Most suitcases die of neglect, not travel. Ten minutes of care per trip keeps a good case rolling for a decade.
Empty it properly
Crumbs, sand and a forgotten chocolate square do more interior damage than any airline. Vacuum the liner, leave it open for a day, done.
Wash the wheels
Terminal floors coat wheels in grit that grinds bearings. Warm soapy water and an old toothbrush restore the silent roll.
Treat the shell kindly
Polycarbonate likes mild soap; aluminium likes nothing but a soft cloth. Skip solvent cleaners — they win the stain battle and lose the finish war.
Replace, don’t retire
A wobbling wheel or sticky handle is a ten-minute part swap, not a landfill sentence. Keep the hex key from the wheel kit where you can find it.
