How To Wash a Backpack with Hands & Machine Hacks

I recently went on a hiking trip with some friends, and like always, I took my Osprey Daylite Plus backpack. We cooked in the mountains, sat around, and placed our bags on the ground, rocks, and even near the fire while making tea. After a few trips like that, my backpack started looking dirty and smelling a bit off.

I’ve worked with bag and luggage brands before, so I understand how backpacks are made, but honestly, I had never really cleaned one before. So this time, I decided to properly wash it and figure out the safest way to do it.

In this article, I’ll show you step by step how to wash a backpack, either by hand or in a washing machine. I’ll also explain what you should avoid, and how to make your backpack look clean and fresh again without damaging it.

Prepare the Backpack for Cleaning:

Before washing, get your backpack ready. Start by emptying every pocket and compartment. Dump out all contents, shake the bag upside-down, and use a vacuum or brush to remove loose dirt and crumbs. Check hidden spots like mesh pockets or under flaps. Next, remove detachable parts: take off water bottles, hip belts, shoulder straps, or any frame sheets if your pack has them. These should be cleaned separately (or wiped down if machine-wash only applies to the main bag).

Next, inspect care labels. Most packs have a tag inside that tells you how to wash them. If the label says “hand wash only” or “do not machine wash,” follow that advice. If there’s no label, consider the materials: nylon and polyester usually handle a machine wash, but backpacks with leather, metal accents, or special coatings often do best with hand washing. In any case, when in doubt, test a small hidden spot with a bit of gentle detergent to ensure no fading or damage.

Finally, treat stains before washing. For visible spots, dab on a little mild detergent or stain remover and gently scrub with a soft brush. Let it sit for a few minutes. Avoid bleach unless you’re fighting mold on a white, colorfast pack (see FAQs). Once stains are pretreated, your backpack is ready for a full wash.

Get started by emptying and dusting out your backpack. Unzip all pockets, shake out crumbs, and vacuum or brush interior crevices. Remove straps, frames, and any loose items to make cleaning easier

If you have another bakcpack then you can get the quantity of the material required for cleaning that backpack according to size.

Hand Washing a Backpack:

Hand washing is the safest way to clean most backpacks, especially those with water-resistant coatings or delicate trims. Here’s how to do it:

1. Fill a tub with lukewarm water and mild soap. Use a clean bathtub, large sink, or bucket. Fill it with about 5–6 inches of lukewarm water (not hot) and add a teaspoon of gentle detergent (free of dyes and additives). Too much detergent can be hard to rinse out, so a small amount is plenty.
2. Submerge and scrub the backpack. Place the entire backpack in the water if it’s safe to submerge. Gently agitate it and use a soft sponge or cloth to scrub all areas, inside and out. Focus on straps, the back panel, and any dirty spots. A soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush is great for tougher stains or zipper teeth. Be careful not to scrub too hard, especially on mesh or padded areas, to preserve coatings.
3. Rinse thoroughly. After washing, drain the soapy water and refill the tub with clean lukewarm water. Submerge and rinse the pack until all soap suds are gone. If you didn’t fully submerge it, you can also rinse by pouring fresh water in or using a shower spray. Wring out excess water by pressing or patting with your hands, but don’t wring aggressively, which can deform padding.
4. Air-dry completely. Remove the backpack from water and gently shake off extra droplets. Tuck an absorbent towel inside and press it to soak up water. Then hang the pack to dry upside down. Choose a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. UV rays can weaken nylon and fade colors. Let it drip-dry fully (this may take a day or two). Leave pockets unzipped so air can circulate. Once bone dry, reattach all straps and use them as normal.

Hand-washing may take more time, but it protects water-repellant coatings and delicate parts. Osprey, for example, explicitly advises hand cleaning with warm soapy water and a sponge. This method is ideal for leather-trimmed or embellished backpacks too.

A gentle hand wash keeps technical packs safe. Submerge the bag in soapy water and scrub interiors and exteriors with a sponge. Use a toothbrush for zippers and corners. After rinsing, hang the pack upside down to air-dry away from heat or sun.

Machine Washing a Backpack:

Some basic backpacks (usually nylon or polyester) can be safely machine washed, but only with caution. Always check the care label first. Here we have provided you information if machine wash is good for you bag or not, just select your bag material.

If your pack is sturdy fabric without glued-on patches, it may handle a gentle machine cycle. Here are the steps:

1. Empty and prep the pack. As before, remove all contents, detachable straps, and any metal frames. Zip up zippers, clip loose straps together or tuck them inside. Use a lint brush or cloth to remove excess dirt.
2. Protect the backpack. Turn the bag inside out or put it in a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag. This shields the backpack’s straps and hardware from snagging in the washer. Add a few towels to the load (with just the backpack) to balance the wash and cushion it.
3. Use gentle detergent and settings. Pour a mild, additive-free detergent (about 1–2 tablespoons) into the machine. No bleach or fabric softener! Choose the machine’s gentlest or delicate cycle with cold or lukewarm water. A slow spin avoids tangles. Avoid high heat, use warm, not hot water.
4. Air-dry the bag. When the cycle finishes, remove the backpack. Do not put it in the dryer, tumble heat will harm fabrics and plastic parts. Instead, shake out excess water, gently pat with a towel, and hang it upside-down to drip-dry. Leave all compartments open and hang in shade or indoors, as direct sun can fade and weaken materials.

By following these steps, you can machine-wash many daypacks without damage. Whirlpool experts note that nylon or canvas packs usually tolerate a washer on gentle settings. And Clorox confirms that nylon backpacks are often colorfast enough to machine wash, even if labeled “do not bleach”. Remember: never machine-dry your backpack. The high heat and tumbling can shrink fabric and ruin straps.

Backpack Cleaning Hacks:

Here are some extra tips and tricks to make your backpack cleaning easier:

• Spot Treatment: Act fast on stains. A mixture of mild detergent and water, or even white vinegar (diluted 1:1 with water), works wonders on mildew or sweat stains. Dab and scrub with a soft brush, then rinse.
• Deodorize: To remove lingering odors, sprinkle baking soda inside the dry pack, let it sit overnight, then shake or vacuum it out. Baking soda neutralizes smells and is safe on fabrics.
• Brush and vacuum: Even before washing, use a vacuum with a crevice tool to suck up fine debris from seams and pocket corners. A clean, dry pack is easier to wash and won’t lock in hidden grime.
• Use gear cleaner for tech fabrics: For high-end waterproof backpacks, consider a specialized wash like Nikwax Tech Wash. Osprey recommends Nikwax products to clean technical gear and restore water repellency. They’re gentle on DWR coatings.
• Avoid bleach (unless moldy): Regular bleach can yellow fabrics. Use bleach only for heavy mold or mildew on white, bleach-safe packs. Otherwise stick to detergent or stain remover.
• Press, don’t wring: After washing, pat padded straps and pockets with a towel to squeeze out water. Press foam padding gently to expel moisture. This speeds drying without over-stretching the pack.
• Freshness boosters: Slip a fabric softener sheet into the main compartment while drying for a light, clean scent.

By combining these hacks with the main methods, your backpack will come out cleaner and fresher than ever.

Conclusion:

In both methods, I inspected the pack after it’s dry. The Osprey Daylite Plus look refreshed and clean. Again, note that Osprey’s official guide warns against machine washing, so while some people do wash theirs delicately, hand-washing is the safer bet for this particular model.

FAQs: