I’ve always considered myself a fairly clean traveler. I carry hand sanitizer, wipe down airplane trays, and avoid putting my bags on hotel beds. But after stumbling across a study by a microbiologist, I realized I’d been overlooking something big, something I use on every single trip without a second thought.
That changed when I read a study by microbiologist Amy-May Pointer, which revealed something pretty horrifying:
Your luggage wheels are almost 58 times dirtier than a public toilet seat.
I mean what?! That’s the kind of fact you can’t un-know. And yes, I did scrub mine immediately afterward.
Let’s talk about why suitcase wheels are so filthy, what kind of bacteria they carry, and what I do now before and after every trip to keep them clean.
Why Suitcase Wheels Are So Dirty (And What They Pick Up)
I used to think the dirtiest part of my luggage was the handle until I learned what’s actually happening under the wheels. According to microbiologist Amy-May Pointer’s study, suitcase wheels are exposed to more bacteria than some of the grimiest places we avoid touching with our hands.
Think about it for a second:
- Public restrooms: You roll your suitcase through tiled airport bathrooms, sometimes unknowingly brushing through wet floors near sinks or stalls. These are breeding grounds for E. coli, staphylococcus, and other bacteria we usually associate with bodily fluids and unclean surfaces.
- City sidewalks: These might seem “cleaner” than restrooms, but they’re often covered in oil drips from cars, chewing gum residue, animal waste, and even pigeon droppings. All of that ends up on your wheels especially if you’re navigating cobbled streets or rainy sidewalks in Europe.
- Train and airport floors: Whether you’re waiting in a crowded terminal or dragging your bag through a packed train aisle, these floors get thousands of footfalls a day and rarely get disinfected. Add in spilled coffee, sticky soda puddles, and whatever germs the last hundred passengers tracked in, and it’s a bacteria buffet.
- Luggage trolleys: They seem helpful, but they’re rarely cleaned between uses. They’ve likely touched hundreds of bags, many of which rolled through bathrooms or outdoor grime. And guess where your bag goes? Right back onto your hotel bed or couch after the trip.
Pointer’s study didn’t just find dirt it found active colonies of bacteria and mold on the wheels. Among the culprits were:
- Black mold: Can grow in damp or dark luggage storage areas and potentially cause respiratory irritation.
- Staphylococcus (Staph): Can lead to skin infections or worse if it enters cuts or wounds.
- E. coli: Often associated with fecal matter and dangerous if ingested.
- Pseudomonas: Found in soil and water, but also linked to infections especially in hospitals.
And if that wasn’t enough, the underside of the suitcase especially fabric ones can absorb moisture and trap particles that build up over time. If you’ve ever leaned your bag against a bathroom wall or sat it on the ground while waiting for a cab, it’s probably picked up more than you think.
Pointer also noted that airport luggage trolleys, often seen as harmless helpers, carried even more grime than the suitcases themselves. That’s because they circulate constantly without being sanitized, and everyone’s dirty wheels ride on them.
How I Clean My Suitcase After Every Trip (It Only Takes 5 Minutes)
Once I realized how much grime and bacteria my suitcase was picking up on every trip, I knew I had to make cleaning it part of my post-travel routine just like unpacking or doing laundry.
Now, as soon as I get home, I give my luggage a quick but thorough clean. It’s fast, easy, and makes me feel way better about rolling it through the house or storing it in my closet.
Here’s exactly what I do.
Step-by-Step: My Suitcase Cleaning Routine
1. Set Up a Cleaning Zone
I usually do this in the entryway, garage, or balcony. I lay down an old towel or large trash bag to protect the floor and catch any drips.
2. Wipe Down the Wheels
This is the dirtiest part, so I tackle it first. I use disinfecting wipes or a cloth with soapy water (a few drops of dish soap in warm water works great).
- Roll the suitcase slowly while wiping to reach all sides of the wheels.
- Use a toothbrush or small scrub brush to clean inside the treads especially if you’ve rolled through sand, mud, or gravel.
Zee Tip: For stubborn grime, add a splash of white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to the water for extra bacteria-killing power.
3. Clean the Underside & Corners
Flip your suitcase slightly (resting on its side or upright) to access the bottom panel. This area usually collects dirt, airport dust, or bathroom-floor residue.
- Wipe down the corners, seams, and any rubber or fabric base with disinfectant or warm soapy water.
- Dry everything immediately with a clean cloth to prevent moisture damage or mildew.
4. Sanitize the Handle & Zippers
These are high-touch areas you probably grab dozens of times a day. I sanitize:
- The top handle
- The telescoping handle
- All external zippers
For fabric zippers, a quick spray with a travel-safe disinfectant mist works well (I use one made with tea tree and lavender oils).
5. Let It Air Dry Before Storing
I let the suitcase air-dry fully open for at least 30 minutes. This helps avoid trapped moisture and odors especially in humid climates or if your luggage got wet during the trip.
