How to care for your suitcase: cleaning the shell, wheels and lining
What to clean the shell with and what to avoid, how to deal with scratches, clean the wheels and lining, store your suitcase and when to use the warranty.
Contents
- Clean the shell with a soft cloth, warm water and mild soap, then wipe with a clean damp cloth and dry it off.
- Don’t use alcohol, acetone, solvents or abrasive sponges.
- After every trip, check the wheels (hair, sand, grit), vacuum the lining and leave the suitcase open to dry.
- Store it somewhere dry, upright, with the zip slightly open – and report any fault that isn’t your doing under the warranty.
Checked: 15 November 2026. Sources at the end of the article.
What should I clean a suitcase shell with?
Polycarbonate and ABS shells need the same thing: gentle washing. Get a bowl of warm water with a little mild soap or washing-up liquid and two soft cloths, ideally microfibre.
- Wipe the shell with a cloth lightly dampened with soapy water. The cloth should be damp, not wet, so water doesn’t get into the lock and zips.
- Remove any soap residue with a clean, damp cloth.
- Dry the suitcase with a soft, dry cloth.
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Warm water with mild soap | Alcohol-based products, including antibacterial wipes used directly on the shell |
| A soft microfibre cloth | Acetone, nail varnish remover, white spirit, solvents |
| Gentle wiping | Products containing ammonia (some glass cleaners) |
| Drying with a soft cloth | Scouring pads, wire wool, cream cleaners |
| 2-in-1 “clean and shine” polishes |
Alcohol, acetone and ammonia can dull or weaken the plastic. If you want to disinfect your suitcase while travelling, wipe only the handles, not the whole shell.
What can I do about scratches and scuffs?
A suitcase that travels will pick up marks. Baggage belts, trolleys and overhead lockers all leave their trace. Fine scratches and scuffs are normal wear and don’t affect the strength of the shell.
- Rubber marks and black streaks: these often come off with soapy water. If not, try gently with a pencil eraser or a melamine sponge, testing on an inconspicuous spot first. Rub lightly, without pressure – especially on a glossy finish.
- Light scratches: don’t sand them or polish them with an abrasive paste. You’ll remove the scratch but leave a dull patch that’s more visible than the scratch itself.
- Deep cracks or dents: this is no longer cosmetic. Take photos and check whether you can use the warranty or claim from the airline (see below).
How do I look after the wheels?
Wheels pick up everything on the way: hair, threads, sand, grit. Once something wraps around the axle, the wheel starts to stick, gets noisy and wears faster.
- After every trip, turn the suitcase over and look at the wheels. Pull out wrapped hair and threads with tweezers or snip them with nail scissors.
- Wipe the wheels with a damp cloth, and blow or brush sand out of the bearings with a dry brush.
- Don’t drag the suitcase on two wheels over cobbles and kerbs when you can push it on four. That’s what double 360° spinner wheels are for.
- After a flight, check the wheels turn freely. With checked luggage, this is the moment to spot damage while you’re still at the airport.
How do I look after the handle and zips?
- Telescopic handle: extend and retract it fully, without yanking. Don’t lift a full suitcase by it – that’s what the side and top handles are for. Wipe it with a damp cloth, as it’s the part you touch most.
- Zips: don’t force the suitcase shut. If the zip is stiff, there’s too much inside. An overstuffed suitcase strains the zips and seams, and damage from overloading isn’t covered by the warranty.
- Combination lock: wipe it with a dry cloth and keep water out of it. We explain how to set your own code in a separate article.
How do I clean the inside of a suitcase?
- Empty everything, including the small pockets. Check the corners around the handle frame.
- Vacuum the lining with a crevice tool, or shake out crumbs and sand.
- Dab stains with a cloth, water and mild soap. Don’t rub too hard, or the lining may lose colour.
- For unpleasant smells, wipe the inside with a solution of vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 5 parts water) and air it thoroughly.
- Leave the suitcase open until it’s completely dry. A damp lining shut away in a cupboard is a fast track to mould.
Pack toiletries and liquids in a leak-proof wash bag. One burst bottle of shampoo can do more damage to a lining than a year of travel.
How should I store a suitcase between trips?
- Somewhere dry and cool: a wardrobe, under the bed, a cupboard on the landing. Avoid damp cellars, lofts with condensation and garages.
- Upright, with nothing heavy on top.
- With the zip slightly open, so the inside can breathe.
- In a cover or bag if it’s stored somewhere dusty.
- If you have a luggage set, you can nest the smaller suitcase inside the larger one. It saves space – just make sure both are dry.
When should I use the warranty?
The manufacturer’s warranty covers material and manufacturing defects that appear during normal use. As standard it lasts 2 years. Suitcases from the E3 PRO line, and E and E+ suitcases bought from 1 May 2026, have a 7-year warranty. Wheels – and on E and E+ models, the power bank and fingerprint lock electronics – are covered for 2 years. Zips and sliders are not covered by the 7-year warranty.
The warranty doesn’t cover normal wear and tear – scratches, scuffs and discolouration – or damage from overpacking. Nor does it cover damage caused by an airline. If your suitcase comes off the belt cracked or missing a wheel, report it straight away, while you’re still at the airport, at the airline’s baggage desk and ask for a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Without it, getting compensation from the airline is much harder.
You can report a defect using our complaint form. Have your order number, a description and photos of the damage ready. Full terms are on the Warranty page.
Sources
Checked 15 November 2026.
- Eternitive: Warranty (scope, exclusions, airline damage, PIR), FAQ – how to clean your suitcase
- Samsonite: Product care (UK), Care & cleaning (AU)
- Briggs & Riley: How to clean your luggage
- Chemical resistance of polycarbonate: CP Lab Safety chart, Covestro: Makrolon – the chemical resistance
Important: this article is for general information only and reflects the situation on the date it was checked (shown above). Airline, airport and government rules can change at any time. Before you travel, always check the latest information directly with your airline, the airport or the official source. This article is not legal advice, and Eternitive is not responsible for decisions made solely on the basis of it.
