Washing school bags: Methods at a glance

How to properly wash a school bag: This is how it stays clean and in top shape!

A school bag accompanies your child every day: It is not only a practical tool but also a loyal companion in school life. Therefore, it is inevitable that over time dirt, crumbs, and stains accumulate. A clean school bag or backpack is not only more hygienic but also lasts longer and looks better. The holidays or a long weekend offer the perfect opportunity for you to wash your child's school bag. But how should you go about it? Whether by hand washing, in the dishwasher, or perhaps even in the washing machine – we will show you which method is suitable when and what to pay attention to during cleaning and care so that the school bag looks like new without being damaged. 

Preparation before washing

Regardless of whether before hand cleaning or washing in the dishwasher or washing machine: Before you start cleaning the school bag, thorough preparation is crucial.

The following three steps should be addressed:

Empty the school bag:

Take out all books, notebooks, and pencil cases and also check small compartments and pockets for additional school accessories. 

Check materials and manufacturer's care instructions:

You can often find these on a small label inside the school bag and learn there whether the bag is machine washable or if hand washing is recommended. 

Remove coarse dirt:

To remove dust, sand, or crumbs, you can shake out the bag, brush it, and, if necessary, clean hard-to-reach places with a narrow vacuum attachment.

Hand washing: The gentle method

Hand washing is a safe and gentle cleaning method. If your child's school bag is made of delicate materials or features applications and reflective elements, hand washing is the best choice. By gently cleaning by hand, you avoid the bag losing its shape or special details.

Step-by-step guide for hand washing

And this is how hand cleaning works: 

1. Prepare the cleaning area: Place the bag in a tub, shower, sink, or a large bucket and rinse the bag with warm water. 

2. Use gentle cleaning agents: Put a little mild detergent or dish soap on a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid aggressive cleaners, bleach, or alcohol, as these could damage the material of the bag. 

3. Gently clean: Wipe the backpack with a cloth or sponge from the inside and outside. For particularly dirty spots, a sponge with a scrubbing surface is ideal for easy scrubbing.

4. Rinse: Finally, rinse the school bag thoroughly with clear, cold water to remove all soap residues. 

5. Dry properly: Hang the backpack upside down in a warm place and open all compartments so that the school bag can dry completely. 

6. Final impregnation: Once the school bag is completely dry, you can treat it with an impregnation agent or spray (against rain). 
   

Washing the school bag in the dishwasher

Can you wash the school bag or the school backpack in the dishwasher at all? What initially sounds unusual works wonderfully with certain school bags. With this method, the school bag is thoroughly cleaned and is less labor-intensive compared to hand cleaning. However, not all backpacks are suitable for the dishwasher.

In addition to the backpack, you can of course also clean smaller school accessories, such as pencil cases, by hand. A damp cloth and some detergent are sufficient as cleaning agents.

Before the wash cycle, you should therefore check whether the following conditions are met: 

• The backpack has a sturdy body .
• The bags are not made of felt or leather, but of plastic.
• There are no cardboard parts present.
• Your dishwasher has a short or cold wash program that can be set to a maximum of 55 degrees Celsius.

Step-by-step guide for cleaning in the dishwasher

If your child's backpack meets all the requirements, you should approach washing it in the dishwasher as follows:

1. Prepare the dishwasher: Remove all dishes and ensure that no food residues remain in the machine that could dirty the school bag. Also, remove unnecessary accessories, such as the cutlery basket, from the machine. 

2. Place the backpack correctly: Now place the open school bag upside down in the bottom compartment of the dishwasher. 

3. Select cleaning program: Choose a short or cold wash program that has a maximum of 55 degrees Celsius – preferably less.
   

And here’s the tip: After rinsing, you can let the school backpack dry thoroughly just like after hand washing and impregnate it for care after it is completely dry.

Washing the school backpack in the washing machine

If you want to wash the backpack in the washing machine, great caution is advised. Some manufacturers generally advise against washing their models in the washing machine. This is because protective coatings can be damaged there, and in addition, the material is exposed to strong friction. For this reason, you should primarily research the manufacturers' specifications before washing.

Washing in the washing machine is – if at all – only conceivable under these conditions:

• The body of the school backpack is flexible and not shape-stable.
  
• The backpack is made not of leather, but of washable materials, e.g., cotton.
• A gentle wash cycle at 20–30 degrees Celsius is recommended for this type of cleaning.

Conclusion: How can you clean a school backpack?

To make your child's school backpack shine in bright colors and youthful freshness again, you have the following options:

• Hand washing: This is the gentlest method and always the first and safest choice for sensitive materials.
• Rinse machine: Cleaning in the rinse machine can be an effective alternative for robust plastic models, but only at low temperatures.
• Washing machine: This cleaning method is only suitable for durable backpacks made of washable material and without sensitive details and a rigid body. Here, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and always use a gentle program!