Washing school bags – tips for a clean school bag

A school bag accompanies your child every day: It is not only a practical utensil, but also a loyal companion in everyday school life. So it is inevitable that dirt, crumbs and stains will accumulate over time. 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 what is the best way to go about it? Whether by hand, in the dishwasher or maybe even in the washing machine - we will show you which method is suitable and what you should pay attention to when cleaning and caring for it so that the school bag looks like new again without being damaged.

Table of contents

• Preparation
  
• hand wash
• Washing school bags in the dishwasher
  
• Conclusion

Preparation before washing

Whether you wash it by hand or in the dishwasher or washing machine, thorough preparation is crucial before you start cleaning your school bag .

You should take the following three steps :

1. Empty the school bag : Take out all books, notebooks and pencil cases and also check small compartments and pockets for other school supplies .

2. Check the manufacturer's materials and care instructions : You can often find these on a small label inside the school bag and there you will find out whether the bag is machine washable or whether hand washing is recommended.

3. Remove coarse dirt : To remove dust, sand or crumbs, you can empty the backpack, brush it and, if necessary, clean hard-to-reach areas with a narrow vacuum cleaner attachment.

Hand washing: The gentle method

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

Step-by-step instructions for hand washing

And this is how to clean your hands:

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

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

3. Clean gently: Wipe the backpack inside and out with a cloth or sponge. For particularly dirty areas, a sponge with a scouring surface is ideal for light scrubbing.

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

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 waterproofing: Once the school bag is completely dry, you can treat it with a waterproofing agent or spray (against rain).
   

Washing school bags in the dishwasher

Washing your school bag or satchel in the dishwasher - is that even possible? What may sound unusual at first works wonderfully with certain school bags. This method cleans the school bag thoroughly and is less laborious than washing it by hand. However, not all satchels are suitable for the dishwasher.

In addition to the school bag, you can of course also clean smaller school accessories , such as pencil cases, by hand. All you need is a damp cloth and a little washing-up liquid as a cleaning agent.

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

• The satchel has a solid body .
• The bags are not made of felt or leather, but of plastic .
• There are no cardboard parts .
• Your dishwasher has a short or cold wash program with a maximum of 55 degrees Celsius .

Step-by-step instructions 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 make sure that there are no food residues left in the machine that could dirty the school bag. Also remove unnecessary accessories from the machine, such as the cutlery basket.

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

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

And here's a tip : After the rinse cycle, you can let the school bag dry thoroughly, just like after hand washing, and then treat it with a waterproofing agent once it's completely dry.

Washing school bags in the washing machine

If you want to wash the backpack in the washing machine, you need to be very careful. Some manufacturers generally advise against washing their models in the washing machine. This can damage protective coatings and expose the material to a lot of friction . For this reason, you should first research the manufacturer's instructions before washing.

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

• The body of the school bag is flexible and not dimensionally stable.
  
• The backpack is not made of leather , but of washable materials, such as cotton.
• For this type of cleaning, a gentle wash cycle at 20-30 degrees Celsius is recommended.

Conclusion: How can you clean a school bag?

To ensure that your child's school bag shines in bright colors and freshness again, you have the following options:

• Hand washing : This is the gentlest method and always the first and safest choice for delicate materials .
• Dishwasher : Cleaning in the dishwasher can be an effective alternative for robust plastic models , but only at low temperatures.
• Washing machine : This type of cleaning is only suitable for hard-wearing bags made of washable material and without delicate details and a solid body. The following applies: Follow the manufacturer's instructions and always use a gentle program!
  

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