The One Thing You Always Travel with That’s Actually Disgusting (And How to Keep It Clean)

When embarking on a trip, your luggage is constantly being packed and unpacked. Then, when you arrive back home, you’ll take out your clothes and toss them in the laundry or update your toiletry bag before your next travel plans. But when was the last time you cleaned your luggage? 

Your luggage interacts with various people and places, picking up dirt and germs along the way. Keeping it clean will not only keep it in good condition for longer, but it will also clear away all the disgusting things that might follow you home. 

“I know not many people take time to clean their luggage, but if you did a deep cleaning, you would be absolutely disgusted by what comes out of it! Even if we don’t see it, carrying it around the world gathers a ton of dust and dirt!” says Stephanie Rytting, a travel expert, travel author, and the founder of France Adventurer. 

Below, travel experts share how you can keep your luggage clean at all points of travel. 

It’s easy to forget about luggage between trips once all the unpacking is handled. But that suitcase is gathering dust the moment it’s stored away. “A quick wipe-down of the exterior and disinfecting of handles before packing helps ensure you’re not transferring any hidden germs onto your clothes and personal items,” says Lee Dobson, a travel expert and co-founder of Travel City. A good idea as well is to give the interior a quick vacuum to get rid of any dust or leftover debris.

“Before going somewhere, I always make it a point to thoroughly clean my luggage, both inside and out,” says Rytting. This simple ritual not only ensures a fresh start, but also helps to prevent the transfer of any lingering germs or odors from previous trips. Rytting’s cleaning method is a classic: Use soap and water. “A gentle mixture of warm water and mild soap, coupled with a soft-bristled brush, can work wonders in refreshing the exterior of your luggage,” says Rytting.

When traveling, your luggage is often changing hands and touching various surfaces. This may include the airport conveyor belts, the trunk of that rideshare, the overhead compartments of a plane or train, and ultimately a series of hotel rooms. “I always recommend packing a small supply of disinfectant wipes to clean handles and wheels during layovers or when you arrive at your destination,” says Dobson. These high-contact areas are hotspots for germs that can easily be transferred to your hands.

The easiest course of action is to stay on the cleanliness of the luggage. “Whenever possible, I keep my suitcase off the ground, whether in hotel rooms or while waiting in transit areas,” says Rytting. This simple precaution helps to minimize the accumulation of dirt and grime that can quickly accumulate on the exterior.

Once you’ve returned home, this is the time for a deeper cleaning. “This prevents any unwanted souvenirs, such as bed bugs or other pests, from hitching a ride into my living space,” says Rytting. She also recommends inspecting the interior of the luggage and getting rid of any remaining crumbs or grime that may have accumulated during the journey.

A thorough post-trip cleaning job helps to avoid a bigger mess down the line, too. “Just recently, I had a peculiar musty odor emanating from my suitcase. When I inspected it, I discovered a small spill from a previous journey that had gone unnoticed and had begun to cultivate an unpleasant growth of mold and mildew,” says Rytting.  

She promptly took the necessary steps to thoroughly disinfect and deodorize the luggage. In addition to using her soap and water, Rytting likes to use high-pressure water to get it cleaned. “The dirt and mud that came out were absolutely unbelievable!” says Rytting. “The water was brown, and it definitely reminded me to clean, clean, and then clean again!”