'Dirtier than a public toilet': How to clean your suitcase while travelling

When you arrive to your hotel room, do you hoist your suitcase up onto the bed to rummage through it?

If yes, you might want to rethink that strategy. Your suitcase is a breeding ground for bacteria.

Just think of all the places where you've pulled it behind you: city streets, airport toilet stalls, train stations, public buses.

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Yeah. Suitcases are kinda gross, when you think about it.

In fact, they're even dirtier than a public toilet. Insurance company Insure and Go conducted a study that found the wheels of a suitcase have 58 times the bacteria of a communal loo.

Before you throw out your case and dedicate yourself to a life of travelling with only a small backpack, consider giving your bag a good clean instead.

When you're packing your bag before a trip, throw a pack of sanitising wipes in there. That way, when you get to your hotel, you can give the suitcase wheels, handle, and exterior a good clean.

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When you get home, instead of just unpacking and throwing your suitcase into the cupboard until your next trip, get into the habit of giving it a deep clean first.

Start with the exterior: use warm, soapy water and a soft cloth to wash down the whole thing. If you have a soft suitcase, use a little less water, but enough to work up a lather.

The wheels and the handles tend to harbour the most bacteria, so give those an extra scrub.

You'll need to clean the inside too, as our dirty clothes and shoes can bring in dirt and bacteria.

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Start by using a hairdryer or small vacuum to get rid of any debris (like sand or dirt), then use a disinfecting wipe or spray to go over the interior fabric.

Make sure to leave your luggage open until it's completely dry to prevent moisture buildup.

When you're on the road, there are certain precautions you should take to limit the spread of germs from your suitcase.

9Travel expert Sami Lukis also warns to keep your suitcase off your bed - always use the luggage rack in your hotel room. If you need to pack your suitcase on the bed, put an old blanket or towel down first, she suggests.

If there's no luggage rack in your room, consider keeping your suitcase in the bathroom, instead of on the carpet.

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"With the amount of traffic a hotel has, carpets can harbour dirt, dust mites, stains, bacteria, mould and fungi," experts at Southern Living advise, whether you're staying in a five-star resort or a grubby motel.

This tip could also save you in the unlikely event of bedbugs, as the critters like soft surfaces and could crawl across a carpet and into your luggage.