How to keep your toddler’s backpack clean

We don’t wear white anymore. We carry wet wipes with us everywhere. We even had to upgrade our fabric couch to a leather one. All thanks to Claire and Tommy’s slobber, messy eating and grubby fingers. Can you imagine the state of their backpacks if you have no way of cleaning it? Luckily, there is plenty you can do to keep your toddler’s bag clean.

First, buy a backpack that is ‘cleanable’

Most toddler backpacks are washable for good reason. It’s still always good to check the care label. Personalized backpacks are OK but don’t buy a backpack that can’t be washed. Washable backpacks are worth caring for. Check out other features to look out for when buying a toddler backpack. 

Pre-washing steps are a lifesaver

Clean out the inside

Before you wash the backpack:

• Open up every compartment and empty the bag out.
• Pull out all odds and ends to be sure everything is out.
• Shake upside down to remove crumbs, pencil leads and sand. Yes, sand.
• Check for any spills and wipe out with a soft, damp cloth.
• Remove name tags and keychains.
• Pull out removable padding.
• Some bags have a metal frame that can be removed before washing.

Pre-treating

Pre-treat stains with your stain remover of choice. I like this one:

Check it out on Amazon

Don’t use bleach as it may damage the fabric. If you have any stains or areas with caked-on dirt, gently brush it away with a nylon brush to remove any loose debris before pre-treating the area.

Can you soak a backpack?

If the backpack is really dirty, soak it for a few hours in soapy water. Swish the soapy water around the bag to loosen dirt, then submerge it for a few hours. Rinse the backpack in clean water and drain the soapy water to avoid stains on the fabric.

How do you wash a backpack without ruining it?

Are backpacks safe to put in the washing machine?

Check the care label. If it says yes, you’re set. In general, most toddler backpacks can be washed in a machine. Use warm or cold water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Exceptions are backpacks with a hard frame and  ones with PU coating. The PU will flake and you’ll end up with a backpack that looks like it has leprosy. If your child’s backpack has sparkles or glitter, those ones are better hand-washed too. If you’ve determined that your toddler’s backpack is safe for your washing machine:

• Open all zippers and snip any loose threads. This is especially important if you have a water-resistant toddler backpack.
• Fasten all straps and Velcro.
• Make sure nothing can get snagged when washing.
• Put the backpack into a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag to protect the straps of the backpack from knocking around inside the machine and getting more worn out.
• Use a kid-safe mild detergent like this one.
• You can add a ½ cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle if you want to remove any bad smells.
• Set to a delicate wash or gentle cycle.
• Use cold water to preserve the color of the backpack.

Keep in mind, no matter how gentle your washing machine is, it will wear the backpack down if you machine-wash regularly.

Hand-washing, my favorite job in the whole world (not!)

Unfortunately, some backpacks are just not safe for the machine. You can still pre-treat and soak it beforehand. This will reduce the elbow grease needed to hand-wash. Then:

• Find a large pail or bucket
• Fill it with warm water
• You can use dish liquid or a mild laundry detergent
• Scrub the inside of the bag with a soft, nylon brush.
• You can also use a toothbrush or sponge to get into the hard-to-reach corners.
• To avoid snagging, use a sponge for any mesh pockets in the bag.
• Be careful not to scrub too hard or for too long, as this can cause irreparable harm.
• Thoroughly rinse out the backpack with clean water to remove detergent residue.
• Pat down the bag with a dry towel to remove more water before hanging to dry.

How do I dry a backpack?

How long does it take for a backpack to air-dry?

Hanging the backpack out in the sun is the best way to dry it out and get rid of any lingering bad smell. If you machine-washed, remove the backpack promptly once the cycle is done and allow to hang dry fully before use. If you hand-washed, pat it down with a dry towel to remove as much water as possible. This will help it dry quicker. On a sunny day, an afternoon of direct sunlight will dry the backpack out within hours. On overcast days, it might take a day or two. Help it along by blowing a fan on it at night.

Do backpacks shrink in the dryer?

Avoid the dryer like a plaque because the heat can shrink your child’s backpack and ruin the fabric and zippers.

How to keep your toddler’s backpack clean in between washes

While it’s ideal to wash your toddler’s backpack regularly, let’s face it. Who has the time? That’s why prevention is better than cure when it comes to keeping your toddler’s backpack fresh and clean in between washes.

Do regular ‘backpack-keeping’

• Only put in snacks that won’t spill out of their packaging.
• Never put water bottles and juice boxes in the main compartment. This is why a side mesh pocket is so handy.
• Clean out your toddler’s backpack every time they come home from day care. It’s amazing (and scary) what you can find in them.
• Give it a gentle wipe with a damp cloth or sponge to remove any dirt that may have accumulated on the surface of your child’s pack.
• Spot-clean whenever you can.
• Keep the bag smelling fresh by giving it a regular deodorizer spritz.

How can I keep my kid’s backpack from smelling bad?

Backpacks that are well-loved and well-used starts carrying unwanted smells. It comes with the job. They deserve some sun and fresh air sometimes too!

• Letting the fabric air out for a day or two sometimes gets rid of funky scents.
• Keep sweaty clothes and dirty shoes in zippered bottom pockets away from the main compartment.
• Removing uneaten food and dirty clothes at the end of the day
• In fact, keep lunch boxes out in the first place. Clip them to loops instead of tucking them away inside

How to deodorize a backpack without washing it

• Crumple up several pieces of newspaper spritzed with water and vanilla extract. Leave the newspaper in the main compartment of the bag for a few hours to remove smells.
• Pour a quarter cup of baking soda in the backpack. Add a few drops of essential oil. Leave the bag open with the baking soda in it for half a day then overturn it and shake all the powder out.
• If there is a bigger gap between uses, slip in a fabric softener or dryer sheet to absorb odors and keep it smelling fresh.

How do you disinfect a backpack?

If your toddler’s backpack got into some serious trouble, or it’s been travelling on a plane, you might need to disinfect it. Skip the chlorine bleach. Use these instead:

• Disinfectant sprays
• Disinfectant wipes

How do I remove melted candy from a backpack?

• Scrape away as much candy as you can first.
• Then you can go to one of two extremes: Hot-air blow dryer or freezer.
• Hold a blow dryer on hot-setting over the candy mess until it liquefies then use a butter knife to scrape it away.
• Or stick the backpack in the freezer. Once the candy is frozen, use dull blade to scrape it off.

To wrap up

There are plenty of ways to keep your toddler’s backpack clean and hygienic. For the most part, if you do regular ‘backpack-keeping’, you’ll find that it keeps the bags cleaner for longer, avoiding any need for machine or hand-washing.