Caring for your Stratic suitcase - tips for the outer material and wheels
With the right care, your Stratic suitcase will stay looking like new for a long time. Here you can find out how to clean and care for soft luggage, hard-shell suitcases and wheels gently and effectively.
Cleaning the outer material: soft luggage and hard-shell suitcases
Soft luggage: to remove stains, Stratic recommends a mild soap solution applied to a soft cloth. Please do not apply the cleaning liquid directly to the outer material. Otherwise, unsightly marks may appear, especially on light-coloured fabrics.
Hard-shell suitcases with a high-gloss finish: use car or furniture polish for care. Black streaks from conveyor belts can sometimes be difficult to remove – rubber abrasion can work its way deep into the material as the suitcase rubs against conveyor belts. Regular care with polish helps to prevent permanent discolouration.
Caring for suitcase wheels and getting them running smoothly again
Stiff or squeaky wheels can be restored quickly and easily with silicone spray. Here's how:
- Remove coarse dirt from the wheels
- Clean the wheels with mild soap and leave them to dry completely
- Then spray the wheels evenly with silicone spray
Important: never use harsh or corrosive cleaning agents to clean the wheels. These can attack the material and make the wheels porous and brittle.
Frequently asked questions about caring for Stratic suitcases
How do I remove stains from a Stratic soft luggage suitcase?
Apply a mild soapy solution to the affected area with a soft cloth. Never apply the cleaning liquid directly to the material, to avoid leaving marks.
How do I care for a hard-shell suitcase?
High-gloss hard-shell suitcases can easily be refreshed with car or furniture polish. This protects the surface and helps to minimise light scratches and marks.
How do I care for a hard-shell suitcase?
High-gloss hard-shell suitcases can easily be refreshed with car or furniture polish. This protects the surface and helps to minimise light scratches and marks.
What to do if your suitcase wheels are stiff?
First clean the wheels with soap and water. Once they are dry, spray silicone spray onto the wheels – this ensures they run smoothly and protects the material.
Which cleaning agents are unsuitable for suitcase wheels?
Harsh, corrosive or solvent-based cleaners are unsuitable. They attack the wheel material and make it porous and brittle over time.
Stratic combination lock & TSA lock – troubleshooting and resetting the combination
Forgotten your combination, lock jammed or left open after a customs check? Here you will find all the answers about the Stratic TSA combination lock – explained step by step.
The Stratic TSA combination lock: how it works & important information
The TSA lock on your Stratic suitcase is secured by a number combination only. A key is not included and cannot be reordered.
As a TSA-certified lock, it can be opened and locked again by customs security staff when entering the USA and the UK using an official master key – without causing damage. This master key is held exclusively by the relevant security authorities.
Forgotten your combination? Here's how to decode the lock yourself
If you have forgotten the combination you set or the lock has been changed, you can work out the combination yourself. Allow around 20–30 minutes for this. Here's how:
- Start with the combination 000
- Systematically try every combination until the lock opens
- Once you have found the correct combination, set your own preferred combination again – starting from the number currently set
Need help? Our service hotline will be happy to talk you through the process step by step over the phone.
Important when setting the combination: the zip pullers must not be engaged in the lock while you set it. There is no trick for resetting the combination – this is intentional, so that unauthorised persons cannot access the contents of your suitcase
TSA lock left open after a customs check? Here's how to close it again
Was your TSA lock not locked again after a customs check? You can close the lock cylinder yourself by turning it anticlockwise. Any narrow object that fits into the cylinder will do – such as the tip of a knife, a pair of scissors or a screwdriver
Frequently asked questions about the Stratic TSA combination lock
Is there a key for the Stratic TSA lock? No. The TSA combination lock is secured by a number combination only. A key is not included and is not available.
Are customs allowed to open my TSA lock? Yes. TSA locks can be opened and locked again without damage by customs in the USA and the UK using an official master key.
How long does it take to decode a forgotten combination? Systematically trying all combinations usually takes 20–30 minutes. Start at 000 and work your way through all possible combinations.
How do I set a new combination on the Stratic lock? First open the lock with the combination currently set. Then set your new preferred combination – the zip pullers must not be engaged while you do so.
What should I do if the TSA lock is open after a customs check? Turn the lock cylinder anticlockwise to close it. A narrow object such as a pair of scissors or a screwdriver can help.
Frequently asked questions about the Stratic TSA combination lock
Is there a key for the Stratic TSA lock?
No. The TSA combination lock is secured exclusively by a combination. A key is not included and is not available.
Are customs allowed to open my TSA lock?
Yes. TSA locks can be opened and relocked by customs officials in the USA and the UK using an official master key without causing damage.
How long does it take to decode a forgotten combination?
Systematically trying out all combinations usually takes 20–30 minutes. Start at 000 and work your way through all possible combinations.
How do I set a new combination on the Stratic lock?
First open the lock with the combination that is currently set. Then set your new combination – the zip pullers must not be engaged in the lock while you do so.
What should I do if the TSA lock is open after a customs inspection?
Turn the lock cylinder anticlockwise to close it. A narrow object such as a pair of scissors or a screwdriver can help.
