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Travel gear cleaning guide

If you are keen on visiting places you have never been to or you just choose a random

destination, pack your stuff in a backpack and catch a bus, then, you must be one of those

adventurous people who consider the office environment boring and the well-established

daily routine dreadful. If you love the wilderness and you often go camping, sleep in a tent

and the lack the conveniences the hotels offer do not bother you, you should take a good

care of your travel gear and keep it clean and germ-free.

If you use different travel gears for your summer and winter trips, cleaning and “tidying up”

will be an easier and less time-consuming process, but you need to make sure you take

care of the clean-up in advance rather than performing it the night before you go on a trip.

Let’s start with the most popular travel items – laptop and camera bags, toiletry cases and

others – that require a thorough cleaning and disinfecting. Although they are frequently

neglected, they should be cleaned at least once per season. However, keeping their

decent condition does not mean wiping down the exterior and the plastic parts with an anti-

bacterial wet wipe.

Here are the must-do cleaning activities you should perform in order to make your stuff

ready for the next trip:

1. Backpack

 Machine wash

1. First, make sure the bag is empty – check pockets, seams, corners for items.

Remove metal frames and straps, if possible.

2. Make sure there is enough space in the washing machine for the bag to move

3. Put your travel bag in a special laundry case or a pillow case, to stop the straps

from moving and possibly doing some damage

4. Run the washing machine empty to clean it of any residue detergents because

travel bags should not be cleaned with harsh laundry detergents or softeners

5. Do not use a harsh detergent, use a mild detergent so that it does not damage your

travel bag and run it in a cycle with cold water

6. Let the back to air dry and ensure that it is completely dry putting it away

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 Hand wash

If your travel bag is too big for your washing machine you can hand wash it in your bathtub

or a wash basin, or if it is a small bag that should not be machine washed, wash it in your

sink.

1. Again – empty pockets, corners and seems and remove metal frames and straps

2. Fill bathtub, a wash tub or your sink (if the bag is small), with warm and not hot

water because it might damage the colours

3. Use soft detergent and add it to the water or the bag and use a soft old toothbrush

to scrub the backpack

4. Take out the bag and leave it to air dry and make sure it has dried completely

before putting it away

2. Laptop bags, camera bags, toiletry cases, etc

 You have to apply suitable detergents and refreshing agents. Be careful with the

chemicals most cleaning agents contain. If you have some more time, prepare

yourself an eco-friendly cleaning solution or simply use a solution of dishwashing

liquid dissolved in lukewarm water. You can substitute the dishwashing liquid with a

cup of white vinegar as well.

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3. Bottles

 If you have a bunch of small travel-size that allow a refill, you should also take care

of them and dispose any shampoo, conditioners and hand soaps. Empty the bottles

and refill them with fresh cosmetic liquids. If you consider it appropriate, you can

toss them in the dishwasher just to make sure they are well sanitised.

4. Accessories

 If you have been keeping your accessories in the basement or any other humid

place, this could lead to them growing mould. The best way to get rid of the

unpleasant black spots is to treat the piece of fabrics with bleach. If you fear it can

cause discolouration, use a solution of vinegar and water.

An important element of the travel gear clean-up is the removal of any compartments and

items from the pockets. When your travel gear is clean and you want to preserve its

freshness till the next time you need it, place a dryer sheet inside the bag. You can also

soak a cotton ball of your preferred essential oil and place it in the bag as well.

In case you have to deal with a tough stain and the natural remedies turn ineffective,

MainCleaners Balham says you have no choice, but to opt for a commercial degreaser or

a multi purpose cleaner. However, it is important to try to identify the stain first and apply a

different approach for a grass and a ink stain, respectively.

These were the travel gear cleaning basics you should follow if you want to prolong the

lifespan of your bag and accessories and keep them well-sanitised regardless of the place

you are heading to. It goes without saying that cleaning your travel gear before and after

every trip is recommended. This way, you will prevent the spread of bacteria, eliminate bad

smells and ensure the highest level of hygiene.

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