you even get back to your zip code. But when it comes to bed bugs, sticky spills, and other travel hazards, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure, and you’ll be glad you took the time to disinfect your suitcase before doing anything else.
