How To Wash A Backpack
Commuting to work, going to school, hiking or even just enjoying a day in the park can all leave their marks (literally!) on your backpack. And if you’ve got kids, dirty backpacks are inevitable— from apple juice spills, forgotten bananas, exploding pens, to damp gym clothes. (And that doesn’t begin to address the issues of germs). So it pays to know how to effectively clean a backpack.
Read on for step-by-step instructions for how to hand wash or machine wash a backpack just in time for a new school year!
Check The Label
Before you give it a thorough wash, check the care label, likely located in the main compartment. If the label says the bag should not be submerged in water, use a cloth and a small amount of All-Purpose Cleaner to scrub particularly dirty areas. If there is no label, test-clean a small area of the bag’s surface and interior before you wash the whole thing.
Machine Washing A Backpack
Basic school backpacks and bookbags made of nylon or canvas can usually be washed in a washing machine, but be sure to check the care label first. (If the bag has leather trim, don’t machine-wash.)
Step 1: Empty the backpack and brush off visible dirt
Open every pocket and compartment and remove all items, leaving pockets unzipped. Shake out the backpack to remove dirt or crumbs and brush off dirt and buildup on the outside. You can also use a vacuum attachment along the inner and outer seams. Remove any metal frames and detachable straps and hip belts.
Step 2: Read the care instructions label
Care labels are usually located inside the backpack. Follow the instructions for cleaning. If there isn’t a label, be sure to test the fabric in a less visible spot with about ¼ teaspoon of detergent first to avoid fading or damage.
Step 3: Spot treat stains
Using a teaspoon of detergent mixed with lukewarm water or Oxi-Clean Stain Remover and a soft-bristled brush or sponge, gently clean any visible stains.
Step 4: Machine wash with a gentle cycle
Cut any loose threads around the zippers. Place the backpack inside a pillowcase or laundry bag to prevent straps or zippers from getting tangled or caught inside the washer. Add a small amount of laundry detergent or tear one Laundry Detergent Sheet in half and run a gentle cycle.
Step 5: Air dry
After the wash cycle is complete, use an old towel to gently pat away excess moisture, and hang up the bag to air dry. Never put a backpack or bookbag in the dryer, as the heat can damage the fabric and accessories like zipper pulls.
Hand Washing A Backpack
Some backpacks may need to be hand washed, because of the material they are made from. Some backpacks have a waterproof coating on them– this can be easily determined by touching the fabric on both sides. If one of the sides is smooth, and the other side not so smooth, there may be a coating over it. These backpacks should not be put in washing machines and should be hand washed.
Step 1: Empty the backpack and brush off visible dirt
Open every pocket and compartment and remove all items, leaving pockets unzipped. Shake out the backpack to remove dirt or crumbs and brush off dirt and buildup on the outside. You can also use a vacuum attachment along the inner and outer seams. Remove any metal frames and detachable straps and hip belts.
Step 2: Read the care instructions label
Care labels are usually located inside the backpack. Follow the instructions for cleaning. If there isn’t a label, be sure to test the fabric in a less visible spot with about ¼ teaspoon of detergent first to avoid fading or damage.
Step 3: Spot treat stains
Using a teaspoon of detergent mixed with lukewarm water or Oxi-Clean Stain Remover and a soft-bristled brush or sponge, gently clean any visible stains.
Step 4: Gently wash the backpack in lukewarm water
Fill a sink, large basin or bathtub with lukewarm water and one Laundry Detergent Sheet. If the backpack can be submerged, place it directly in the water. Scrub both the inside and outside of the backpack with a sponge or washcloth. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the zippers to remove any buildup.
Step 5: Rinse and air dry
If you’ve submerged the backpack, drain the soapy water and replace with clean, cool water to thoroughly rinse. If you’ve only used a sponge or cloth without submerging, soak the sponge in clean water and go over the backpack to remove any detergent. Use an old towel to gently pat away excess moisture, and hang up the bag to air dry. Never put a backpack or bookbag in the dryer, as the heat can damage the fabric and accessories like zipper pulls.
Cleaning Leather Backpacks
Whether your backpack is made of all leather, or just has a leather bottom that you’d like to clean, first empty out your bag. Then, similar to how you’d clean a leather chair, use a leather cleaner and conditioner, or a little saddle soap, on a damp cloth to remove grime. Follow up with a clean damp cloth to remove remaining residue. When the backpack is completely dry, apply the leather conditioner sparingly to the leather for added protection.
Sanitizing A Backpack
Every now and then, damp gym clothes may get left inside a backpack for days. Athlete’s foot fungus and bacteria from sweaty socks, shirts and towels cause odors and can transfer onto the bag itself. So, can you disinfect a sweaty, smelly backpack? In a word, no. While you can kill germs on soft fabric surfaces, they technically cannot be disinfected. Only hard non-porous surfaces can be cleaned of germs to the level required to be disinfected. However, soft surfaces can be sanitized. While chlorine bleach can damage the coating on the interior of a backpack, you can instead try a non-bleach disinfecting wipe like those from Boulder Clean.
Cleaning Maintenance
Washing a backpack from time-to-time will not only keep it clean but also extend its lifespan somewhat. For ongoing maintenance, consider a monthly routine of a quick wipe-down or brushing. A nice, clean backpack can be the perfect thing to get you excited about the upcoming school year, a new job or a new adventure!