Flight Attendants And Frequent Travelers Recommend This Tip To Save Your Luggage
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
No one knows the ins and outs of travel like a flight attendant. In addition to all the skills and training they need to have for emergencies, and the day-to-day running of a flight, they're traveling far more than most of us ever will. That means they've got all the best tips and tricks. Flight attendants know which seats are the worst to book and how a hidden armrest function can make sleeping on a plane easier. However, there is another trick that you may not have heard about that both flight attendants and frequent travelers swear by, which is putting electrical tape on the wheels of your luggage. As someone who has traveled quite a bit myself, I can tell you that this absolutely works.
If you have wheeled luggage (and if you don't, go get some right now), you know how easy it is for the wheels to get banged up. I've gotten rid of otherwise good suitcases because the wheels have cracked, either from overenthusiastic luggage handlers or dragging them over cobblestone streets in Europe. And besides the risk of cracking, damaged wheels can also make a noise as they roll (or drag) that's enough to make you want to throw the bag through a window. However, this very cheap and easy trick can turn that all around.
Putting electrical tape on the wheels of your luggage
You can do this with duct tape, but electrical tape works better. (I've tried both.) However, before you purchase the tape, make sure you measure the wheels so you get the right width. You can see how it works in a TikTok video from @Cooking_With_The_Vu_Fam below.
@cooking_with_the_vu_fam Tape Protects Luggage Wheels From Damage! 🧳
It's also a good idea to wipe down the wheels with rubbing alcohol first to get any dirt off so the tape sticks better. Then, apply the tape, cut the end with scissors so it matches up (don't try to tear it, or it will stretch), and head out for your trip. However, if you take the suggestion from @dailyoriginalvideos on Instagram — which they claim they learned from a flight attendant — and use colorful tape, it can help distinguish your luggage from everyone else's. (Depending on the width of your wheels, you can try a multi-color pack of Amazon Basics Strong Adhesive Electrical Tape, which comes with 10 rolls for just over $8 at the time of this writing.) The user also mentions that the tape makes the wheels quieter, which is even better.
When you put on the tape, make sure that it is just over the actual wheels and not the mechanism, so there aren't issues with them spinning. You may want to replace the tape for each trip as well. Finally, while you're thinking about luggage, here's why the color of that luggage could make or break your trip.