Washing a backpack isn’t terribly difficult, and you should have just about everything you need in your home already:

• Washing machine or a container that’s larger than the backpack
• Water
• Laundry Detergent
• Disinfectant Wipes
• Stain Remover (if necessary)
• Washcloth (if necessary)

Once you’ve got everything together, you’re ready to get started! If you plan to use a washing machine, head to the next section. If you plan to wash by hand in a tub, you can skip ahead to the section after it.

 

Can you wash a backpack in the washing machine? Absolutely! It shouldn’t be all that different from the typical laundering process you’re already used to. So grab your favorite detergent—here’s how to wash a backpack in the washer.

 

STEP 1: READ THE CARE INSTRUCTIONS

If the backpack is made with a particular material or dye, it may only be suitable for hand-washing (or no washing at all), so read the instructions carefully before proceeding.

STEP 2: REMOVE EVERYTHING FROM THE BACKPACK

If your child loves to read or carry around their favorite things, they may have lots of items in their backpack, so take care to remove it all first. Check and then double-check every pocket. Once you’ve removed everything, turn the backpack upside down and shake any crumbs and dirt into a trash can.

STEP 3: TAKE OFF ANY REMOVABLE PARTS

If the backpack has removable parts like straps or keychains, take them off now and clean them according to the care instructions.

STEP 4: TREAT STAINS

From here, the process is similar to washing stuffed animals. Treat any stains with a store-bought stain solution or make your own by combining one part dish soap with two parts hydrogen peroxide.

STEP 5: PLACE THE BACKPACK IN THE WASHING MACHINE

If the backpack’s care instructions indicate that it can go in the washing machine, use a gentle cycle with cold water and detergent. Though it’s not mandatory, you may want to put your backpack in a garment bag first to avoid any snagging.

STEP 6: DISINFECT THE BACKPACK (OPTIONAL)

Backpacks used for carrying gym clothes, sports uniforms or other potentially germy items may require an extra wipe-down using disinfectant wipes.

STEP 7: HANG THE BACKPACK TO DRY

Never put a backpack in the dryer. Instead, hang it upside down to dry. Wait until it’s completely devoid of moisture before packing or using it.

Need to know how to clean a backpack without a washing machine? If the bag is made of a sensitive material or uses dyes that could fade in a wash cycle, you can wash it by hand. Here’s how.

 

STEP 1: FOLLOW STEPS 1 THROUGH 4 ABOVE

The cleaning process starts exactly the same way whether you’re washing by machine or by hand. Begin by referring to the previous section’s first four steps:

• Remove everything from the backpack
• Read the care instructions
• Remove any removable parts
• Treat stains

Once you’ve prepared the bag for hand-washing, you can proceed to the next steps.

STEP 2: FILL YOUR CONTAINER OF CHOICE

Fill a bathtub, sink, bucket, basin or other large container with a gentle detergent and warm water. If the care instructions suggest cold or hot water, defer to that recommendation.

STEP 3: SOAK THE BACKPACK

Swish the soapy water around to ensure the detergent has been evenly diluted. Then, plunge the bag into the water and work the water into the fabric with your hands to ensure it penetrates the material. Let the backpack soak for half an hour, covering it with a heavy item like a bowl or plate if necessary to ensure it stays submerged.

STEP 4: DRAIN & RINSE

From here, the process is similar to washing stuffed animals. Treat any stains with a store-bought stain solution or make your own by combining one part dish soap with two parts hydrogen peroxide.

STEP 5: PLACE THE BACKPACK IN THE WASHING MACHINE

After half an hour, drain the soapy water or dump it into your lawn or garden if the detergent is garden-safe. Rinse the bag with cold water to rid it of excess soap and then do the same with the container. Refill the container with cold water and dip the bag back in several times until the run-off appears to be clear when you remove the bag.

STEP 6: DISINFECT THE BACKPACK (OPTIONAL)

Backpacks used for carrying gym clothes, sports uniforms or other potentially germy items may require an extra wipe-down using disinfectant wipes.

STEP 5: REFER TO STEPS 6 & 7 IN THE LAST SECTION

Once the backpack has been rinsed, see our instructions in the last section on how to:

• Disinfect the backpack (optional)
• Hang the backpack to dry

And that’s it! Once the backpack is completely dry, it’s ready for action.

If your backpack says “do not wash,” it’s best to heed the advice. It’s likely made of fabric or dyes that don’t do well if saturated. Instead, mix a solution of one part water to one part gentle detergent, dampen a rag with it and gently blot the backpack. You can also spray it lightly with a disinfecting solution, if you’d like. To wash backpack wheels on a rolling backpack, use the same solution