How to

How to clean a school bag: mud, paint, spills and smells

Empty the bag, brush off dry mud, then wipe it with warm water and a little washing-up liquid and air dry it away from heat; keep any waterproof bag out of the washing machine.

Most school bags are ruined by cleaning rather than by dirt. A hot wash strips coatings, splits welded seams and warps padded panels.

This is the slow-and-boring method that keeps a bag looking new for years.

plop in short

10L waterproof roll-top backpack for children aged 3 to 10.
32 cm high, 25 cm wide, 12 cm deep, so A4 books sit flat.
Soft matte TPU fabric, fully waterproof, with welded seams and a reinforced base.
Padded adjustable shoulder straps and a chest strap a three-year-old can clip alone.
£39 with free UK shipping, 30-day returns and a 2-year guarantee.

The basic clean, five minutes

Do this at the end of each half term, or the same evening if something has leaked.

Empty every pocket and shake out the crumbs.
Let dry mud dry completely, then brush it off with a soft brush.
Wipe inside and out with warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid on a cloth.
Rinse the cloth and wipe again to lift the soap.
Leave it open to air dry, away from radiators and direct sun.

Poster paint, felt tip and yoghurt

On a soft matte TPU fabric nothing soaks in, so paint and food sit on the surface and come off with a damp cloth. Deal with it the same day if you can, before it dries hard.

For felt tip, a little washing-up liquid on a damp cloth and gentle pressure is usually enough. Avoid solvents, nail polish remover and bleach, which mark coated fabrics permanently.

Smells and spilled drinks

A spilled bottle is a smell problem more than a stain. Wipe the inside, then leave the bag open somewhere airy overnight. A dry sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda left in the empty bag for a few hours absorbs what is left; tip it out and wipe round.

What not to do

The washing machine is the single biggest cause of a bag looking older than it is. Tumble drying and radiators are next.

No washing machine or tumble dryer on any waterproof or coated bag.
No hot water; warm is enough.
No radiators, hair dryers or direct sun for drying.
No solvents, bleach or abrasive pads.

Common questions

Can you put a school bag in the washing machine?: Not if it is waterproof or coated. A machine wash can strip the finish and stress the seams. Wipe it with warm water and a little washing-up liquid instead.
How do you get mud off a school bag?: Let the mud dry, brush it off, then wipe the area with warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid. On a soft matte TPU fabric it lifts off without soaking in.
How do you get rid of a smell in a school bag?: Wipe the inside, air it open overnight, then leave a little bicarbonate of soda in the empty bag for a few hours and tip it out.