Cling Wrap for Luggage: Everything You Need to Know

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Kid Sitting on the Floor Beside Luggage
Credit: pexels.com, Kid Sitting on the Floor Beside Luggage

Cling wrap for luggage is a simple yet effective way to protect your belongings from dust, dirt, and moisture. It's also a great way to keep your luggage organized and easy to pack.

You can use cling wrap to cover your luggage's zippers, buckles, and other metal parts to prevent them from getting scratched or damaged. This is especially important if you're shipping your luggage or storing it for a long time.

Using cling wrap on your luggage can also help to prevent the growth of mildew and mold, which can be a problem if your luggage gets wet or humid. This is because cling wrap acts as a barrier between your belongings and the air, preventing moisture from seeping in.

Cling wrap for luggage is also a great way to repurpose old or excess cling wrap, reducing waste and saving you money in the long run.

What is Cling Wrap for Luggage?

Credit: youtube.com, How to Wrap your Baggage Manually with Cling Film

Cling Wrap for Luggage is a service offered at airports that provides a protective layer for your luggage.

This layer offers scratch and dust protection, which can help keep your luggage looking new for longer.

People pay for these services at the airport, but they offer a number of advantages.

The wrap also offers additional security to luggage, preventing tampering and theft.

Benefits and Drawbacks

The benefits of using cling wrap for luggage are numerous.

One of the main advantages is that it acts as a theft deterrent, protecting your belongings from sticky fingers of thieves.

Airport workers have been known to rummage through suitcases and steal personal items, but a layer of sealed wrap can prevent this.

The plastic wrap also offers protection from general wear and tear and natural elements such as rain, making it a great option for expensive items like wheelchairs and golf clubs.

Here are some of the benefits of using cling wrap for luggage:

  • Theft Deterrent
  • Protection from wear and tear
  • Prevents damage to expensive items
  • Prevents smuggling
  • Peace of mind

Many airlines have improved their manual handling procedures since 2017, reducing complaints about mishandled baggage.

Types of Film

Car being wrapped with white vinyl in an auto workshop by a skilled mechanic.
Credit: pexels.com, Car being wrapped with white vinyl in an auto workshop by a skilled mechanic.

PVC luggage wrapping film is renowned for its flexibility and sturdiness, making it a great choice for conscious travelers.

It effortlessly conforms to the shapes of diverse bags, garbaging them securely, and its transparency provides visibility of the contents.

PE luggage wrap film is an economical option for those seeking basic protection, usually providing decent puncture and tear resistance.

However, this film type is less stretchy than PVC, often leading to less-tight wraps.

Special films come with additional features such as anti-static properties and UV resistance, making them ideal for particular travel needs.

Here are some common types of luggage wrapping film:

These types of film cater to different needs and preferences, from eco-friendliness to basic protection.

Pros of Wrapping Luggage

Wrapping your luggage in plastic offers several benefits. It can serve as a theft deterrent, as airport workers have been known to rummage through suitcases and steal personal items.

A layer of sealed wrap protects suitcases and backpacks from general wear and tear and the natural elements such as rain. This is especially useful for expensive items that don't usually come in a protective case, like wheelchairs, pushchairs, golf clubs, and bicycles.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Prevent Theft from Your Checked Luggage | (Is this REALLY the best way to keep luggage safe?)

The plastic wrapping service also provides peace of mind, which is a popular reason to use it. In fact, the Department of Transportation reported that in 2017, the highest number of complaints related to air travel was for mishandled baggage.

Here are some of the reasons why people use plastic wrapping services:

  • Theft Deterrent
  • Protection from general wear and tear and natural elements
  • Prevent Damage to expensive items
  • Prevent Smuggling
  • Peace of Mind

Cons of Wrapping Luggage

Wrapping your luggage in plastic may not be as effective as you think. The TSA will still perform random checks and happily remove the plastic wrap for the safety and security of passengers.

Prices for wrapping your luggage can range from $15 to $35, depending on the size and irregularity of your suitcase. You could do it cheaper at home with your own plastic wrap.

The plastic wrap won't prevent the TSA from inspecting your luggage, even if you've wrapped it up nicely.

Airport and Security Considerations

Airport luggage wraps are worth the cost, as they offer several benefits, including cost savings and scratch and dust protection.

