Suitcases have it pretty rough. I make mine carry quite a bit of weight and expect it to perform under the almost grueling conditions. I know I'll take to supplant it eventually, but in the meantime, I'thousand learning how to repair my suitcase and you can as well!

Here are some ways your suitcase might interruption, and some resources on how to fix them.

How to fix a suitcase zipper

Oh zippers. They break, split, pinch, and rip. At best, they're a little sticky, and at worst, burst open while you catch a connecting flight in Heathrow Concluding 3 on the first leg of a six-week trip (non a true story).

If you think you can fix it, bank check out this article from Life Hacker with detailed directions for most zipper troubles. Lots of gems, such as how to fix a sticky zipper:

"Windex is good because information technology's not oil-based, just you can also use bar soap, or lip balm. Offset with the zipper all the way upward, and slowly apply lubricant to the teeth. Then inch the zipper downwards some more than, reapply, and continue doing that until the zipper comes all the fashion downwardly."

How to fix a stuck attachment:

"Starting time, double-bank check to make sure a slice of cloth or thread isn't stuck in the zipper. Next, await at the individual teeth. If any of them are sticking out, take hold of a pair of pliers and motility them back into place so they're all directly."

And if your attachment slider calls it quits:

"If the slider comes off completely, or if you lot demand to supersede the slider because it's not closing the teeth right, and so you demand to supervene upon the slider. To get the slider off, utilize some pliers to cutting it off. Once that'south done, attach the new zipper slider by sliding it dorsum onto the teeth."

If you need to supervene upon your attachment altogether, bravo, y'all're more aggressive than most. Personally, I would wait into a repair shop beginning, and weigh the cost before going the DIY route, but it'due south doable.

This article walks you through how to do information technology, what equipment you'll need, and how to accept intendance of your zippers (they suggest having a attachment logroller kit with you at all times…that'due south what I call being prepared!). They besides suggest keeping your zippers "happy" with regular lubrication betwixt trips. If y'all're struggling to see the attachment teeth and where they're not working, become a magnifying glass to do repairs.

How to prepare a suitcase handle

If your handle breaks off, now is the time to contact your luggage manufacturer for a replacement part. Release the cleaved handle, affix the replacement, and tighten the screws. If your release machinery stops working, and a good cleaning didn't assist, replacing a handle would also fix that right up.

If your telescoping handles interruption off, y'all'll need to open the suitcase up, including removing the lining, and expose the bolts that fasten the telescoping handles in place. Replace them in the same way as regular handles by contacting your manufacturer for new parts.

If your handle has a hard fourth dimension retracting out or in, information technology might have a aptitude casing or have debris inside the shaft. Loosen the screws and release the handles to inspect. Sometimes the fix is every bit unproblematic as a skilful cleaning and lubricant. If your handles are bent, try straightening them out. This post does a really slap-up task of walking you through how to completely fix or supplant a aptitude handle tube.

To avoid this problem in the future, don't overload your suitcase and resting heavy bags on the telescoping handles while you pull your suitcase.

How to fix suitcase wheels

When wheels cease working properly, it gets very annoying, very fast. Luckily, if the torso is unscathed, you can conduct your suitcase. Besides, wheels are pretty easy to fix or supersede. If your wheels are squeaky, endeavour to inspect the wheel caster. Clean it of any droppings and lubricate information technology. My instinct was to reach for the WD-40, but the travel forums say otherwise.

"Endeavor any type of silicone lube (which is basically what teflon lube is). I have a can of pyroil silicone lube at home, which I bought at a local auto parts store, and information technology comes with a straw. Information technology's a dry lube, pregnant information technology won't stay wet or leave a greasy residual like WD40 (hence dust magnet). You will have to spray it on occasion, only a lot of other household uses for it, then worth it."

If y'all demand to supplant a wheel, gild your new part from the manufacturer (become a few while you're at it). Open up your suitcase and unzip the liner to go to the nut bolts holding the wheel screws in identify. Remove the damaged bicycle. Pay attending to how the cycle is positioned and try to imitate where information technology's placed with the new cycle before screwing it in. Examination it out to make sure it's non wobbly or unbalanced. Or, watch a YouTube video nigh information technology.

How to repair your suitcase shell or outer fabric

If you have a fabric suitcase, y'all might eventually find a tear. What a shame to throw out a suitcase but for that! With a combination of duct tape, sewing, and iron-on patches, you lot can extend the life of your suitcase. This forum walks you through how to perform a textile repair on whatever blazon of bag.

If your difficult-beat out suitcase has a crack, you better believe the auto body repair blogs accept found the solution. They propose you choice upwards a carbon fibre repair kit online. Blogs accept also touted Sugru gum (that becomes similar rubber putty) as a cracking product for all sorts of plastic casing cracks and holes. Here is a tutorial, and here is Sugru.

How to repair a suitcase liner

If your suitcase lining or inside pockets take ripped, it might be abrasive to constantly be fishing for your items inside the lining. The no-fix fashion of dealing with this is to utilize packing cubes instead of relying on your built-in pockets and organizers.

A no-sew together option is to buy some fabric fe-on patches or interfacing and to follow this tutorial on how to properly use them.

"Cut a square of sticky interfacing large plenty to encompass the rip and place this behind it, inside the lining. Pull the fabric together and so that it meets all the style along the tear – this ensures a most-invisible repair and covers the interfacing. Set an atomic number 26 to medium and carefully utilise it to the front of the fabric: the heat volition make the interfacing bond with the material."

You can besides pick up a needle and thread and secure your new patch in identify.

Maintaining your suitcase

The best style to avert an unfortunate accident while traveling is to inspect and maintain your luggage before every trip. Clean and lubricate your baggage and double-check anything that looks wobbly or weak before you go on the plane.

Before you get-go repairing anything, check your warranty: you lot may be entitled to a brand new replacement and not take to use any of these tips?

Happy Travels!

Looking to upgrade your suitcase? Take a look at my suitcase recommendations!

how to fix a suitcase