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Caring For Your Luggage

Sunday, February 16th

Caring for Your Luggage

As is the case with most possessions, the proper care will ensure both quality and longevity. Much like the clothing that you wear, luggage must be cared for in accordance with its design and material used for its construction.

American Tourister, one of the leading luggage manufacturers in the United States, recommends cleaning hardside luggage using a gentle soap and warm water. After rinsing well, the company recommends that anyone wishing to preserve the luster of their luggage and add resistence to its covering should use a quality silicone-based automobile or furniture polish. "We do not recommend, however, that you try to clean the luggage with a combination cleaner-polish," says American Tourister.

Softside luggage can be spot cleaned using mild soap and water. In addition, you can also use products designed for spot removal on clothing or a cleaner designed for car mats and/or automobile carpets. Remember, it's important to rinse the luggage thoroughly after cleaning.

Storage is also an important part of maintaining the quality of beauty of your luggage. As such, it is recommended that you avoid placing your luggage where it would be susceptible to extreme heat or cold, which may cause aging. "Any American Tourister luggage which is being stored in an attic or basement should be taken out of storage, opened, and permitted to 'air' regularly," according to American Tourister. This action will help to prevent mildew resulting from humidity, which is often present when/if an item is not used frequently.

If you own a luggage set, it may be a good idea to store it in the same manner as you received it. Most sets will come with the smaller pieces packed into the larger ones for convenient handling. Storing your luggage this way will also help to preserve the smaller pieces and will leave only the largest exposed to the outside air. In addition to frequent cleaning and allowing your luggage to air out by frequently removing it from storage and opening it, this method will protect the majority of your set from stains and everyday buildup that may occur if each piece were to be placed in storage separately.

Aside from the aforementioned methods of caring for your luggage, it's important that you remain mindful of your items while traveling. Although a hardside suitcase is strong, it is not invincible. Depending on the mishap, this type of luggage can and will suffer damage though it is the strongest of all luggage. Softside luggage features the ability to expand, which means it is flexible and more likely to suffer tears or rips. Taking special care when handling your luggage will result in many long and happy travels.

The majority of luggage manufacturers, including Samsonite and American Tourister, offer warranties on their luggage. These guarantees are not enforceable in the event of misuse, but are a valuable promise of quality and will be appreciated in the event of a problem relating to the design or workmanship of the luggage. It is important to save all purchase receipts and documentation relating to the purchase of luggage, including warranty information, incase a claim should later need to be filed.

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Luggage Store FAQ

Luggage is used to protect clothing and other items during travel. It is usually made either with a hard shell or a durable soft material. There are often compartments and dividers within a suitcase that allow you to pack everything you need in an organized manner. Most luggage is rectangular in shape and comes in different sizes depending on how many things you're bringing along on your trip.
There are about 6 different sizes of luggage if you want to get really specific. There are personal item-size luggage (about 17” long), international carry-on (about 21” tall), domestic-carry on (about 22” tall), small checked luggage (23-24” tall), medium checked luggage (25-27” tall), and large checked luggage (28-32” tall). These sizes are based on airline regulations since most people use their luggage for flying. Airlines only accept luggage of certain sizes depending on how much you've paid for your ticket and where you're going. People like to have luggage in a few different sizes so they can adapt to however they are traveling.
The best style of luggage to buy is the style you like best! You can find luggage in all colors and patterns. Sometimes it's helpful to have more unique luggage so that it's easy to identify if you're picking it up at baggage claim after a flight and no one else takes it by mistake. Some other things to consider when choosing a style is whether or not you want luggage with wheels, hard or soft material, how many interior compartments, and other small details.
There is no single best material for luggage, so you'll want to decide what type you buy based on what you're transporting. You will have choices like aluminum, polyester, ballistic nylon, leather, polycarbonate, etc. There are pros and cons with different materials. If you're worried about things breaking or being affected by impact, hard-shell luggage will offer the best protection. Soft-sided luggage can expand and be more flexible if you're stuffing it full to the brim and it usually has external pockets. You'll find affordable options for both hard- and soft-sided luggage, so it really comes down to preference.
You can either buy luggage one piece at a time or find a set that comes with two or three pieces. Price will vary based on the size, material, and brand. You can get a medium-sized suitcase ranging from about $50 to $300. However, there are also plenty of retailers that sell luggage sets for under $300, which is a great deal. Once you decide on the style, material, and size of suitcase(s) you're looking for, you can start comparing the prices among different retailers.
Yes! If your luggage is new and unused, almost all retailers offer a return policy. You will likely have anywhere from 30 to 90 days to change your mind about the luggage you purchased and send it back for a full refund. You might have to pay return shipping, so keep that in mind. Sometimes it helps to see your luggage in person: if you decide it isn't the size you imagined or a style you like, you can always switch it out for something else.
Most airlines allow you to have one checked bag and one carry-on bag when flying (unless you pay extra for additional checked bags). It's a good idea to have a carry-on-sized suitcase since you aren't usually charged for these on a flight. The standard size for this is 22” x 14” x 9”, which includes handles and wheels. Checked bags cannot exceed 50 lbs and the most common maximum size is 62 linear (total) inches. Read the baggage policies for the airline you're flying on before you head to the airport!
It's hard to get away with not owning your own luggage since traveling is more popular than ever these days. Even if you aren't going long-distance and needing to get on an airplane, having a nice bag or suitcase to pack your clothes, shoes, and hygiene items for a quick weekend getaway is essential.
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