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.
Updated
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.
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.