How To Wash A Backpack By Hand And In The Washer?

Whether they are filled with books and supplies for school, hiking gear, or simply serve as your daily carryall, backpacks, and bookbags can develop stains or stains over time. Once or twice a year, when it’s time to deeply clean your backpacks, spot-treat stains, gently wash them per the care label instructions and allow items to air dry completely.

For detailed cleaning instructions and advice on disinfecting, drying, storing, and mending these necessary bags for school students, hikers, and almost everyone who prefers these bags for carrying their belongings, continue reading.

Before You Start Cleaning Your Backpack

No matter what brand your backpack is, what material it’s made from, or what cleaning method you’re using, you’ll want to follow these tips first before doing anything else.

1. Unzip every pocket and completely empty the backpack.
2. Shake out any dirt and food particles by turning the backpack upside down over a trash can that is open. You can use a soft brush to remove dirt, or you can attach your vacuum’s crevice tool to it to remove any crumbs or fur balls that may be stuck in the seams.

How To Wash A Backpack By Hand?

The most secure way to clean a bookbag or a backpack is by hand washing. Some bags have protective coatings that might degrade in the washer, especially hiking packs. You should only wash your bag by hand if it is made of leather, has leather trim, or has embellishments like iron-on patches or embroidery.

What you’ll need:

• Mild (fragrance- and additive-free) soap or detergent
• Sponge or washcloth
• Soft-bristled cleaning brush (like an old toothbrush)
• Old towels

Step 1: Empty The Backpack And Brush Off Visible Dirt

Open all pockets and storage areas, take everything out, and leave pockets unzipped. Brush off dirt and buildup from the outside of the backpack and shake out any crumbs or debris inside. The inner and outer seams can also be vacuumed with a special attachment. Take off any hip belts, straps, or frames made of metal.

Step 2: Read The Care Instructions Label

In most cases, the backpack’s interior contains care labels. Observe the cleaning instructions. To prevent fading or damage if there isn’t a label, test the fabric first in a hidden location with about a teaspoon of detergent.

Step 3: Spot Treat Stains

Any visible stains should be gently cleaned with a soft-bristled brush or sponge and a teaspoon of detergent diluted in warm water.

Step 4: Gently Wash The Backpack In Lukewarm Water

A bathtub, large basin, or sink should be filled with warm water and a tablespoon of gentle detergent. Check the care label to see if the backpack can be submerged, then plunge it right into the water. Utilizing a sponge or washcloth, scrub the backpack’s interior and exterior. To clean the zippers of any buildup, scrub them with an old toothbrush.

Step 5: Rinse And Air Dry

If the backpack has been submerged, remove it from the dirty water and thoroughly rinse it with fresh, cool water. If you’ve only used a sponge or cloth without immersing it, rinse the backpack with clean water after soaking the sponge to get rid of any detergent residue. Hang the bag up to dry naturally after gently wiping away any excess moisture with an old towel.

Never dry a backpack or bookbag because the heat can ruin the fabric and add-ons as zipper pulls.

How To Wash A Backpack In The Washing Machine?

Basic nylon or canvas bookbags and school backpacks can typically be washed in a washing machine, but first, read the care label. You may be interested in Can You Put A Backpack In The Washer?

What you’ll need:

• Mild (fragrance- and additive-free) detergent
• Sponge or washcloth and soft-bristled cleaning brush (like an old toothbrush)
• Pillowcase or laundry bag
• Old towels

Step 1: Empty The Backpack And Brush Off Visible Dirt

Open all pockets and storage areas, take everything out, and leave pockets unzipped. Brush off dirt and buildup from the outside of the backpack and shake out any crumbs or debris inside. Along the inner and outer seams, you can also use a vacuum attachment. Hip belts, detachable straps, and metal frames should all be taken off.

Step 2: Read The Care Instructions Label

The care labels are typically found inside the backpack. Adhere to the cleaning guidelines. To prevent fading or damage if there isn’t a label, test the fabric first in a hidden location with about a teaspoon of detergent.

Step 3: Spot Treat Stains

Cleaning any visible stains requires using a soft-bristled brush or sponge along with a teaspoon of detergent and lukewarm water.

Step 4: Machine Wash With A Gentle Cycle

Trim any dangling threads near the zippers. To stop straps or zippers from getting tangled or caught in the washer, place the backpack inside a pillowcase or laundry bag. Run a gentle cycle after adding a small amount of mild detergent (fill the first line of the detergent cap).

Step 5: Air Dry

After the wash cycle is finished, gently pat away any remaining moisture with an old towel before hanging the bag up to air dry. Never dry a bag like a backpack or a bookbag because the heat can ruin the fabric and other components like zipper pulls.

How Should A Leather Backpack Be Cared For?

Empty your backpack before cleaning it, regardless of whether it is entirely made of leather or just has a leather bottom. Then, similar to how you’d clean a leather couch, use a leather cleaner and conditioner, like Weiman’s Leather Cleaner and Conditioner, or a little saddle soap, on a damp cloth to remove grime.

To get rid of any remaining residue, use a clean, damp cloth. Apply the leather conditioner sparingly to the leather of the backpack once it is completely dry to provide additional protection.

Treating Stains On A Backpack

If the backpack instructs against washing it, spot-clean a stain with a 1:1 mixture of detergent and water, being careful not to oversaturate the fabric. Use a white, spotless cloth dipped in water to rinse. Blot the cloth until no more soil or detergent is transferred, then let it air dry before putting the bag back together.

Care And Repairs

If holes and broken zippers allow the contents of the backpack to spill out, it is useless. If you can get to the tear, which is typically on a seam, patch interior pocket tears with a needle and thread. Restore the functionality of a damaged exterior mesh pocket by patching it with a similar piece of fabric.

You may be able to repair damaged straps depending on their design. If the strap passes through a buckle, you may need to cut the strap shorter and use an anvil to chisel out a new hole for the buckle.

Consult a shoe repair specialist who has the right tools to fix handbags if a strap, zipper, or buckle needs to be replaced and the fabric is too thick to sew through with a needle and thread. Before buying a new zipper, check to see if pliers can straighten out crooked slider teeth.

Storing A Backpack

Generally speaking, a backpack is built to withstand abuse. The best way to store your backpack every day is to hang it from a hook, set it down on a chair or table, or both. Make sure it’s clean and empty before putting it away if you need to store it for an extended period of time. When not in use, store it in a plastic container that is flat, dry, and clean, or put it on a shelf in your closet.

How Often Should I Wash My Backpack?

Thankfully, a backpack doesn’t need to be washed frequently. Unless it gets too dirty beyond normal wear and tears, cleaning once or twice a year should be sufficient.

Tips To Keep A Backpack Cleaner Longer

• If washing by hand, place the item in a large tub or sink and cover it with lukewarm water. Add about 1 tablespoon of laundry detergent. After letting it soak for 15 minutes, rinse the backpack in the water to get rid of the dirt. Rinse thoroughly after draining the soapy water. Avoid twisting or wringing the bag as this can harm the zippers and trim. Hang to air-dry.
• When hand-washing, roll the backpack into a jelly roll and gently press on it to remove excess water before letting it air dry to hasten the process without tearing the zippers and trim.
• Only wash a backpack once or twice a year if it is waterproof. The pack’s ability to repel water can be reduced by using too much detergent and washing. To replace the worn-out waterproof coating, spray on a waterproofing agent. Before spraying, make sure the backpack is thoroughly clean and dry.
• Don’t go to the dry cleaners with a backpack. Your bag’s shape and finish could be ruined by the dry cleaning procedure and its associated solvents, particularly if your bag is waterproof.