Cleaning and Caring for Your Chatelet Air 2.0 Suitcase

The iconic Chatelet Air 2.0 collection is what traveling in style looks like. Chic, sophisticated, and masterfully crafted, this is our most beloved collection.

It’s also our most asked about.

Unless you never bring your luggage when you travel, it’s bound to get a little dirty. Here are some cleaning and care tips that will help you keep your luggage clean and pristine from top to bottom and inside out!

How to Clean Your Chatelet Air 2.0 Suitcase?

What’s the Best Way to Clean the Hard Suitcase Exterior?

One of the benefits of owning hard-shell luggage is that it can be easier to clean than soft-sided luggage. If you see a fresh new blemish or smudge, wipe it away as soon as you can. A little soap and water on a cloth or sponge should be good enough for most small specks and spills, but if that doesn’t work, a solution of vinegar and warm water should do the job.

For more stubborn stains, mix equal parts baking soda and dish soap with a few drops of water until it forms a thick, pudding-like paste. Gently scrub with a soft bristled toothbrush and then rinse.

Avoid harsh solvents and cleaners, such as bleach, ammonia, or acetone, as they can discolor, damage, or even destroy the exterior. Likewise, scrapers, razorblades, steel wool, and other sharp or abrasive tools shouldn’t be used, as they can leave permanent scratches or otherwise damage the shell.  

The iconic trim on the Chatelet Air 2.0 collection is made from vegan leather, which means it can be cleaned in the same fashion as the shell. Unlike the new Chatelet Air 2.0 Leather collection, which features coordinating items crafted from 100% premium leather, specialized cleaners, lotions, and oils aren’t required.

What’s the Best Way to Clean Suitcase Wheels?

On every journey, those wheels are putting in the most work. Getting from point A to point Z, and all the others in-between also means directly touching all of that. Wheels are meant to get dirty, but that doesn’t mean they have to stay that way.  

A small brush should be able to remove any loose gravel or grit. For good measure, a spray of a disinfecting spray can possibly help stop the spread of germs. The same cleaning dos and don’ts used for the shell can also be used on the wheels but make sure to dry any metal parts thoroughly to prevent rust and oxidation.

What’s the Best Way to Clean the Inside of Your Suitcase?

While you may not have much control over the sort of mess made on the outside, you can help prevent it on the inside. While unpacking after a trip, shake out any dirt, sand, or other debris that may have settled inside of the case. A quick once over with a vacuum can pick up any remaining debris.

Spot cleaning with a sponge or small towel dampened with a little soap and water is usually sufficient for most small stains and spots. Fabric spot cleaners and stain removers can be used if soap and water aren’t satisfactory, but avoid cleaners with bleach, and make sure to follow the directions on the product. Then leave the case open to allow it to air dry.

One of the main features of the Chatelet Air 2.0 collection is the odor-resistant lining which helps keep your bag fresh longer. Proper regular care, including cleaning and airing out the suitcase after each trip, should be enough to keep your case smelling fresh and clean.

For lingering odors, add a 1:1 vinegar and water mixture to a spray bottle and spray the inside. Leave the case open while the mixture dries and evaporates, hopefully taking any offensive odors along with it.

Baking soda is a very effective natural odor absorber. Another method to fight smells is to sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda inside of the case and leave it open to air out for 24-48 hours, depending on how strong of an odor. Make sure to give the inside a thorough vacuuming so you wind up with gritty socks and underwear on your next trip!  

Maintenance Tips

·       Avoid putting wet clothing and other items directly into your suitcase, as that can cause a mildew smell that could spread to the rest of the items inside. If it’s not possible to wait for an item to fully dry before packing, you should place the item in a plastic, or otherwise waterproof bag.

·       Chatelet Air 2.0 carry-ons and check-in suitcases include two soft-touch bonus bags, so you can keep your clean clothes clean and separate from your dirty laundry and shoes. The bags are machine washable. Avoid bleach and use a color-safe detergent. Wash cool with like colors and tumble dry low.

·       Luggage is bound to be tossed, dropped, pulled, and otherwise manhandled while traveling, which unfortunately can cause hard to remove scuffs. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser does a great job at removing scuff marks on the shell and other hard surfaces.

 How to Protect Your Chatelet Air 2.0 Suitcase

 

Pack to Protect

The best way to prevent interior spills and stains is to pack with intent. Toiletries, cosmetics, and hair products are some of the most common culprits of leaks and stains; storing them in a separate leak-proof bag or pouch is a must.

The laundry and shoe bags that are included with each suitcase could also be used for this purpose, but please note, they are not waterproof, so leaky bottles could still become an issue. In a pinch, a plastic bag could work, but a more permanent option is ideal especially for frequent travelers. The Chatelet Air 2.0 collection offers matching and coordinating toiletry bags and beauty cases that are perfect for safely packing and carrying any potentially messy necessities.

Another great way to pack to protect is to use packing cubes. Not only do they help keep your items organized and easy to find, but they can help prevent interior damage as well.

 The indigo dye from denim can sometimes bleed or transfer onto other fabric items, especially if brand new or a particularly dark shade. Glitter and sequins can be wonderful embellishments on an outfit, but they can also be a nightmare to clean up completely.

Packing cube sets that coordinate with the Chatelet Air 2.0 collection, are available for purchase on the DELSEY website. They include four different sized cubes to fit all of your needs and safely pack your delicate or fragile articles of clothing and accessories.  

Protect on the Go

Sometimes it’s the destination itself that’s cause for added protection. Going from home, to airport, to hotel in a big bustling city, you may expect a bit of dirt here and there, but probably nothing too extreme. However, an excursion to the Grand Canyon could look a little different.

Dirt, dust, and sand have a way of getting into and onto everything. Every nook and cranny, corner or crevice can be covered in a matter of minutes and take forever to clean. Luggage covers are an easy solution to try and avoid that. They cover the shell of the suitcase, while leaving the wheels and trolley handle free for continued use. Not only can they protect against dirt and grime, but also scratches and scuffs, all without restricting mobility.

Protect at Home

Whether you travel every week or only once in a while, you should be taking care of your luggage when it’s not in use. Many people store their luggage in closets, basements, garages, etc. and don’t give it another thought until it’s time for the next adventure. Taking these preventative steps can ensure that both you and your Chatelet Air 2.0 will be ready to go!

Once again, we’re back to baking soda, the product with a million uses. We discussed how it can be used for cleaning and removing odors, but it can also be used to prevent them. You can place an open box of baking soda inside of your luggage before you store it away. They make spill proof vented boxes so that you won’t have to worry that it might tip over and make a mess inside. There are also pouches, pods, and other sealed containers of baking soda that can be used instead of an entire box.

Activated charcoal is another effective odor absorber that can be added to the inside of luggage that’s not in use. It can also be purchased in premade pouches.

Cedar is another fantastic option to help preserve your luggage. Not only is it an odor and moisture absorber, but it also repels certain pests and insects. If your luggage is being stored in a place that is prone to a lot of moisture and humidity, using cedar would be ideal.

There’s a variety of factors that can determine how long your luggage lasts. You might get 2-5 years of light to moderate use from a budget suitcase, with adequate care. More frequent travelers might get 5-10 years of use from a mid-range suitcase, depending on the type and quality of materials used. At DELSEY, our premium luggage is made of the highest quality materials, innovative design and engineering, constructed to last for years to come.

Trends come and go but the Chatelet Air 2.0 luggage collection is timeless. Utilizing these tips, tricks, and techniques could help extend the life of your Chatelet Air 2.0 by decades and keep it looking great!