Do white backpacks get dirty easily?

Anything white is harder to keep clean. This is accentuated when it is something you will carry around and potentially set down on floors and other places. And yet, manufacturers keep making white backpacks and people keep buying them for themselves and their kids. White backpacks get dirty much quicker than any other color. It is likely that you will come back with a dirty backpack on your first day of using it. However, some people get a white backpack just so they can easily get that ‘dirty white backpack’ look. Some brands even sell backpacks in dirty white! Let’s dive into why white backpacks get dirty easily and how to keep your white backpack clean.

Are white backpacks harder to keep clean?

It’s always a bummer when your new backpack starts to turn gray within days of use. The truth is that all colors show dirt, but whites are especially prone to turning gray much more easily than other colors because there is no color pigment to hide the dirt. Dirt will always show up on white if it has a lot of contact with anything, which is an issue for anyone with a backpack, not just kids. I admit white backpacks look stunning. But if you haven’t bought a white backpack and you’re just thinking about it, I recommend you don’t buy white unless you want to clean it regularly (as in at least once a week) or accept that it will look dingy and dirty no matter how new it is. This North Face backpack looks amazing:

Check it out on Amazon

How do I keep my white backpack clean?

How you clean your white backpack depends on what kind of material it is made of. Most backpacks are made of plastic (polyester or nylon) but some are canvas or leather.

How to clean white polyester/ nylon backpacks

These backpacks are the easiest to clean and keep clean. If you have to buy a white backpack for yourself or your child, buy a polyester one. Some polyester backpacks can be machine-washed. I don’t usually recommend this but if you must, put it in a laundry bag and use a gentle cycle. Most of the time, for longevity’s sake, it’s safer to wash the backpack by hand. Submerge the backpack in warm soapy water and use a soft brush for dirty spots. Rinse it out with clean water (doesn’t matter if its cold or warm water) and let it air dry. Remember not to use hot water and not to wring it out as you can cause fabric damage or wrinkles. Check out this cool white kid’s backpack:

Check it out on Amazon

How to clean white canvas backpacks

Canvas fabrics are sturdy and durable but white canvas backpacks are quite vulnerable to dirt. Wash your canvas backpack by hand in cool water. Never put it in a washing machine (unless you have a plain white canvas backpack) as the colors might run. Soak the backpack in cool soapy water and use a cloth or soft scrubbing brush for the dirtier parts. Rinse with clean water and line-dry. You can wring out a canvas backpack to remove excess water but make sure you reshape it while wet so it retains its shape. There is just something about white backpacks, even canvas ones:

Check it out on Amazon

How to clean white leather backpacks

The trick to keeping white leather backpacks clean is to first pre-treat it with a leather stain repellant before you even take it out of the house. It’s not going to entirely dirt-proof it but it will help keep it looking white and clean for longer. You should also regularly wipe the backpack down with a damp soft microfiber cloth dipped in mild soap solution. This is so the dirt doesn’t build up so much that you have to really scrub at it. You can even use a mild face cleanser for the job. Just remember to go over the backpack with a dry microfiber cloth after the wet wipe-down so no water is left standing on the leather surface. Conditioning with leather care balsam every few months will keep the backpack moisturized and oiled so it continues to look good. Never use vinegar, strong cleaners, bleach or ammonia-based cleaners as they can damage the leather. White leather backpacks make you the queen of luxury:

Check it out on Amazon

How do you get stains out of white backpacks?

Doing regular maintenance cleaning is one thing. Trying to get ink, grease marks and grass stains out of a white backpack is another. Fear not, here are some tips for getting stains out of white backpacks:

White polyester backpacks

The easiest way to get rid of all sorts of stains is to use a stain remover. Spray it on the stain, leave it for a few minutes and wipe it off. If you don’t have a stain remover, you can also rub liquid laundry detergent on the stain and let it sit for 20 minutes before washing off. For oil stains, mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar and rub on the stain before washing.

Check it out on Amazon

White canvas backpacks

You can use similar methods as above but you need to be more careful that you don’t cause fabric damage or discoloration. Rub the stain remover or liquid detergent on a small spot inside the backpack. After a few minutes, if there is no discolouration or bleeding, you can use it on the stain. Then, dab at the stain with a damp cloth. Never scrub because you can potentially rub the stain in further and also cause fabric damage.

White leather backpack

The safest way to clean a stain on a white leather backpack is to use a professional leather cleaning product. It may cost more than home remedies but it is totally worth it as it’s so efficient and easy to use. If you don’t have one, for ink stains, you can use rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. Dab it on and rub the area gently in a circular motion. Then wipe it off with a dry clean cloth. Please test the alcohol or polish remover on a small discrete area first to check for discoloration. For oil or grease stains, you can use baby powder, cornstarch or baking soda. Rub the powder over the grease spot and leave for a few hours before dusting it off. You could also try a non-gel toothpaste. Moisten the stain, rub a bit of toothpaste on and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub gently.

Check it out on Amazon

Is white a good backpack color?

White is a great color for a backpack. When maintained well, white backpacks stand out like no other backpack does. Not all companies offer them but brands like North Face and Jansport have a range of awesome-looking white backpacks.

Is white a good backpack color for kids?

Unfortunately, the downside to getting a kid a white backpack is that it gets dirty and stained so easily. And kids will be kids. They won’t be interested in keeping their backpack clean at school. They would be more interested in throwing their backpack on the ground the moment they get there to go kick a ball. A good compromise might be to get a white polyester backpack with a colorful pictures or patterns on it. This will detract from the white and allow you to stretch out backpack cleaning days.

Check it out on Amazon

You might be interested in learning how to keep your child’s backpack clean.

To wrap up

White backpacks are stunning and eye-catching. But they get dirty so easily and is not the best color for a kid’s backpack. However, if you can’t get out of buying one for your child, at least now you know how to take care of it. Check out my article on what color backpack to buy for your child.