If you’re lucky enough to have a suitcase with entirely removable lining, then all you need to do is take it out of your suitcase. If there are any other detachable pockets, make sure to remove those as well, until your luggage is entirely bare.

Find the tag somewhere on that lining to tell you exactly what you can and can’t do with it. You can see in the image above that the lining is my suitcase is not machine washable, so I will need to spot-clean it.

If your tag says your lining is machine washable, just throw it in the washer on gentle cycle, and then let it air dry. Do not put the lining back into the suitcase until it is 100% dry, or you risk getting mildew – a damp and dark suitcase is like a heaven to fungus.

To wash it by hand get a big washbowl and fill it with warm water and some washing detergent. Then, scrub the lining just like you would a normal T-shirt.

Pro-tip: if you want your suitcase to smell lovely when you use it the next time; after you’ve cleaned the lining to the best of your abilities, get some warm water and your favorite fabric softener. Soak it up in it a while, and then rinse it with clean water. Once the lining is dry, it’s going to smell lovely – just like your freshly washed clothes.

Cleaning The Exterior Of A Suitcase

Once the interior of your suitcase is completely dry, you can now begin cleaning its exterior.

First, make sure that it is entirely closed so that no moisture can leak inside it. And then go to the section about the type of your suitcase – leather, plastic, and nylon are all cleaned differently.