Yes, most fabric backpacks (rucksacks) in nylon, polyester or canvas can go in the washing machine if the care label allows it: empty every pocket, remove any frame or detachable straps, put the bag in a pillowcase or laundry bag and wash it on a cold or 30°C gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Dry it by hanging it upside down with all the pockets open in an airy spot, and never put it in a tumble dryer or on a radiator.
Key takeaways
- Read the care label first. Leather backpacks, and bags with leather trims, should not be machine washed.
- Empty the bag completely and shake out crumbs and grit before it goes near water.
- A pillowcase or mesh laundry bag protects the zips, buckles and the machine drum.
- Use a cool, gentle cycle and a small amount of mild detergent, without fabric softener.
- Air-dry the backpack upside down with the pockets open. Heat can warp padding and coatings.
Can you put a backpack in the washing machine?
Most everyday rucksacks (backpacks) made from nylon, polyester or cotton canvas can be machine washed, but the care label decides. Many bags carry a small sewn-in label inside the main compartment. If it shows a hand-wash symbol or a crossed-out tub, wash by hand instead.
Some bags are better kept out of the machine whatever the label says:
- Leather or suede backpacks, or fabric bags with leather bases, straps or trims. Water can stiffen and mark the leather.
- Bags with a built-in frame that cannot be removed, such as some hiking packs.
- Backpacks with a waterproof coating on the inside. Hot water and agitation can wear the coating down, so wash these gently by hand.
- Bags with electronics, such as a built-in charging port or battery pocket that cannot be removed.
How to prepare a backpack for washing
A few minutes of preparation prevents most of the damage people see after washing a bag.
- Empty every pocket. Check the small ones too. A forgotten pen or tissue can ruin the whole load.
- Turn the bag upside down and shake it to tip out crumbs, sand and grit. A vacuum with a narrow nozzle helps in the seams.
- Remove what comes off: detachable straps, hip belts, internal frame sheets, key clips and any metal stays.
- Brush off dried mud with a soft brush once it is completely dry.
- Pre-treat marks. Dab a little mild detergent or washing-up liquid (dish soap) on stains and work it in gently with a soft toothbrush.
- Close the zips and fasten the buckles, then loosen the shoulder straps so they do not catch.
How to wash a backpack in the washing machine
- Put the backpack in a pillowcase or large mesh laundry bag. This keeps straps from wrapping round the drum and stops zips and buckles knocking against it.
- Add a couple of towels to balance the load if the bag is on its own. Choose towels in a similar colour in case the bag’s dye runs.
- Choose a cold or 30°C delicate, gentle or hand-wash cycle, or whatever the care label specifies.
- Use a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Powder can lodge in seams and padding.
- Skip the fabric softener. It can leave a residue on technical fabrics and coatings.
- Use a low spin speed so the padding and straps are not crushed.
- Take the bag out as soon as the cycle ends and move straight on to drying.
Washing a bright or dark canvas rucksack for the first time? Wash it on its own, as new dyes are more likely to bleed.
How to wash a backpack by hand
Hand washing is the safer choice for coated, structured or older bags, and it is often quicker than you would expect.
- Fill a bath, sink or large tub with cool or lukewarm water and stir in a little mild detergent.
- Submerge the backpack and leave it for 15 to 30 minutes to loosen dirt.
- Scrub dirty areas with a soft brush or sponge, paying attention to the base, straps and back panel, where sweat and grime build up.
- Drain the water and rinse the bag in clean water until no suds remain. Soap left in the padding attracts dirt.
- Press out water gently. Do not wring the bag, as that can bend frame sheets and crease the padding.
Spot cleaning a leather or coated bag
For bags that should not be soaked, wipe the fabric with a cloth dampened in soapy water, then with a cloth in clean water. Keep leather parts as dry as possible and use a cleaner made for leather on those areas, following its label.
How do you dry a backpack without damaging it?
Drying is where most backpacks get damaged. Heat can shrink canvas, melt or warp foam padding, soften plastic parts and damage waterproof coatings, so slow air-drying is the rule.
- Blot away excess water with a dry towel, pressing rather than twisting.
- Open every zip and pocket so air can move through the bag.
- Hang the backpack upside down from its base or grab handle, so water drains out of the openings instead of pooling in the bottom.
- Dry it somewhere airy, indoors or in the shade outdoors. Strong sun can fade colours.
- Keep it away from radiators, heaters and the tumble dryer.
- Wait until it is completely dry, including the padded straps and back panel, before putting anything back inside. This can take a day or more.
A bag packed away damp can develop a musty smell or mildew spots, so if the padding still feels cool to the touch, give it longer.
How often should you wash a backpack?
There is no fixed schedule. Most everyday bags only need a full wash when they look dirty or start to smell, which for many people is a few times a year. Wiping out crumbs and spills when they happen, and emptying the bag regularly, means the full wash can wait longer.
Gym and school bags tend to need more attention because of sweat, food and damp kit. Taking wet clothes out the same day makes the biggest difference to how a bag smells.
Machine vs hand washing at a glance
| Backpack type | Best method | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon or polyester daypack | Machine, cold gentle cycle in a pillowcase | Straps tangling, zips scratching the drum |
| Cotton canvas rucksack | Machine or hand wash, cool water | Dye bleeding, shrinking in heat |
| Bag with leather trims | Hand spot clean the fabric only | Leather stiffening or marking |
| Coated or waterproof bag | Hand wash in cool water | Coating wearing off with heat and agitation |
| Bag with a fixed frame | Hand wash or spot clean | Frame bending, padding creasing |
Is it time for a new backpack?
A wash will lift dirt and smells, but it will not fix a broken zip, a split seam or padding that has gone flat. If you are replacing a bag, think about how much you really carry. Our backpack size guide explains litre sizes for day bags, overnight trips and carry-on travel. You can see the rucksacks we stock in the shop.
FAQs
Can you put a backpack in the tumble dryer?
It is best not to. Heat can warp foam padding, damage coatings and weaken plastic buckles, and the tumbling is hard on zips. Hang the bag upside down with the pockets open instead.
How do I get a smell out of a backpack?
Wash it following the label, then make sure it dries completely, as lingering damp is the usual cause of smells. Between washes, leave it open to air out and place a small open bag of baking soda inside overnight.
Will washing ruin the waterproofing on my rucksack?
Gentle, cool hand washing is less likely to harm it than a warm machine cycle. If water stops beading on the outer fabric after cleaning, a reproofing spray made for technical fabrics can restore some water repellency.
Should I use bleach on a white backpack?
Avoid it unless the care label says bleach is safe. Bleach can yellow some synthetic fabrics and weaken stitching. A mild detergent and a soft brush on the marks is the gentler first step.
Can I wash a laptop backpack?
Usually yes, if it has no built-in electronics and the label allows it. Remove any padded sleeve inserts that come out, and make sure the bag is fully dry before a laptop goes back in.