You can kill the mold spores and remove stains and odors with techniques and supplies safe for the inside and exterior of your suitcases and bags.
Things You Will Need
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Lay an old sheet outside in a sunny location. Place the open luggage on the bed sheet. Allow the sunshine to kill the mold and bleach mold stains as the luggage airs out for two to four hours.
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Vacuum the dead mold spores from the luggage. Use a hose attachment to clean along the seams and other grooves and crevices. Throw out the vacuum bag afterward so mold spores aren't transferred to other surfaces.
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Remove mold stains and odors on fabric or canvas portions of the luggage with a mixture of 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of table salt. Paint the lemon and salt mixture onto the stains and let it dry completely. Brush off the dried mixture to remove the mold stains. Dampen a clean cloth with water and blot the material to remove any stickiness left by the lemon juice.
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Combine 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 cup of water. Dampen a cloth in the mixture and wipe down leather and other materials, such as plastic or metal, to remove the mold stains on these surfaces.
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Dry the surface with a clean, dry cloth. Allow the luggage to air dry completely before using it.
The Drip Cap
- Luggage stored for any length of time in damp, warm conditions develops mold and mildew.
- Combine 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 cup of water.
- Dampen a cloth in the mixture and wipe down leather and other materials, such as plastic or metal, to remove the mold stains on these surfaces.
- Allow the luggage to air dry completely before using it.