If you’re wondering how to clean a trolley bag without washing it, you’ve come to the right place. A trolley bag is a useful accessory, but it can also become dirty over time. In this guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions to help you get your trolley bag clean without needing a wash.
Things You’ll Need: How to Clean a Trolley Bag Without Washing
- A soft-bristle brush
- Mild detergent or soap
- Clean cloth or sponge
- Water
- Disinfectant spray
- Vacuum cleaner
- Baby wipes
How to Clean a Trolley Bag Without Washing Step by Step
Follow the steps below to clean a trolley bag without washing…
Step 1: Empty the Bag
Before you embark on the journey of cleaning your trolley bag, it’s essential that you empty it completely. This doesn’t just mean taking out your clothing, travel items, or whatever else you typically carry.
Make sure you also check all the little hidden compartments and pockets, because it’s easy to forget small items like pens, coins, or travel-sized toiletries.
How to Properly Empty the Bag
Unzip All Compartments and Pockets: Start by unzipping every single compartment and pocket on your trolley bag. Some bags have hidden or less obvious compartments, so make sure you open those as well.
Inspect the Bag: Look inside each section to make sure you haven’t missed anything. Sometimes smaller items can get tucked into corners.
Turn It Upside Down: Hold the bag over a table or another flat surface and turn it upside down to shake out any loose items or debris. This ensures that small, easily missed items fall out.
Use a Stick or Your Hand: For stubborn or stuck items, you can gently use your hand or a long stick to dislodge them from the bag’s compartments.
By taking these steps, you’ll prepare a blank slate that’s easier to clean thoroughly. It also gives you the opportunity to sort through your belongings, so you might find items you thought were lost!
Step 2: Vacuum the Inside
Once your trolley bag is empty, the next step is to vacuum the inside. You may think the bag is relatively clean, but you’d be surprised how much dust, lint, and even tiny food crumbs can accumulate in the bottom and corners.
Vacuuming is essential to remove these particles, which not only make your bag dirty but can also attract pests.
Method for Vacuuming
Prepare Your Vacuum: Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. The hose allows for better reach and maneuverability inside the bag. If your vacuum has variable settings, you may want to use a gentler suction setting to avoid damaging the bag’s interior lining.
Open All Compartments: Just as when you emptied the bag, open all the compartments and pockets for thorough cleaning.
Begin Vacuuming: Attach the hose to the vacuum cleaner, turn the vacuum on, and carefully run the hose along the interior surfaces of the bag. Start with broad sweeps and then focus on specific areas.
Focus on Corners and Seams: Pay extra attention to corners, seams, and any other nooks and crannies. These areas tend to accumulate more dirt and debris, so they might need a few extra passes with the vacuum.
Repeat if Necessary: If you notice that some areas are not as clean as you’d like, feel free to give those sections another pass with the vacuum.
Step 3: Dry Brush the Exterior
After emptying and vacuuming your trolley bag, you might notice that the exterior still looks a bit dingy. Dust, dirt, and grime can cling to the outside of your bag, especially if it has a textured surface.
Dry brushing is an effective way to remove this loose dirt without getting your bag wet. It serves as a pre-cleaning step that prepares the bag for more detailed spot cleaning later on.
The Right Tool: Soft-Bristle Brush
To effectively dry brush your bag, you’ll need a soft-bristle brush. The bristles should be firm enough to dislodge dirt but soft enough to not damage the material of your bag. Brushes that you might use for suede shoes or delicate fabrics are usually a good choice.
How to Dry Brush Your Trolley Bag
Hold the Bag Steady: Place your bag on a stable surface. Holding the bag steady with one hand can help you brush more effectively.
Start Brushing: With your soft-bristle brush in hand, gently start to scrub the surface of your bag. Use quick, light strokes.
Direction Matters: Try to brush in the same direction to avoid spreading the dirt around.
