The materials currently used for manufacturing luggage generally require very little maintenance. Here are a few tips to help you get the best long-term use out of your bags and suitcases while ensuring they continue to look smart for all that time. To clean your hard side suitcases (polycarbonate, ABS or polypropylene), warm water and soap or detergent applied with a soft cloth or sponge are sufficient. Afterwards, rinse them thoroughly before allowing them to dry to avoid any marks. As for your soft side luggage (in polyamide, polyester or ballistic nylon), clean it with gentle or natural soap diluted in water using a soft brush. After rinsing, a hairdryer set to a low temperature can speed up the drying process. Marks or traces of label glue can be removed by using Eau Ecarlate (stain remover), which also works well on hard side materials. Regularly check that nothing prevents the wheels on your luggage from running freely. In particular, remove any gravel from them which can accelerate wear and scratching. To clean soft side luggage, we recommend spot cleaning with a mild soap (i.e. dish soap) and water. Also, we recommend placing charcoal in the bag for a day or more (depending on the strength of the odor) and close the bag. The charcoal will absorb the smell. Extremes of temperature, as well as the extremes of humidity will tend to age luggage. Any travel luggage which is being stored in an attic or basement should be taken out of storage, opened, and permitted to "air" regularly. This will help to prevent mildew from forming as a result of humidity. It also assists in maintaining the normal resiliency of the case itself.
