How to Wash a Backpack

Start by emptying the backpack fully. Feel into the corners of pockets for any small wrappers or change that may remain. If there is a lot of dust or debris in the pockets, use a vacuum hose to clean them out. Look inside the main bag area or pockets for a tag that lists the optimal washing instructions for your particular pack.

1. Unzip all zippers on the pack, as they could get damaged in the wash if zipped.
2. Check that all buckles are fastened and straps are secure.
3. If you have a top load washing machine, put the backpack in a laundry bag or pillowcase to ensure the straps don’t get tangled on the agitation bar.
4. If your pack has an internal frame, remove it. The frame could bend or become damaged in the washing machine, as well as tear the fabric.
5. Carefully look over the pack, checking for any stains, tears, or fraying fabric. If you find any fraying spots, skip to the instructions for hand washing a backpack, as machine washing will cause the fabric to fray further.
6. Remove or pretreat any stains.
7. Wash the bag using cold water and a gentle cycle setting. If the backpack is really big, take it to a laundromat where they have larger, commercial-size washers, or manually wash it in a bathtub by following the instructions below.
8. Put the backpack on a hanger and hang it on a shower rod to dry.

1. Fill a bucket or the bathtub with enough water to cover the backpack.
2. Pour some laundry detergent into the water and swirl your hand around to mix it.
3. If your backpack has an internal frame, it would be best to remove it. Although hand washing is a delicate enough process that the frame probably won’t rip the fabric, the metal could rust from excessive water exposure.
4. Put the backpack in the water and gently shake it to move the water over the fabric.
5. If there are any particularly dirty areas, scrub them clean with an old toothbrush.
6. Rinse the pack well in the shower.
7. Put the backpack on a hanger and hang it on the shower rod to air dry.

Although a dishwasher can be useful for washing some unusual household items like shoes or baseball caps, it should not be used for a backpack. The temperature of a dishwasher is much higher than a washing machine, which could damage the fabric or cause dyes to bleed. Plus, dishwashers have a spinning bar that could easily catch on the straps of the bag, damaging both the backpack and possibly also the machine. If you want to give it a try, be sure to put the bag inside a pillowcase or a laundry bag that does not have a drawstring. If your bag can fit on the top shelf, that would be best. Use a non-bleach dishwasher detergent and take the pack out before the dry cycle starts. Hang the bag on a shower rod with a hanger to air dry.

Polyester is an extremely versatile fabric, but tends to be hardy regardless of whether it is thick or thin. Unless your backpack has any special decorations, such as studs or leather trim, it can safely be washed in a washing machine using cold water and the gentle cycle. However, polyester is also known to hold body odor well, so give your bag the sniff test and if needed, treat the back of the bag or the straps with the method for Washing Backpack Straps.

Canvas is a durable material that can withstand the washing machine. It can even tolerate warm water, though this could cause dyes to run or stains to set. Canvas backpacks can be tumble dried on low briefly to wick out the majority of the moisture, then allowed to air dry fully.

It is important to wash a cotton backpack with cold water as it is prone to shrinking. Even if the tag on your backpack says that it can tolerate hot or warm water, it would be better to wash it with cold. Cotton backpacks can be tumble dried on low briefly to wick out the majority of the moisture, then allowed to air dry fully.

Hemp fabric is usually safe to machine wash with warm water. In fact, according to Hemp Traders, it can be laundered frequently and becomes softer with each wash. A hemp backpack can take a bit longer to dry than some synthetic fabrics, but still air dries easily and is safe to tumble dry on low if preferred.

Denim is prone to bleeding, so if you are using a pillowcase to hold your jean backpack during a wash, be sure to use one that you don’t mind risking. Denim will also take longer to dry than most other fabrics, so allowing it to tumble dry on low briefly before hanging it up to air dry can help to speed the drying time, but don’t allow it to dry fully in the dryer or it might shrink.

The straps on a backpack often gather the most sweat and dirt of any area on the bag. They can be cleaned on their own regularly without giving the bag a full wash, which can cause most fabrics to wear over time.

1. Mix a small amount of dish liquid or mild shampoo with water, then agitate the water to create suds.
2. Use a toothbrush or nailbrush to skim the suds off the water, then scrub the straps with the brush.
3. Rinse the straps under a faucet or by sponging them with a small amount of water. If your straps have foam inside, try not to soak them completely or they will take longer to dry.
4. Hang the bag up to allow the straps to air dry.

Unless otherwise stated on your care label, backpacks with a leather bottom or trim should only be spot cleaned on the fabric portions to avoid soaking the leather.

1. Mix a small amount of dish liquid or laundry detergent with water, then agitate the water to create suds.
2. Use a toothbrush or nailbrush to skim the suds off the surface of the water.
3. Scrub any dirty spots on the bag clean.
4. Sponge the area with water to rinse it.
5. Pat the fabric dry as much as possible, then allow it to air dry.
6. Wash the leather parts by following the instructions in our guide How to Clean Leather.

Metal studs add a decorative style to a backpack, but they also come with their own care requirements. It is best to avoid getting the metal wet since it can rust, so these backpacks should only be spot cleaned.

1. Mix a small amount of dish liquid or laundry detergent with water, then agitate the water to create suds.
2. Use a toothbrush or nailbrush to skim the suds off the surface of the water.
3. Scrub any dirty spots on the bag clean.
4. Sponge the area with water to rinse it.
5. Pat the fabric dry.
6. Gently polish the studs with a soft dry cloth.

1. Take the pack outside.
2. Brush off the mold with a disposable cloth, trying not to get any of the mold dust or spores on the rest of the backpack.
3. Sponge the area where the mold was located with rubbing alcohol.
4. Sponge the area with water to rinse it.
5. Use a disposable cloth to pat the area dry.
6. Let the pack dry in the sun. Sunlight will help to kill any mold spores that may remain on the bag.

If you suspect your backpack has been exposed to bedbugs, lice, or other pests, put it in a plastic garbage bag. Tie the top of the bag in a knot (don’t use drawstrings, tie the actual plastic). Leave the bag tied for a couple weeks, or leave it in a hot car during the summer for a couple days. Once the bugs have been killed, you can wash the bag as usual.

• To protect your backpack from getting wet in the rain, put it inside a trash bag and cut holes in the trash bag to access the straps and pockets of the backpack.
• If the zipper is becoming stubborn, spray some WD-40 onto a piece of plastic, then use a cloth or paintbrush to spread it over the zipper to avoid over-spraying it onto the surrounding fabric.

• The Cleaning Encyclopedia by Don Aslett
• Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson
• Talking Dirty Laundry with the Queen of Clean by Linda Cobb
• Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook by Martha Stewart
• Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic by Joey Green
• Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest