Backpacks are the most common type of bag owing to the fact that both children and adults use them. Not to mention you can wear backpacks for basically anything and anywhere. You need a bag to carry your school supplies? Backpack it is. You need a comfortable, easy-to-carry bag for work? Most people use backpacks.
This particularly convenient and versatile bag is a go-to for any adventure. But since you often use it outside, it often gets dirty. Sometimes, you wipe some grime off but with how busy you are, you don’t always get to do that. You still have to deal with stains and spills that are harder to get off.
What to do then? Don’t’ worry because you’re on the right page. Let us help you with some cleaning hacks to keep your backpack sparklingly clean. Check out the rest of the article!
Importance of Cleaning Your Backpack Regularly
It’s not surprising how popular backpacks are among other types of bags. It is super comfortable to wear after all. You can carry it on both shoulders, so it’s not as tiring to carry your stuff while also keeping it close to you. More importantly, backpacks have so much space to contain a variety of belongings, from pocketable items to your laptop and clothes.
With all these, it’s not hard to see why people would use their backpacks on any occasion, to the point of never having to wash them. The problem with that, of course, is the bags end up absorbing the dirt, grime, oil, and sweat from the user and the surroundings. After too much use, the bag is not only dirty but smelly as well.
A dirty and smelly backpack is not good, aesthetic and health-wise. This is why it’s important that you clean your backpack regularly. You need to wash them properly and consistently to help with hygiene and maintain how the bag looks. Doing so will also help extend the bag’s lifespan, allowing you to use your bag for years.
Cleaning your backpack regularly is important. Okay, check. Now the question is, how often do you need to wash it?
The recommendation is a basic clean every month for a backpack you use almost every day. Along with that, you should do a deep clean every six months for maintenance and hygiene. On the other hand, you should clean your backpack right away if you use it for hiking or similar activities where it quickly gets dirty.
Sometimes, you need to clean the backpack as soon as possible. An example is when you spill foods or drinks on the bag, when it shows signs of mold and mildew, and when it emits a bad odor for some reason. You want to handle these issues right away, or the bag’s quality becomes compromised.
How to Clean Your Backpack
Below are the steps and hacks to help you clean your backpack properly.
Cleaning Supplies
Before the actual cleaning, gather your supplies first. You will need:
- Gentle soap
- Cleaner suitable for the bag’s material
- Warm or cold water
- Cloth wipe
- Small brush
Once you have the supplies ready, you can begin preparing the bag for cleaning.
Prepare the Backpack
Before you do anything, make sure that you follow these tips first:
1. Empty the Backpack
Make sure you remove anything – paper, bills, loose debris, etc. – from the bag. There might be an important piece of paper in your bag that you accidentally soaked. If not, loose debris or similar items may get into the washer and damage it.
2. Check for Special Care instructions
Don’t forget to check your backpack for special care instructions. Proper cleaning depends on the bag’s materials and construction. You will usually find instructions regarding this on a tag inside the bag or product information that came with the backpack.
Spot Clean the Backpack
Once you have prepared your bag, the next step is to spot-clean it. This step is essential for new or relatively new spills and stains, helping you prevent them from becoming permanent marks on your bag. Here’s how you address stains, spills, and spots:
1. Identify the type of stain
First, find out what type of stain your bag has. Knowing the type of stain will help you pick the right cleaning agent or method to remove it effectively.
2. Choose the Right Stain Removal Method
As mentioned, different types of stains have different removal methods. The rule here is the same as when you spot-clean your clothes or furniture. Here are some of the stain removal methods to help you determine how you can spot-clean your bag:
- Mild soap – Use for general problem stains
- Specialized cleaner – A better option for stubborn stains like rust or oil
- Enzyme-based cleaners – Ideal for biological stains like sweat, poop, and vomit
- Cold water – Use to remove blood stains
- Salt or baking soda – Can get rid of grease stains
- Salt and hot water – Can remove red wine stains through the blotting technique
- Test the Solution on a Small, Discreet Part
Before you perform any spot-cleaning, it’s important that you check the cleaner’s ingredients first. This is to make sure that you choose a cleaning supply that will not damage the fabric or material of your bag. Don’t forget to read the specific instructions as well. Also, test the cleaner first on a discreet part of the bag where it won’t matter if it ends up impaired.
