If you are a frequent traveller, you might want to pack some essential items that can keep you and your family stay comfortable during your trip such as Blankets, Food, Wipes, Packs of Some Dessicant Dehumidifiers to absorb the moisture from car and luggage and of course some extra clothes. Here are some special tips for you to keep your stuff fresh and clean on the go specially with kids.
Use A Dryer Sheet
Do you own a tumble dryer? If yes, then you know that the dryer comes with sheets that smell good. These are called dryer sheets or fabric softener sheets. You can easily pop the softener sheet from the dryer and place it on your luggage to conceal foul odour and give your bags a pleasant scent.
Dryer sheets are made of lubricants, softeners, and fragrances that make the fabric comprising your luggage box smell of freshly done laundry. When your luggage is exposed to heat, the aromas are released into the surrounding air. Remember that you can also use the dryer sheets in serviced apartments or motels to make the bedding and your indoor air smell fresh.
Spray Deodorant
Deodorants are commonly used to conceal or remove unpleasant body odour to make you smell good. But their use is not limited to your body; you can also give your luggage box and its contents a couple of deodorant sprays to keep them smelling fresh. However, you don’t want to overdo this lest you end up smelling like a medicine cabinet; use the deodorant sparingly.
It would help if you also avoided deodorants that leave white or coloured marks on your bag and clothes. Another essential factor to consider is the type of deodorant. Only use what you find pleasing to avoid being uncomfortable.
Utilise Natural Deodorants
If you’re not on a tight schedule, take some time off your timetable to make natural deodorants, which are way cheaper and work the same magic as your conventional sprays. For instance, you may spray baking powder into your traveling bag and let it sit there for at least 12 hours. The baking soda will absorb the unpleasant odour and make your luggage bag smell nice. Ensure to vacuum the powder or wipe it off with a wet sponge to prevent it from spreading all over your belongings.
Another natural deodorant is a solution of vinegar. Simply mix one-part vinegar with two parts of water. Pour the solution into a bottle and spray your luggage to give them a pleasant fragrance.
Use Vodka
You may know that vodka, or any other happy hour drink for that matter, works wonders for your self-confidence, particularly when you’re in a public space. True to this statement, vodka can also give you much-needed confidence when traveling by extracting the stinking smell from your luggage.
Fill a spray bottle with vodka (you can mix it with water) and sprinkle generously on the contents of your luggage, focusing more on the smelly culprits. The alcoholic solution will help rid your luggage box of the bad smell and kill bacteria that potentially cause unpleasant odours.
Use Plastic Bags to Separate Your Belongings
You may not always have enough time to clean everything before traveling. This implies that you may be forced to pick something a little unclean, and this may cause a foul smell. As such, be sure to segregate dirty items from the cleanest of your stuff.
A big zip-lock plastic bag will serve you well here. However, if you don’t have access to this, simply go for any airtight bag comprising plastic. Socks and shoes, whether clean or not, should also be kept in airtight plastic bags. Otherwise, you may attract other people’s attention with your stinking odour of dirty laundry or smelly feet.
Keep your Luggage Box Dry
It’s not unusual to detect a musty odour in your luggage bag, especially if you’re carrying items that are not exactly dry. In such instances, pack a desiccant dehumidifier with your belongings to extract any moisture traces from the box and your wet belongings to keep your luggage fresh.
Once you arrive at your destination or stop somewhere to rest, empty the box but leave the dehumidifier to remove the remaining dampness, if any. The advantage of using this type of dehumidifier on the go is that desiccants are reusable, and you don’t need to use electrical energy to recharge them.
Employ the Soap-in-Sock Technique
Have you ever heard of the soap-in-sock trick? Toilet soap, the one you use to bathe, or any other scented detergent, works magic when you put it in a sock and pack it with your belongings. It would be best if you used an old but clean sock for this trick.
If you’re in the middle of your journey or stopped by a hotel or serviced apartment for rest, use one of your socks. The sock should be thick enough not to stain the luggage contents. On a lighter note, not to appear like you steal little things from where you’re staying, inform the management or any concerned party that you’re taking away the bar of soap. Take care not to use a strong-smelling soap because it may cause more harm than good.
Consider Airing Out the Luggage
If you’re in the middle of your trip and it’s been long since you last opened your luggage, empty the bags and air-dry all your fabric belongings. Maybe there’s that one smelly pair of socks or any other stinking clothing that has been threatening to embarrass you. Hang the clothes and towels in the sun or in a steamy bathroom to get rid of the foul smell.
Maximise this opportunity by washing dirty clothes and wiping the inside of your bags. You can also unzip the bags and keep them open for the rest of your journey, especially if you’re not carrying personal documents or valuable items. Opening up the luggage facilitates optimal air circulation and keeps foul odours away.
Bring Laundry Bags
Laundry bags make your trip stress-free and organised. Additionally, they help keep your luggage smelling fresh throughout the journey. Pack all the wet fabrics in the reusable laundry bags to keep the filthy smell at bay.
Wrap Up
Keeping your luggage smelling fresh and clean while on the road is easier than you think. If there’s something in your travel box that’s making everything else smell a little less than fresh, you can benefit significantly from the above tips. From using scented soap, airing your luggage, to spraying deodorant on your fabrics, there is more than one secret to a fresher-smelling luggage box.