Scrubbing Bubbles or Baking Soda?

I have 4 pieces of canvas luggage.  One piece is bright orange, from Ralph Lauren.  It's large.  I took it to Italy.  And to London.  And it's terribly dirty :(

Another piece is bright apple green.  I use it for 2-3 nights away from home.  That happens often.  It's terribly dirty as well :(

I have a pink piece and a blue piece, but somehow they aren't as filthy.  But they aren't the right sizes.  So I need to clean the orange and the green.  What's a girl to do?  Well, I googled eHow, of course!  eHow has told me a few things.  I've not done any of them.  Ever.  Have you?

Dry Baking Soda Method

Sprinkle dry baking soda onto the canvas exterior of the luggage. Scrub it with a brush to remove the soil. Brush away the soda residue with another brush. Dry baking soda almost always removes oil spots and most other types of soil. It also does a good job of cleaning the piece overall. This method is the easiest for your luggage.

Baking Soda and Water Method

If the dry baking soda didn't remove all the soil, try mixing about 4 tbsp. of baking soda in a cup of water. Dampen a clean cloth with the solution and rub it on the spot, being careful not to get the canvas too wet. Avoid getting the metal framework of the luggage under the canvas wet because doing so might make it rust. Dry the clean luggage with a hand held hair dryer.

Laundry Detergent Method

For more stubborn stains, rub the spots with a little laundry detergent mixed with water. Pre-treat it, if necessary, with Fels Naptha soap, again being careful not to get the fabric too wet. When the fabric is cleaned, dry the luggage with a hand held hair dryer.


Stained and Ashamed,
T