How to Repair Luggage

Every person who travels wishes that his luggage is never damaged, but such a wish is seldom fulfilled. What to do when the luggage is damaged? You have 2 options:

• You can replace the luggage.
• You can repair it.

If you are reluctant to replace the luggage (due to some emotional attachment to the luggage or due to the lack of money), you should consider repairing it. If you think that, going to the nearest luggage repair shop to repair your luggage will cost you a lot, you can fix the luggage at your home (but it might lack the professional finishing).

If you think that your attempt to repair the luggage will exacerbate the damage, then you should seek professional help, but if you are confident that you have the skill to furbish up your luggage, then go ahead. Here I have discussed the solutions to 4 common damages:

How many of you have the experience of carrying a heavy luggage with broken wheels? If you have, you will surely know how exasperating such a situation can be! If you have a broken luggage wheel, you have to replace it.

If you have the right tool to remove the existing wheels, and a set of brand new wheels, then it is not difficult to replace luggage wheels. Follow the steps mentioned here.

• Remove the wheels on the luggage.
• Carefully attach the new wheels.
• Test the new wheels.
• Fix the problems that arose during testing.

Note: See that you do not apply too much pressure while attaching the new wheels, else you might damage it!

You might not pay attention to a minor tear, but a prominent tear demands tending. To repair your torn luggage, you can use either of the 2 methods:

Stitching
Take the appropriate thread and needle to stitch. Take the threaded needle, and pierce it through the torn fabric from inside, and pull it through the fabric on the other side of the tear, continue till the tear is completely stitched. If you want you can stick a patch (it should match your luggage) on the stitched surface.

Gluing
This method is comparatively easy. You just have to take a patch, and glue it to the torn surface from the inside of the luggage. When you glue the patch, make sure that you are holding the torn edges close to each other. Allow the glue to dry completely, attach an outer patch if you wish to.

Rough handling of your luggage may lead to a damaged handle, and there is no point in having great luggage wheels, if you have a broken handle. Here are the instructions to replace the damaged handle.

• Purchase a new handle (suitable for luggage).
• Use a screwdriver to detach the old handle.
• Fasten the new handle to the luggage.
• Inspect the new handle thoroughly.

It is very easy to damage the luggage zipper, but it is not easy to fix it. If the zipper is stuck, you can fix it by applying some wax on it. If it is broken then you should replace it. To replace the broken zipper you will have to:

• Buy a new zipper.
• Carefully pull out the old zipper.
• Stitch the new zipper to the luggage.
• Test the new zipper.

Expensive luggage should be repaired by a professional. You should always empty the luggage before you begin. Repairing your luggage might be time-consuming, so do not start repairing, if you do not have enough time to spare. A little time, skill, and effort will help you repair it successfully.

Note: We recommend you to carry a repair kit while traveling.