HOW TO WASH AND MAINTAIN A SCHOOL BAG

At Kipling, we've been making school bags for students since 1987. Our designs combine style and practicality and are made to last and meet the demands of busy students.

Did you know you can clean and remove stains from our school backpacks at home to keep them looking and functioning like new? Discover our step-by-step guide on how to wash a school bag from Kipling.

How To Clean a Dirty and Stained Backpack

If you Live Light and take your Kipling bag everywhere with you, it's bound to get dirty or pick up some stains eventually.

Follow these steps to wash a backpack from our Kipling collection correctly. These bag care instructions will keep the surface looking and smelling fresh while preventing damage.

How To Clean a Dirty and Stained Backpack

If you Live Light and take your Kipling bag everywhere with you, it's bound to get dirty or pick up some stains eventually.

Follow these steps to wash a backpack from our Kipling collection correctly. These bag care instructions will keep the surface looking and smelling fresh while preventing damage.

How to clean a dirty backpack

Clean the outside of your bag with a slightly wet, soft cloth. Remember to clean all surface areas, including the bottom of the bag and the exterior pockets.
Use a universal-use protective spray to keep your school bag looking clean. This spray adds a layer of protection to your bag, keeping dirt particles on the surface and making it difficult for them to penetrate and create signs of wear on the fabric.

How to clean a stained backpack

Clean the fabric with a cloth or soft brush dipped in water and neutral soap to remove deep stains and marks.
Rub or brush the stains carefully without too much force to prevent damaging the exterior of your bag.

How to wash a school bag made with leather

Keep genuine leather dry and avoid contact with damp or wet surfaces or chemical cleaners.
Clean the leather surface by wiping it with a dry, soft cloth.
Apply a colourless leather cream using a soft brush to the leather areas and seal it with a waterproofing agent. Do not carry out this process on Nubuck leather.

Extra tips on how to hand wash a backpack

Do not soak your bag in water.
Do not use bleach on your bag.
Hang your bag in a shady place to dry, avoiding exposure to direct heat or sunlight.
If your bag features leather trims or details, avoid moistening the leather when you clean it.

How To Clean the Inside of a Backpack

Busy students use their backpacks to haul all sorts of items that can be prone to making a mess. Whether it's spilt drinks, leaky pens or leftover snacks, the inside of your bag may end up with unwanted marks, stains or smells.

Follow these steps on how to wash a rucksack from the inside:

Remove all items from your backpack so it's empty. Make sure pockets and compartments are cleared, too.
Wipe down the inside of your bag using a sponge, warm water and mild soap.
Hang your bag outside in a shady place to dry with the zippers open. Avoid direct heat and direct sunlight.

Maintaining Zippers and Straps

To understand how to deep clean a backpack, you must pay attention to detail. When cleaning your backpack, be sure to thoroughly clean the zippers and straps. These are important elements for keeping your bag in good working order.

Use a gentle brush to remove dust or dirt from the zippers. Clean the straps the same way you clean the surface of your bag with a cloth or soft brush dipped in water and some neutral soap.

Can I Put a Backpack in the Washing Machine?

So, you might be wondering, "Can I put a bag in the washing machine?" While this may seem the most straightforward solution to cleaning your backpack, we don't recommend it. Washing machines are great appliances for washing clothes, but they risk damaging your bag.

Our professional advice on how to wash a bag is to keep it simple and follow our steps for cleaning it by hand. That way, you can understand how to clean a bookbag in a way that prevents damage and guarantees the longevity of your stylish, durable bag that's with you for the long haul.

Can I Put a Backpack in the Washing Machine?

Does Your Backpack Need More Than a Clean?

Now that you know how to clean a bag from Kipling, you can give your favourite school bag a much-needed refresh. If that's not enough to restore your bag to its former glory and your bag is affected by damage or defects, take a look at our warranty page to see what's possible.

At Kipling, our limited warranty policy guarantees our products against possible defects in materials and craft. For a fee, our warranty team can fix a number of issues, from zippers and shoulder straps to the back panel padding.