Luggage wraps also provide an additional layer of security, preventing tampering and theft.

Secure Wrap, a popular plastic wrap service, guarantees to rewrap your suitcase if it's unwrapped for additional security inspection by TSA or an equivalent agency.

TSA Inspecting Your Suitcase

Credit: youtube.com, AskTSA: Preparing Carry-on Bags for Security Screening

If TSA needs to open your suitcase, you can rest assured that some plastic wrap services will rewrap it for you. This is the case with Secure Wrap, which has employees and machinery inside all TSA baggage screening locations in the US to ensure your items are rewrapped if opened for inspection.

You can feel confident that your wrapped suitcase will be intact after a TSA inspection, thanks to Secure Wrap's guarantee.

Prevent Theft and Tampering

Most luggage wraps are made with durable materials that are hard to cut or tear, making them a great way to add an extra layer of security to your luggage.

A well-wrapped piece of luggage will need an extra effort to open by any thief, which can help prevent theft and tampering.

Some wraps have a "tampering" feature where they break or show visible signs of tampering whenever someone tries to mishandle or open the wrapping.

Regardless of the construction materials used in making the suitcase, there is a suitable wrap for everyone, including those with fragile items that need extra safety.

Environmental and Practical Aspects

Credit: youtube.com, Still Wrapping Your Suitcases in Plastic? Why?

Most baggage protection companies use 100% recyclable plastic for their wrapping materials.

Companies like Seal & Go and True Star encourage travelers to recycle their used plastic bags at the airport, making it easy to do the right thing.

Secure Wrap and Safe Bag have developed a film that can stretch up to 300% of its original size, allowing them to use less material on each item wrapped.

Environmental Impact of Plastic

Most baggage protection companies use 100% recyclable plastic to wrap bags, encouraging travelers to recycle used plastic at the airport.

Companies like Seal & Go and True Star prioritize sustainability by using recyclable materials.

Secure Wrap and Safe Bag claim their film can be stretched up to 300% of its original size, allowing them to use less material on each item wrapped.

This efficient use of material reduces waste and minimizes the environmental impact of plastic wrapping.

Choosing Film

Choosing the right film for your luggage wrapping needs is crucial. You'll want to consider the material used to manufacture the film. PVC luggage wrapping film, for example, is eco-friendly and can be recycled, making it an optimal choice for conscious travelers.

Food Wrap
Credit: pexels.com, Food Wrap

The type of material used can also determine the level of protection your luggage receives. PE luggage wrap film, on the other hand, is a more economical option that provides decent puncture and tear resistance.

The thickness of the film is also an important factor to consider. Thicker films designed for outdoor use will provide more sturdiness than thinner films meant for indoor use.

Here's a quick rundown of the key factors to consider when choosing a luggage wrapping film:

If you're looking for a film with additional features, consider special films with anti-static properties or UV resistance. These films are ideal for travelers with unique needs, such as protecting electronic items from static discharge or minimizing the likelihood of deterioration in sunny regions.

Are Airport Wraps Worth It?

Airport wraps are a game-changer for travelers. They help cut costs by eliminating the need to purchase luggage tags or stickers.

People pay for airport luggage wraps, but they're worth every penny. These wraps offer scratch and dust protection, which is especially useful for fragile items.

Additional security is a major benefit of airport wraps. They prevent tampering and theft, giving you peace of mind while traveling.

Airport wraps are a simple yet effective way to protect your luggage. They're a worthwhile investment for anyone who wants to safeguard their belongings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people wrap their suitcases in cling film?

People wrap their suitcases in cling film to protect them from tampering, damage, and theft during air travel. This service is often offered at airports to safeguard travelers' belongings.

Will TSA open wrapped luggage?

TSA may cut open wrapped luggage during secondary screening, so consider alternative protection methods

Elmer Kassulke

Lead Assigning Editor

Here is a 100-word author bio for Elmer Kassulke: Elmer Kassulke is an accomplished Assigning Editor with a keen interest in storytelling. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for research, Elmer has covered a wide range of topics, from the Port of Bristol to the works of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Their expertise spans various categories, including geography, history, culture, and transportation, making them a versatile and reliable voice in the world of journalism.

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