How do I get rid of the musty smell from my suitcase?

A musty smell in suitcases is usually caused by damp or mould. Spraying perfume over it merely masks the smell and doesn’t really help.

Here’s how to get rid of it: 

• Wash the inside of the suitcase – a mixture of warm water and vinegar or a mild detergent is recommended. Make sure you only clean the suitcase whilst it’s slightly damp and don’t soak it. Leave it open to dry until it’s completely dry; otherwise, it’ll only get worse
• For a persistent mouldy smell, carefully treat the mould stains with alcohol or a standard mould spray applied to a cloth. Please note: It’s best to test this first on an inconspicuous area to check that the material doesn’t change, e.g. become dull
• Open the suitcase completely and leave it in a dry, well-ventilated place for several days
• Place it in the sun – the UV light and heat help to combat unpleasant odours
• Neutralise the odour – after cleaning, you can place bicarbonate of soda, activated charcoal odour absorbers or coffee grounds inside the closed suitcase. After several days, the odour should have improved.