Life Hack: Holiday packing? How to get the most out of your suitcase lining

Denise O'Donoghue shares some handy tips for making the most of that inner suitcase lining

Some recommend packing shoes and sandals in the space behind it to keep any dirt from the soles from transferring over to your holiday wardrobe.

A few days ago, I came across a post on social media querying the function of the lining inside a typical wheeled suitcase.

You’re likely familiar with it: A thin lining inside your suitcase with a zip down the middle that, when open, exposes the outer casing of your bag.

Some people believe its main purpose is to make rips less likely if your case needs to be searched as it is brought through airport security, but it’s to help with repairs (more on those below).

Either way, there are still plenty of ways to make the most of it.

You might be reading this and wondering why it’s even a question; you’ve been using it for a particular function for years. However, the comments showed me not only do people have hacks around it that match my own thinking, but there are also ways it is utilised that I didn’t expect.

Here are a few ways you can make the most of that inner suitcase lining.

Keep your washing separate

This is probably the most frequent use that was mentioned in the comments. It makes sense too: You’re coming back from a trip and forgot to pack a bag for your worn socks and underwear, for example, and you want to keep them separate from your clean clothes. The solution is simple and straightforward, with many people just unzipping the lining and stashing their to-be-washed items there.

In a similar vein, others recommend packing shoes and sandals in the space behind it to prevent dirt on the soles from transferring over to your clothes.

Clever packing space

Some holidaymakers use the space between the inner suitcase lining and the outer shell as extra packing space. One person pointed out how the mechanisms for the pull-up handle for the suitcase typically run down the back of the case, so your clothes won’t sit flat when placed, potentially leading to wrinkled fabrics. They suggested ‘stuffing’ the cavities around it with items like shoes and socks — basically anything that can withstand a potential hit when placed in a less buffered area — to create a smoother space inside the case. No more bent books and crumpled clothes thanks to that tip.

Spill preventer

Bags can get knocked about while in transit, meaning your carefully packed luggage can be loosened in transit and spill out when the bag is opened — fine if you’re in a hotel room, not ideal if you’re grabbing something quickly before getting on a bus.

To combat this, some people use the zippered lining as an extra layer of security to prevent spills. To do this, they unzip the lining and open it as wide as possible, packing all their luggage against the outer lining before zipping it closed, keeping their belongings snug and secure.

Keeping your case clean and functional

Another basic function of the lining in your suitcase is to make it easy to keep clean so your holiday doesn’t get off to an unfortunate beginning with sullied clothes.

If you want to clean it, however, it usually cannot be removed from the case, so you will need another approach. Vacuuming the case first will remove loose dirt and crumbs.

To tackle spills and stains, dabbing with a cloth dipped in water and washing up liquid will do the trick.

You can also snuff any lingering scents by sprinkling bicarbonate of soda (or baking soda) and letting it sit for at least a day before vacuuming it away.

But, as mentioned above, the main purpose of these liners is to allow access to the inner side of the outer shell so, if any repairs need to be done, they can be carried out without damaging the inner part of your suitcase.

This means things like broken wheels can be quickly and easily replaced from the inside of the suitcase.