Care For Your Briggs & Riley Bags and Products
Stuff happens, life happens and things get dirty. Life can be difficult, but careing for your Briggs & Riley luggage doesn't need to be difficult. Here are some guidelines for careing for your Briggs & Riley bags.
How to Care For Your Hardsided Luggage
Briggs & Riley hardside luggage is made from 100% virgin polycarbonate. Due to the nature of all polycarbonate cases, the bags will naturally receive surface scratches and scuffs during use. These marks are cosmetic and do not impede the functional aspects of the bag. Use these tips to keep your hardside luggage in good condition.
Storage and Use:
When your hardside luggage is not in use Briggs & Riley suggest you store it in the soft fabric bag provided.
Be sure to pack your bag properly. Most repairs on polycarbonate cases are due to bags being over-packed or way under-packed.
Don’t sit on your hardside luggage while waiting in line. Hardside cases are not designed to be a seat.
Cleaning and Care:
The polycarbonate exterior can be cleaned with a solution of mild soap and warm water, applied with a soft cloth or wash cloth.
For Mild Surface Marks:
Some mild surface marks can be buffed out by using a car wax or car polish.
For Scuff Marks:
Briggs & Riley recommend using any spot remover or rubbing alcohol. Avoid other chemical cleaners, as they will damage the clear-coat finish and leave a sticky residue. Apply the remover or rubbing alcohol to a soft cloth and gently rub the scuff mark. Remember to treat the scuffed area only, not the entire bag.
For The Interior:
Stuff happens. If you had a major spill of shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, etc., suction it up with a wet/dry vac. You may have to blot the spill with a bit of water to loosen residue as you vacuum. Repeat as needed to remove as much of the spillage as possible. Proactive tip: Next time, pack all liquids and spray cans / bottles in packing organizers or plastic zip-close bags to avoid spills and luggage disasters.
Even if you have not had any spills in your suitcase, its a good idea to vacuum the interior of your luggage to keep in clean. Don't forget to vacuum inside of any pockets. Check your pockets before vacuuming and make sure you haven't left any valuables inside. You can wipe away and small stains with a damp microfiber cloth.
How To Disinfect Handles and Bottoms:
Wipe handles with a damp microfiber cloth, a disinfecting wipe or an all-purpose cleaner. If there are wheels, wipe them off, too. For bags without wheels, take care to wipe the bottom of the bag. It often ends up sitting directly on floors and picking up all sorts of germs.
How to Care For Your Fabric Luggage?
Ballistic nylon and nylon bags which are dirty and/or dusty can easily be cleaned with a soft, damp microfiber cloth. For stains Briggs & Riley recommends using a mild laundry detergent and warm water. You can lightly sponge the stained area, but be careful not to soak the area. Air dry your suitcase away from direct sunlight. Adhesive lint brush rollers work great to remove lint, fuzz balls and dust as well.
How to Clean Molded Plastic, Hard-sided or Soft Vinyl
Remove spots using a microfiber cloth and mild soap and water or, for stubborn stains, use a solution of all-purpose non-abrasive cleaner and water, mixed according to product directions. Rinse and dry. To add a layer of protection, apply a coat of silicone-based auto wax to hard-sided luggage or a coat of Armor All to soft vinyl or molded plastic. As always, check luggage manufacturer’s care guide for specific recommendations.
How should I clean and care for my ballistic and leather bags?
For leather bags Briggs & Riley recommends using leather conditioner to clean, protect, and polish the bag. You should never use any products containing bleach to clean your bag. If stains are persistant, Going In Style recommends you contact a leather cleaning specialist.