Vintage Suitcases: How to Clean and Refresh (and keep their classic appeal)
Vintage suitcases and trunks have seen a lifetime of wear and tear. Here are ways you can clean and refresh them, while still keeping their classic appeal. Fun for home decor and storage!
Warm weather is a wonderful time to refresh and rejuvenate old suitcases and trunks! Not necessarily to take any more trips, but to enjoy and use for vintage style decor and handsome extra storage. With a little TLC, these classic beauties can be enjoyed for another generation. Today I’ll share my insider secrets of how to refresh old suitcases while keeping their vintage charm. Vintage Suitcases: How to Clean and Refresh (and keep their classic appeal).
Vintage Suitcases: How to Clean and Refresh
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Before I begin with my tips and tricks to revitalize old suitcases and trunks, I want to clarify that I pick up vintage suitcases that are in rough shape. These are not pretty examples that have been taken care of through the years. If they were, I would pop them right into my house with a quick wipe-up. The suitcases I find are usually in curbside trash piles {“Curbside Junking Adventures and Tips”}. They’ve definitely seen better days and been given up on by their original owners. This is a vintage rescue mission, basically;)
First, Clean the Years of Dirt and Grime Away on the Vintage Suitcase
To begin the refresh process, give your vintage suitcase or footlocker a good scrubbing and cleaning. I like to do this outside in the driveway on a sunny day! Get a bucket of sudsy good-smelling soap (I love THIS) and a soft nylon cleaning brush and a sponge. If there’s ground-in dirt or scuff marks, especially on textured surfaces, use a mild bleach-free cleanser like THIS. An old toothbrush works well to get in small crevices, like where the metal closures meet the body and also the stitching.
Once you’re satisfied with your cleaning, rinse the suitcase with hose water soon after, so the soap doesn’t sit too long on the surface. Dry with an old towel or in the warm sunshine. Your suitcase should look noticeably cleaner and brighter!
Does your Vintage Suitcase have Stained Fabric on the Inside? Get rid of it!
Many times the inside fabrics of vintage suitcases and trunks have spills and stains. Sometimes they even have an old or musty smell from being closed most of the time. In order to be able to use these old suitcases as storage or for display, I usually rip out the inside fabric.
Rip the inside fabric out until you get down to the cardboard or wood foundation.
*Tip: Use a pliers when ripping out the inside fabric of the vintage suitcase; it will save your hand.
Vacuum out the debris, and scrub and clean the insides, like you did the outside. Dry well in the sun.
Note: The only exception where I keep the inside is when a vintage suitcase still has it’s original, patterned paper inside! If this treasure is still intact and in good shape, I like to keep it. I may give it a sealing coat of decoupage medium (HERE) or give it a coat of poly (HERE). This will help seal in any old odors and make the surface wipeable.
Replace the Old Suitcase Insides with Decoupage
Now you’ve got a clean slate to decorate the insides!
Replacing the insides of the vintage suitcase with vintage paper or fabric will give you a much cleaner, sealed decor item. I like to decoupage old maps, old book pages and vintage music to the insides. You could also use a cute fabric that coordinates with your home decor.
Have fun with the placement and the theme of what you decoupage inside. I used an old science book that had skeleton illustrations for a Halloween themed inside of one black leather suitcase. This suitcase, above has a garden theme with pages pulled out of a vintage garden book.
Lastly, Revitalize the Outside of the Vintage Suitcase
Vintage suitcases and trunks are all made from different materials on the outside, but here are some ideas to revitalize them and make them look their best.
If the suitcase is a leather-type, use a leather reconditioner or wipes like you do for leather car upholstery. (HERE)
If the suitcase is brown and it’s surface is worn, showing the lighter below, wipe a coat of THIS over the surface to deepen it’s color. It will revitalize the oils in the surface, too. You can choose the light or dark version, whichever matches better.
If the suitcase is a hard vinyl-type (like the blue and greens) give it a coat of paste wax. I use THIS and apply with a soft cloth, buffing after it dries.
For more of a metal trunk-type suitcase or footlocker, or even cardboard-type surfaces, brush on a coat of my favorite poly (HERE). This can also be used on any rusty metal hinges to bring out their patina also.
For more fun vintage suitcase makeovers and how I’ve decorated with them:
“Repurposing a Vintage Cosmetic Case”
“5 Simple Steps to a Fun Vintage Suitcase Vignette”
Hopefully these ideas will give you some direction on how to make the outsides and insides of your vintage suitcases and trunks look good! Their beautiful, travel-earned character can still be enjoyed in your home for decor and extra storage.
The next time you see an old suitcase or trunk on the side of the road, don’t let it’s not-quite-perfect condition hinder you! With a little TLC and a refresh, it’s usefulness and beauty can be restored! Vintage suitcases have classic architectural character. No more trips for these beauties; they’re function and beauty can be enjoyed right at home! Hope you enjoyed Vintage Suitcases: How to Clean and Refresh (and keep their classic appeal).
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Hi Lora , Greetings from Australia ! I found your post whilst looking for info on how to refurbish a suitcase for a wedding for guests to put cards in . I need to line a suitcase with fabric and have some lovely Timeless Treasures fabric called Sakura, with cherry blossom branches on a pale cream back ground . The suitcase has strong checked paper lining which is firmly stuck in some places and a name and address with thick dark marker inside the lid . i think this will show through if I dont line the fabric, or the suitcase first , Can you give me any ideas or tips on howto mange this and line the case with fabric ?
Many thanks
Jenny
Hi, Jenny! Welcome! I think the idea of using an old suitcase for cards is wonderful; I helped a friend do it a couple years ago. Your cherry blossom fabric sounds lovely! I’m wondering if you could just paint the inside with a stain blocking primer first, so you have a white base. You have a couple options to attach the fabric inside: you can use a fabric glue and glue around the edges, turning the edges under a little, or you could decoupage the whole back of the fabric to the inside of the suitcase. The decoupage way is easier, but you may get some bubbles. Just use a light coat. You can always finish off around the edges with some cute fabric trim, too! Good luck! It will be a great piece to remember the special day with!
What a treasure trove of suitcases you have, Lora! Great storage and restoration ideas. Thanks for sharing all of your posts with us at Vintage Charm.
I have amassed quite a collection over the years, Diana! I especially love the old brown, Sound of Music types! There’s always room for one more though;)
I have quite a few old suitcases too. I did have to put hanging tags on them with the contents written on them because I kept forgetting what was in each one! You have some great tips!
Hang tags are a great idea, & especially because I can be so “out-of-sight, out-of-mind”! Thanks for commenting!
I love old suitcases, I have a stack of them in my living room and one of the old trunks I use for a coffee table!
Tania
Me too, Tania! Their textures are so beautiful and they’re great storage! Thanks for commenting! Love your blog.