How to Wash a Canvas Tote Bag Without Shrinking It

You can machine-wash most plain cotton canvas tote bags, as long as you use a cold or 30°C gentle cycle, turn printed totes inside out and let the bag air dry instead of using a tumble dryer. Check the care label first, and never machine-wash waxed canvas, which should be spot cleaned by hand.

Can you machine-wash a canvas tote bag?

Most plain cotton canvas totes can go in the washing machine. Canvas is a tightly woven, hard-wearing fabric, and cotton canvas copes well with a gentle wash. The risks are shrinking, fading and damage to prints, all of which come down mainly to heat and rough handling.

There are exceptions. Totes with leather handles or trims, waxed or coated canvas, glued linings, stiff card bases or delicate embellishments should not go in the machine. For these, spot cleaning or a careful hand wash is safer.

Why do canvas tote bags shrink?

Cotton fibres can tighten and draw closer together when they get hot and are tumbled around, which is why cotton items can shrink in a hot wash or a hot dryer. Canvas that was not pre-shrunk before it was sewn is more likely to change size. Heat is the main thing to avoid, and drying tends to cause more shrinkage than washing.

A small amount of change can happen even on a gentle wash, particularly the first time. Keeping the water cool and drying the bag naturally is the best way to keep that change as small as possible.

What temperature stops a tote bag shrinking?

Wash on cold or no higher than 30°C (about 86°F). That is low enough to reduce shrinking and fading while still lifting everyday dirt. Pair it with a gentle, delicate or hand-wash cycle and a low spin speed to cut down on creasing and wear.

If the care label gives a different temperature, follow the label. Makers know how the fabric was treated and what the dyes and prints can take.

How to machine-wash a canvas tote bag

1. Check the care label. Look for the wash-tub symbol and any temperature limit. A hand in the tub means hand wash only, and a crossed-out tub means do not wash.
2. Empty every pocket. Shake out crumbs, sand and loose threads, and remove any keyrings or clip-on pouches.
3. Pre-treat stains. Dab a little mild liquid detergent onto marks with a soft brush or cloth and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Turn printed totes inside out. This protects screen prints, painted designs and embroidery from rubbing against the drum.
5. Use a laundry bag or wash with similar items. A mesh laundry bag or a few towels of a similar colour help cushion the tote.
6. Set a cold or 30°C gentle cycle. Choose a low spin speed and use a small amount of mild detergent. Skip bleach and fabric softener.
7. Reshape and air dry. Take the bag out as soon as the cycle ends, pull it back into shape and leave it to dry naturally.

How to hand wash a canvas tote

Hand washing is the gentlest option and suits totes with delicate prints, contrast stitching or trims that you are unsure about. It takes a little longer but gives you more control.

1. Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water. Add a small amount of mild detergent and mix it in.
2. Soak for up to 30 minutes. Press the bag under the water so the canvas is fully wet.
3. Scrub gently. Use a soft brush or cloth on dirty areas, especially the base and handles.
4. Rinse well. Change the water and rinse until no suds remain, as leftover detergent can leave marks.
5. Press out water. Roll the tote in a clean towel and press. Do not wring it, as twisting can distort the shape.

How should you dry a canvas tote bag?

Air dry it. Hang the tote from its handles on a line or a hanger, or lay it flat on a drying rack if the handles are thin. Stuffing it lightly with a clean towel helps it keep its shape as it dries.

Keep it out of the tumble dryer, since the heat can shrink cotton canvas and fade prints. Strong direct sun can also fade colours over time, so a shady, airy spot is best. Let the bag dry fully before you use or store it, because damp canvas can develop a musty smell.

Should you iron a canvas tote?

You can if the label allows it. Iron on the reverse side at a medium setting while the canvas is still slightly damp, and never iron directly over a print. A pressing cloth adds protection.

How to clean a waxed canvas tote

Waxed canvas has a wax coating that makes it water-resistant. Hot water, detergent and machine washing can strip that coating and leave the fabric patchy, so waxed canvas should never be machine washed.

1. Brush off dry dirt with a soft brush once it has dried.
2. Wipe marks with a cloth dampened in cold water only.
3. Let the bag air dry at room temperature.
4. Re-wax worn areas with a fabric wax made for waxed cotton, following the product’s instructions.

How to remove common stains from a tote

Treat stains as soon as you can, since fresh marks lift more easily. Always test any product on a small hidden area first, such as inside the base.

• Food and drink: blot, then dab with cool water and a little mild detergent.
• Grease or oil: sprinkle cornflour (cornstarch) or baking soda, leave it to absorb, then brush off before washing.
• Ink: dab lightly with rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad, working from the outside in. Avoid printed areas.
• Mud: let it dry completely, brush it off, then treat any remaining mark.

How often should you wash a canvas tote?

Only when it needs it. Frequent washing wears canvas and fades colour more quickly than occasional spot cleaning. A quick brush and a wipe with a damp cloth will deal with most light marks between washes.

If you use a tote for groceries, especially raw meat, fish or leaking items, wash it more often. Many people keep a separate bag for food shopping for this reason.

For more care advice on bags and clothes, browse the guides in the Luxeurs Journal. If you are after a new everyday carry-all, our canvas tote is in the shop.

FAQs

Can you put a canvas tote in the tumble dryer?

It is best not to. Dryer heat can shrink cotton canvas and may crack or fade prints. Hanging it up is slower but much kinder to the fabric.

Will a tote bag shrink at 40°C?

It might. Some pre-shrunk canvas copes with 40°C, but a cooler wash lowers the risk. Unless the label says 40°C is fine, stay at 30°C or below.

How do I fix a tote that has already shrunk?

You can try soaking it in lukewarm water with a little hair conditioner, then gently stretching it back into shape and drying it flat. Results vary, and heavily shrunk canvas may not fully recover.

Can I use bleach on a white canvas tote?

Chlorine bleach can weaken cotton fibres and turn some fabrics yellow. An oxygen-based stain remover used as the pack directs is usually a gentler choice, but test it on a hidden spot first.

Why does my tote smell musty after washing?

It was probably put away before it was fully dry. Wash it again, then dry it somewhere airy until the seams and base are completely dry.