Once you are done spot-cleaning the bag, air dry it, or use a hair dryer to dry the part you cleaned. One tip to keep in mind is to not scratch or rub the areas with stains or spills. If you do, it can result in the color or material of the bag being damaged or scratched off. Simply dab or blot the stains gently or wipe them off with a gentle cleanser.
Hand Wash vs. Machine Wash
Should you hand wash or machine wash your backpack? The answer depends on your backpack, its materials and fabric, as well as the washing machine. We recommend handwashing or spot-cleaning your bag if it is delicate or expensive. With handwashing, you will be able to prevent damage or minimize anything that can ruin the bag’s material.
You can save time and effort cleaning your backpack by machine washing it. However, this might damage the bag, which is why it is best to use this washing method for more durable backpacks. Just ensure that you read about any special care instructions from the manufacturer before you put the bag in the washer.
Handwashing a Backpack
Follow the steps below to hand wash your backpack:
1. Start by preparing the backpack as mentioned above.
2. Once you have emptied the bag, take a cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush. Use any of the two to remove any debris or dirt still on the surface of the bag. Do this gently to avoid damaging the bag’s material.
3. Follow the spot-cleaning hacks we mentioned to deal with spots or stains. When you are done, rinse the part you washed and let dry.
4. Prepare the cleaning solution to wash the backpack’s body. Add warm water to a basin or bucket along with a small amount of gentle cleanser or mild laundry detergent. Mix the water and cleanser until the solution is sudsy. Only use a gentle cleanser to avoid ruining the material or hardware of the bag.
5. If the bag is too dirty, you may need to soak it into the mix. If not, you can simply dip the brush into the sudsy solution before brushing the bag. Focus on scrubbing the parts that are too dirty or damp, like the bottom. Also, don’t forget to brush the pockets, straps, and hardware.
6. When you are done scrubbing, be sure to rinse it carefully so that no detergent is left. Make sure you have washed the soap from all parts of the bag, from the pockets to the straps.
7. The last step is to dry the bag. It’s best to air dry it to prevent damage and shrinkage. Just hang the bag on a hanger or the clothesline somewhere under a shade but well-ventilated. Make sure it is completely dry before using it. We don’t recommend tumble drying.
Machine Washing a Backpack
Can you wash a backpack in the washing machine? We already established that, yes, you can clean some backpacks in the washer. It depends on the fabric the bag is made of and the washing machine itself. On that note, it’s important that you check if there are special care instructions for your backpack.
It should mention in the bag’s cleaning label if you can wash it in the washer, if not, you can always check the website of the backpack’s brand for cleaning instructions. For your information, canvas, nylon, and polyester backpacks are generally safe to wash in the washer. Still, don’t forget to check the bag’s label.
When washing the bag in the washer, ensure that it is solo Don’t wash it with a load of clothes. You should put the backpack inside a mesh laundry bag to keep the straps from getting caught inside the washer. Don’t attempt to clean a non-machine-washable bag in the washer or it will lose its shape.
How to Clean Leather Backpacks
One of the common materials used to make backpacks is leather. It is popular for its high durability and the fact it can last for a really long time. But even with these benefits, a leather backpack will still get dirty. Unlike canvas, polyester, and nylon bags, cleaning and maintaining leather bags is a little bit different.
Follow the steps below to clean your leather backpack:
- Again, prepare your bag by emptying it out of any item. Also remove buckles, clasps, or anything you don’t want to be cleaned.
2. Don’t forget your cleaning supplies. Common supplies you can use include:
- soft cloth (microfiber, flannel, towel, or t-shirt)
- gentle soap, leather cleaner, dish soap, or cleansing milk
- leather conditioner
3. Test a small part of the leather backpack to make sure the cleaner you use won’t damage it.
4. Begin cleaning the larger part of the bag using a mix of soap or cleaner and warm water. Just dip the cloth into the solution and softly scrub the bag in circular motions. Continue doing this until you have cleaned the whole backpack.
5. Next, clean the inside of the bag. Use soapy water to scrub the lining, being particularly gentle to avoid accidentally ruining it.