Focus Areas for Dry Brushing
Corners and Seams: These areas often collect the most dirt. Use the tip of the brush to get into these tight spots.
Bottom of the Bag: This is often the dirtiest part, so give it some extra attention.
Zippers and Handles: Though these areas might require a different cleaning method later on, a quick brush can remove surface dirt.
Read more bag cleaning topics here – How to Clean Bags: Your Comprehensive Guide for Spotless Bags
Step 4: Spot Cleaning
Your bag is likely to have some stubborn stains or spots that dry brushing and vacuuming won’t remove. These could be from food, liquids, or mud. Spot cleaning allows you to focus on these problem areas without having to soak your entire bag.
Choose Your Cleaning Solution Wisely
For this task, a mild detergent mixed with water usually does the trick. Strong cleaning agents can damage the material of your bag or cause colors to fade. Test your cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area before applying it to visible parts of the bag.
How to Properly Spot Clean
Prepare Your Cleaning Cloth or Sponge: Dampen a cloth or sponge in your detergent solution. Wring it out well so it’s not dripping wet.
Apply to the Stained Area: Gently press the damp cloth against the stained or dirty area to apply the detergent solution.
Scrub in a Circular Motion: Use small, circular motions to scrub the stain. This method is generally more effective than back-and-forth scrubbing.
Don’t Overdo It: It might be tempting to scrub vigorously, but this can damage the fabric and spread the stain. Likewise, don’t oversaturate the area. Less is often more when it comes to spot cleaning.
Step 5: Wipe and Disinfect
After spot cleaning and brushing your trolley bag, the next step in the cleaning process is wiping and disinfecting high-touch areas.
These are the places that your hands or other objects frequently come into contact with, like handles, wheels, and zippers. These areas can be hotspots for germs, so it’s crucial to not just clean them, but to disinfect them as well.
What to Use: Baby Wipes or Disinfecting Wipes
Baby wipes or disinfecting wipes are your best friends for this task. They’re gentle enough to not damage the material but effective enough to clean and disinfect the surface.
Method for Wiping and Disinfecting
Start with Handles: These are perhaps the most frequently touched parts of your trolley bag. Firmly grasp a wipe and go over the handles, paying close attention to any ridges or textured areas where germs could hide.
Move to Wheels: Turn your bag on its side to access the wheels more easily. Wipe them down thoroughly, making sure to get into any crevices or between wheel spokes if your bag has them.
Don’t Forget Zippers: The zipper pulls are also touched frequently but often forgotten during the cleaning process. Run a wipe along each zipper pull, ensuring all sides are covered.
Apply Disinfectant Spray: After wiping, grab a can of disinfectant spray. Hold it about 6 inches from the surface and lightly mist the handles, wheels, and zippers. This adds an extra layer of germ-killing power.
Step 6: Air Dry
Water and moisture are the enemies of durability when it comes to luggage. Once you’ve cleaned your trolley bag, it’s crucial to let it fully air dry to prevent any mildew or mold from forming, and to make sure all cleaning products have evaporated.
Tips for Effective Air Drying
Open Up: Make sure all pockets and compartments are unzipped or opened. This allows for better airflow, ensuring that every nook and cranny dries properly.
Choose the Right Spot: Place your bag in a well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight as it can fade the color of your bag. An indoor spot with good airflow is ideal.
Utilize a Fan: If you need to expedite the drying process, you can use a fan. Place it in such a way that the air circulates around and through the bag.
Rotate the Bag: Every couple of hours, rotate your bag to make sure all sides get adequately exposed to the air for even drying.
Conclusion: How to Clean a Trolley Bag Without Washing
In conclusion, cleaning a trolley bag without washing it is not only practical but also extends the lifespan of your bag. By following this step-by-step guide, you can effectively remove dirt, stains, and odors without subjecting your trolley bag to the rigors of a full wash.
Remember, regular maintenance is key to keeping your trolley bag in optimal condition for years to come. Happy cleaning!