Have you ever put a backpack in the washing machine to clean it? Not many people want to try this, but if you are looking for an excellent way to get out of your camping and hiking chores, you should give it a shot. There are many good reasons to do this. First, you won’t have to buy another backpack, saving you a lot of time.
Backpacks might need to be washed by hand because they are so much extra material. If one of the side straps is wavy and the other strap isn’t smooth, there could be something on it that you can’t get off without a lot of work. When you wash a backpack in the washing machine, you get rid of the stuff on the inside. It is what makes it so hard to clean.
Step 1: Before washing your backpack, ensure you’ve read the notes and paid close attention to the care label.
Each backpack will have various care labels. Check the backpack’s care label to find out how to wash it properly and keep it from getting damaged. Please follow the care instructions on the designation of the bag every time you wash a backpack to ensure you don’t hurt it.
If there is no label, test the cloth with a quarter teaspoon of detergent in an inconspicuous place to ensure it does not fade or get damaged. Care labels are most likely in the main zippered compartment inside the backpack.
Backpack care labels often instruct you to clean and dry the bag to ensure that it lasts as long as feasible.
Take note of specific care advice on the backpack’s label, such as “Do not wash in washing machines” or “Do not use bleach or dryer.” In this manner, you can prevent such items while washing the backpacks.
Step 2: Remove every item from the pack before washing it.
Before you wash your backpack, you have to take out everything in it. If you don’t, the items might fade and stick to the bag, hurting it.
First, we take everything out of every pocket, open every compartment, and don’t zip up the bags.
Then, we brush away any dirt or buildup on the outside of the bag and shake it to eliminate any crumbs or dirt. You can also wash the inside and outside seams with a vacuum attachment.
Remove any metal frames, straps that it can take off, side compression straps, chest belts, and hip belts.
Next, we cut off loose threads or fibres that frayed where the zippers were. This ensures that your backpack is clean and that the zippers don’t get caught or stuck.
Step 3: Select a washing procedure for various backpack materials.
After reading the care label and ensuring you know what it says, the next important step is to choose the right way to wash a backpack, such as by machine or hand.
If your backpack doesn’t have a maintenance label or the label is hard to read, you should choose the right way to clean it based on the material 100% nylon (polyester), cotton, nonwoven, and lining fabric.
All-nylon (polyester) fabric is hard to wrinkle, doesn’t shrink or stretch when washed, and we can clean it by hand or machine.
Step 4: Choose a detergent
Put a small amount of soap into the water. You should use a mild detergent with no dyes, scents, or harsh chemicals. This is because harsh chemicals can hurt the fabric of your backpack by making the waterproofing layers less effective, and stains and fragrances can irritate your skin.
Fabric made of 100% nylon or polyester is hard to fade, but you shouldn’t use a detergent that is too strong. For other fabric backpacks, you should use gentle detergents, like Woolite bleach for fabrics, to clean them. And you shouldn’t do it all the time!
Don’t worry if you find mould or greasy food on your bag’s surface when you wash a backpack. To get rid of them, you only need to do one of the following four things:
All you need is a pure white cloth soaked in green tea solution, which you then wipe down until the filth is gone. Finally, rinse it well with cold water and leave it aside to dry.
Vinegar is a good cleaner that can also eliminate mould and grease.
Soak the clean cotton towel in vinegar, then brush away the mould until it’s all gone. Rinse the towel with cold water and let it dry.
This bleach, also known as diluted alcohol, kills mould and bacteria well. Like other detergents, you need to use a clean cotton towel. Then, put the towel in a bowl of alcohol. Last, use clean water to wash and dry the pack.
First, sprinkle baking soda over the mould stains, wait a few minutes, and then wipe it off with a cotton cloth. After that, you should clean and dry the backpack with clean water. Because of this, the moulds have gone away.
Step 5: Turn the backpack inside or store it in a laundry sack/pillowcase before washing.
With the pillowcase and laundry bag, the straps and zippers won’t get caught in the machine and damage the bag or the engine.
The straps and designs won’t fade or hurt the fabric if you do this.
Step 6: The moment has come to begin cleaning the backpack!
You start by putting the backpack in the washer. It depends on how many bags you’re washing. If you’re only washing one bag, put 1–2 tablespoons of gentle detergent in the machine.
Next, set the washing machine to a gentle cycle, so the fabric doesn’t get too stretched out and damage the backpack. When you wash a backpack, you should use cold water. It will keep your bag from getting faded and getting bigger.
Also, while washing the backpack, you should check every so often to see if it’s stuck in one place in the washing machine. If it is, you’ll need to make adjustments.
If you like our suggestions, look at Best Backpacks For Mountaineering.
How do you properly dry out a backpack?
After the machine has finished washing the backpack, take it out and, if necessary, remove the laundry bag or pillowcase. If you pass the gear by hand, rinse it well before drying it.
If you use a dryer to dry your garments, you should know that certain fabrics can be used with a dryer while others cannot.
Backpacks made of nylon fabric may be dried directly in the sun since nylon fabric does not lose its properties when exposed to sunlight. Furthermore, since this fabric is resistant to high temperatures (160 degrees), it may dry a nylon backpack in a dryer.
Furthermore, when exposed to the sun during times of extreme heat, these materials do not fare well.
After washing, hang the backpacks to dry in a cool, dry place. Furthermore, while drying the gear, flip it upside down and open all the compartments. Then attach it to the bag strap and hang it up.
How Frequently Should I Wash A Backpack?
Your backpack serves as a tool. It protects your possessions while travelling, but they may also become soiled. Washing your bag is critical for keeping it clean and preventing bacteria growth. The short answer is that it depends. The frequency of washing your pack may vary depending on the material and where you are travelling.
Backpacks are something we use every day. We use them at school, work, and in our free time. Because of this, we must wash our backpacks daily to keep them clean.
When Do I Need To Wash A Backpack?
Even if your backpack doesn’t look dirty, you should wash it at least once a year. If you want to clean your dirty bag, you should do it as soon as possible. You don’t want any bacteria or mould to grow in the fibers. We wash nylon and polyester backpacks a lot, but we wash leather backpacks only a few times a year. If you are going to a hot or humid place, you might want to wash a backpack more often.
