The big vacation is coming up, and you have all your clothes ready to go. You pull out your luggage and notice a strong mildew smell and see mildew on the lining inside the luggage. You panic--you don't want to or can't buy any new luggage. Don't worry. Killing and removing mildew in your luggage is a cleaning project that requires a simple cleaning mixture and time for the luggage to dry and air out.
Place the luggage outside on a flat, clean surface and open it to expose the lining.
Brush off any loose mildew using a brush or scrubbing pad.
Mix a cleaning solution of 1 cup warm water and 1 cup denatured alcohol in a bucket. Agitate the mixture by shaking the bucket gently. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Put a clean cloth into the solution, and let it stand for about a minute. Remove the cloth and wring it to remove excess solution.
Apply the cloth to the lining, slowly wiping to remove the mildew. If a lot of mildew is present, work in sections.
Dip the cloth into the cleaning solution again, and then wipe the lining to remove any remaining fragments of mildew.
Let the luggage dry for at least two hours, or place the luggage in an area where a fan is present to speed up the drying process.
Use an unscented antimicrobial spray (such as Lysol) on the lining in your luggage once it is dry.
Tip
Store your luggage in a dry room, and use a dehumidifier or fan if your home has a lot of humidity.