Optional: Travel Day Quick-Clean Kit
If I’m on a longer trip or staying in multiple hotels, I bring a tiny cleaning kit in a zip pouch. It includes:
- 2–3 wipes in a ziplock bag
- A small microfiber cloth
- TSA-safe disinfectant spray
- A disposable glove (just in case a handle feels sketchy)
I use it to clean the suitcase after it’s been on a luggage rack, airport trolley, or questionable hotel carpet.
Pro Tips for Germ-Free Travel
- Pack a zip-top bag with extra disinfecting wipes for travel days.
- If your luggage sits on the bed or sofa, place a towel underneath.
- In wet or muddy areas, carry the suitcase or use a protective cover.
- Spray a light disinfectant mist on fabric luggage (I use one with essential oils).
- Consider a suitcase with detachable wheels if you’re shopping for a new one.
Travel Items I Now Clean More Often (And You Probably Should Too)
Once I started paying attention to how dirty my suitcase wheels were, I realized they weren’t the only sneaky germ magnets in my travel routine. There were a bunch of other items I was handling daily without ever thinking to clean them.
Now, I make it a habit to do a quick clean of these essentials either mid-trip, right after arriving at a hotel, or when I get home. It helps keep me healthy, my gear in good shape, and my travel hygiene routine just a little more on point.
1. Passport Holder & Travel Wallet
I used to toss my passport into my bag and call it a day. But think about all the security bins, check-in counters, and grubby customs desks it passes through.
What I do now:
Wipe the outside with a disinfectant wipe, and spray a bit of fabric-safe mist inside the pockets. I also leave it open to air out after each trip.
Tip: Leather passport holders should be cleaned with a damp cloth and conditioned occasionally, not soaked.
2. Phone Charger, Cables & Power Bank
These go everywhere with me hotel nightstands, airplane trays, airport floors. I used to overlook them completely, but they easily collect dust and bacteria from surfaces and your hands.
What I do now:
- Wipe down charging cables and power bank surfaces with a tech-safe alcohol wipe.
- Clean USB ports with a dry cotton swab if dust builds up.
- Store them in a dedicated zip pouch (not loose in my backpack anymore!).
3. Neck Pillow or Travel Blanket
If you’ve ever dropped your neck pillow at the airport gate and then shrugged it off… same. These cozy items are rarely washable on the go, yet they touch your face, neck, and clothing for hours.
What I do now:
- Choose neck pillows with removable, washable covers.
- Spray travel blankets or non-washable pillows with a fabric disinfectant or steam-clean when I get home.
- Pack them in a cloth tote or zip bag when not in use.
Bonus: If you use a silk or satin pillowcase for skin/hair reasons, clean it as soon as you get home from a trip.
4. Backpack & Tote Bag Bottoms
Just like your suitcase, your backpack or day bag touches everything the floor of the train, café chairs, public bathrooms. And yet we carry it around like it’s clean.
What I do now:
- Wipe the bottom with a damp cloth and mild soap every few days.
- For fabric bags, I hand-wash or machine wash on gentle (depending on care label).
- I now keep a foldable waterproof tote with a hook so I can hang my bag instead of placing it on the floor.
5. Reusable Shopping Bags & Beach Totes
These are great for sustainability but can get grimy quickly, especially if you use them for groceries, souvenirs, or beach gear.
What I do now:
- Rinse out sand and shake debris after each use.
- Wash cloth bags with my regular laundry.
- Wipe down waterproof bags with an all-purpose spray or disinfectant wipe.
6. Headphones & Earbuds
Whether you’re wearing over-ear headphones on a flight or popping earbuds in during a city walk, these come into close contact with your skin and usually land in some dusty corner of your bag when not in use.
What I do now:
- Clean earbud tips with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
- Wipe the headband and ear pads of over-ear headphones after long flights.
- Store in a clean case when not in use.
7. Pens & Travel Journals
Sounds minor, but I’m always jotting notes, signing customs forms, or writing in a café. The pen touches multiple surfaces, and the journal often lands on counters, beds, or dusty tabletops.
What I do now:
- Wipe pens with alcohol wipes now and then.
- Store them in a zip pouch instead of tossing loose into the bag.
- Clean the cover of my travel notebook with a damp cloth (especially if it’s faux leather or hard plastic).
Small Habits = Big Difference
None of these take long to clean but together, they’ve made a huge difference in how fresh, organized, and healthy I feel while traveling. It’s not about being hyper-paranoid it’s just a few thoughtful habits that add up over time.
Want me to turn this section into a Pinterest pin or checklist graphic next? Or expand the “Pro Tips for Germ-Free Travel” section into a bullet-format + first-person insight list?
It’s wild to think that the dirtiest item I take on a trip isn’t in a public bathroom it’s the thing I roll through every airport, hotel lobby, and cobbled alley in Europe.
Now, cleaning my suitcase wheels is just as essential as packing my passport. It’s a simple change, but one that makes me feel better every time I walk through my front door post-trip.