6. Once you have soaped up and wiped the bag, ensure that you remove any excess soapy water and dry both inside and out thoroughly. Let the backpack air dry so that the leather won’t weaken.
7. The last step is to treat the backpack. Take a new clean cloth with a leather conditioner and lather onto the bag. Leather isn’t waterproof and can sustain damage from the water used when you clean it. The leather conditioner should help prevent damage and extend the lifespan of your leather backpack.
How to Keep Your Backpack Smelling Fresh
Your backpack isn’t exactly dirty but an awful smell is coming off it. The problem is you don’t have time to wash it right now. Worse, you washed it but there’s still a lingering smell. Are there tricks you can use to deodorize your backpack? Well, you will be pleased to know there are various tricks you can do to get rid of the bad odor from your bag, such as:
Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the ingredients you can easily find at home that can get rid of most odors. It can also help you get rid of the nasty smell from your bag. All you need to do is add some of it along with drops of lemon into a spray bottle with a little bit of water. Spray the mixture to the parts of the smelly parts of the bag and leave for an hour or so. After that, go ahead and hand wash the backpack to get rid of the smell completely.
Cat Litter
Just like how great cat litter it in deodorizing your home, it is also great at removing smells from fabrics, including the fabric of your backpack. How to do this? It’s easy—just stuff your backpack inside a plastic container with cat litter. Ensure that the bag is covered well by the litter so it soaks the odor. When you get the bag later, it should be odor-free, if not smelling fresh.
Lysol
You know Lysol, one of the most common deodorizers and disinfectants out there. It can definitely help get rid of your bag’s bad odor. If you just need a quick fix for your smelly backpack, you can spritz some Lysol onto it. It can remove the contaminants that are causing the smell from your bag, and leave it fresh-smelling for the day.
Vodka
Do you know that vodka isn’t just for a good time? It is also great at getting rid of nasty odors from clothes, even bags. So if your backpack isn’t smelling good right now and you don’t have a cleaning supply ready, the vodka in your cupboard will do in a pinch. Just spray some of it all over your bag, wait until it’s absorbed then air dry. Now you have an odor-free backpack for the day.
Fragranced Fabric Softener
Want your bag to smell really great when you wash it? You can just add fragranced fabric softener when you rinse it. Sometimes, soapy water is enough to make any fabric smelling good, but why stop there? You can make it even better by using fabric softener, which leaves your bag soft to the touch as well.
Tips to Keep Your Backpack Clean
Now you know how to clean your backpack properly. Are there other cleaning tips you should know? Well, here are some more recommendations on how to clean your backpack and extend its lifespan.
- Alternate using your backpacks to avoid getting too dirty right away.
- Clean your backpack regularly based on how often you use it.
- Spot clean any stains or spots as soon as possible to prevent them from sticking.
- Remove any items inside the bag before storing it.
- Don’t hang your backpack on anything, especially if there are still things inside it. Doing so can weaken the structure or shape of the bag.
- Make sure you put the bag on a clean surface to minimize it getting dirty.
- Don’t store your bag in closed spaces or it can cause dust and mold to accumulate.
- Hot water can remove the bag’s protective coating, so only use warm water. For the same reason, use only a soft cloth, brush, or sponge when washing your bag.
- Direct sunlight can degrade the bag’s fabric, so don’t dry your backpack near any heat source.
- Leather bags should be stored far away from moisture. To be safe, just store your backpack in the included dust bag.
- Clean the bag’s hardware (buckles and zippers) and straps regularly to ensure they are working properly. If the zippers aren’t working well, you can lubricate it.
Conclusion
Cleaning your backpack is essential for hygiene and aesthetics. No way you are comfortable going about your day carrying a smelly, dirty backpack. Good thing cleaning your bag is easy enough with some soap, warm water, a soft-bristled brush, and a washcloth.
You can spot-clean, hand wash or machine wash the bag, just make sure to read the special care instructions from the manufacturer. Enjoy a sparklingly clean and fragrant smelling backpack with the cleaning tips above!
If you want to know more about backpacks or have questions about backpack wholesale custom, please contact the Bajrne bag factory.
