You might spend days thinking about what to pack for an upcoming trip. However, you might not have thought about how to store your luggage once you reach your destination or return home. This task might seem relatively straightforward. However, few people realize that storing their luggage improperly can shorten its lifespan.
To make this process easier, we have compiled a few handy tips to ensure you store your luggage in the best possible manner.
1. Clean Your Luggage
If you have used a particular luggage piece multiple times in the last year, chances are that it requires cleaning. However, it can be difficult to tell if a large luggage suitcase has gotten dirty after a flight. This is because many luggage pieces take on a certain “odor” after spending many hours in a cargo hold and being exposed to frigid temperatures in the air.
You might notice this distinct ozone-like smell as soon as you unzip your suitcase and start removing items from it. This odor might give you the impression your suitcase is clean and sanitary, but other odors will start setting in once you have placed your suitcase back in storage.
For this reason, you should try cleaning your suitcase after every couple of flights. This entails using a vacuum cleaner to remove any small particles that may have settled into the corners, pockets, or even your packing cubes.
You can give your suitcase a more thorough wash every six months by removing any removable liners from the inside. You can also wash your packing cubes at this time. Depending on the instructions given on the manufacturer’s tag, you may be able to throw these in the washing machine. In other cases you may be required to wash these by hand in a sink with the help of a mild laundry detergent.
It is also possible to spot-clean different parts of the suitcase’s interior using a bit of baking soda and a toothbrush. You can also scrub the suitcase’s exterior using a sponge after removing the luggage tag. If your suitcase’s wheels have accumulated dirt, you can clean them out using a toothbrush.
Once your suitcase has been cleaned thoroughly, you should leave it in a sunny spot for a day to dry completely. You can then put the luggage tag back on and place it in storage.
2. Pick the Right Storage Location
Depending on the size of your home and living arrangement, you may opt to stuff your suitcase in just about any empty space you find. We won’t judge you for doing this. However, some spaces may be more optimal than others.
Find a Spot That’s Out of the Way
It’s better to store your suitcase somewhere out of the way such as under your bed rather than out in the open. This is because it’s more likely to take up room space if left out.
In addition to this, leaving your suitcase lying about can be dangerous. No one wants to stub their toe against a hard shell suitcase’s corner while walking to the bathroom at 2am, so find a neat spot to tuck it into where it won’t get in your way.
Don’t Keep It in Frequently Used Spaces
It can be tempting to roll your suitcase into your closet and forget about it the second you’re done unpacking. However, this approach also comes with some drawbacks. The first is that the suitcase will take up precious storage space in your closet. This can be especially troublesome if you own a large luggage piece.
Secondly your suitcase will take on odors from the confined spaces where you have kept them. So if you have a habit of stuffing used clothes back in your closet, keeping your suitcase there might cause it to absorb some of the odors from your worn clothing.
Avoid Storing It In Damp or Sunny Places
You might be tempted to store your suitcase in a partially open area such as a shed or a garage. We don’t recommend doing this as it exposes your luggage to different weather elements. For example, your suitcase might get wet and develop mold if left in a shed with a leaky roof during the rainy season.
Similarly, your suitcase could get wet if you store it in the laundry room with a leaky washing machine.
On the opposite end of things, your suitcase’s exterior might get warped if you leave it in a room where it is exposed to direct sunlight. This is especially problematic for high-end luggage with leather exterior surfaces. So try finding a dry and cool spot to keep your large luggage pieces in between your travels.
3. Prepare the Suitcase For Long Storage
You should also ensure your suitcase is prepared for long-term storage. It’s wise to do this even if you expect to use your suitcase again in the next few months in case your travel plans change.
We recommend placing a couple of dryer sheets in the suitcase’s interior portion and then zipping it up properly. This will help trap any odors and keep your suitcase interior smelling fresh. You can also remove your luggage tag and store it somewhere safe if you are concerned about leaving it on the suitcase.
Zipping up your suitcase properly is also vital to ensure that dust and insects don’t get inside. After all, few things are worse than taking your suitcase out of storage and finding dead moths between your packing cubes.
4. Use Your Storage Space Optimally
Most modern suitcases, such as the ones we offer at Royce and Rocket, can handle a fair amount of stress and strain. This means you shouldn’t be afraid to stack empty suitcases in your storage space.
This might actually be necessary if you don’t have a lot of room to spare. So whip out those Tetris skills and find the right arrangement to minimize your space usage in your storage area. You might be surprised to learn just how many suitcases you can fit into a small corner.
Store Your Luggage the Right Way
Storing your luggage properly is vital if you would like it to last for many years. The tips provided above should be useful to anyone who wants to keep their luggage in tip-top shape between their travels.
If you’re looking for stylish luggage offerings with unique functionality, please check out the suitcases from Royce and Rocket,. Our luggage with shelves is especially popular with travel-holics that would like to stay organized on-the-go.
We also offer suitcases in a range of different colors and styles, so consider checking out our collection and seeing what new travel companions you can take with you on your next adventure.
