How to Get the Musty Smell Out of Luggage
Your suitcase smells musty or of stale travel grime because it sat in a closet or basement, sometimes stored slightly damp, and absorbed odors while travel dirt built up inside. Clean it out, deodorize the lining, and air it fully, and it freshens.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why luggage goes musty
Luggage often gets stored in a damp basement or attic and picks up mustiness, and the lining absorbs travel smells, spills, and moisture. Zipped shut, it cannot air out.
The smell soaks into the fabric lining and lingers. Cleaning and airing the interior is what clears it.
How to clean it, step by step
- Empty and vacuum it. Remove everything, shake out debris, and vacuum the interior, including the pockets and seams.
- Wipe it down. Clean the lining and shell with a vinegar-and-water solution or mild soapy water, and spot-clean stains.
- Deodorize. Sprinkle baking soda inside, close it for a day or two, then vacuum it out, or leave an open container of baking soda or charcoal inside.
- Air and sun it. Open it fully and air it out, or set it in the sun, which freshens and dries the lining.
- Dry completely and store open. Make sure it is fully dry, then store it somewhere dry with a charcoal packet inside and the lid cracked if you can.
Store it somewhere dry, not the basement floor. Most musty luggage comes from damp storage, so where you keep it between trips matters most.
Keep it from coming back
Store luggage clean and dry rather than in a damp basement, and leave a deodorizer inside between trips.
Air it out before and after each trip so nothing sits damp inside.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the musty suitcase handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your home, Sunday Reset fits well. It is cool and clearing, with peppermint, eucalyptus, and grapefruit, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the musty smell out of a suitcase?
Vacuum and wipe the interior, sprinkle baking soda inside and let it sit, then air it out in the sun. Store it dry with a deodorizer inside.
Why does my luggage smell musty?
It usually spent time stored in a damp basement or attic, sometimes packed away slightly damp, and the lining absorbed the mustiness.
How should I store luggage?
Clean and fully dry, somewhere dry rather than a damp basement, with a charcoal packet or dryer sheet inside and the lid cracked if possible.
How do I keep luggage fresh between trips?
Air it out after each trip, leave a deodorizer inside, and store it dry so moisture and odors do not build up.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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