The safest way to wash a kids' backpack is to spot-clean it by hand with mild soap and cool water, then air dry. Machine washing works for many bags on a gentle, cold cycle, but check the care label first, and never put a backpack in the dryer.

Before you start

• Empty every pocket and shake out crumbs.
• Check the care label. If it says hand-wash only, follow that.
• Pre-treat stains with a little mild detergent.

Spot-clean (best for most days)

1. Mix a few drops of mild soap into cool water.
2. Wipe the outside and inside with a soft cloth or sponge.
3. Rinse the cloth and wipe again to remove soap.
4. Air dry, unzipped, away from direct heat.

Machine wash (if the label allows)

1. Empty it, and place it in a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag.
2. Use a gentle, cold cycle with a small amount of mild detergent.
3. Skip fabric softener and bleach.
4. Air dry only. Heat can warp padding and damage coatings.

Keep it cleaner longer

Wipe the inside weekly, deal with spills quickly, and store it somewhere dry. A durable, well-made backpack holds up to regular cleaning. Fenrici backpacks are built for it and come with a kid-proof warranty.

Cleaning the lunch gear too? Wipe the insulated interior after each use, and the wheat-straw bento box is dishwasher-safe.

Every Fenrici backpack gives back to pediatric rare-disease research.