Back-to-school season is here, which means backpacks are coming home a little dirtier, lunch bags are working overtime, and everyday school essentials could use a refresh.
And you don’t need to buy a new backpack every school year. If last year’s bag is still in good shape, a proper wash can give it a fresh start and help extend its life.
A few simple cleaning habits can help keep school gear looking and smelling fresh throughout the year. Here are two easy resets to add to your routine.
HOW TO WASH A BACKPACK
Backpacks go through a lot during the school year, from playground dirt and snack crumbs to spills and everyday wear. Giving them a proper wash every once in a while can make a big difference.
Watch Monika show you how she gives backpacks a proper clean:
BACKPACK WASHING TIPS
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Prep your backpack. Empty all pockets, then turn the backpack inside out or place it inside a pillowcase. This helps prevent straps and zippers from getting caught during the wash.
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Add a towel. Toss an old towel into the washing machine with the backpack to help gently loosen dirt while it washes.
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Wash on gentle. Add one to two scoops of Mint Laundry Booster along with your Mint Laundry Detergent, then wash on a cool, gentle cycle.
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Air dry. Flip the backpack right side out and hang it to dry completely. Skipping the dryer helps protect the lining, straps and overall shape of the bag.
Mint Tip: Always check the care label first, as some backpacks may be hand-wash only.
HOW TO CLEAN A LUNCH BAG
Lunch bags can start smelling less-than-fresh pretty quickly, especially after a few forgotten crumbs, spills or half-eaten snacks.
Luckily, they’re also one of the easiest school essentials to refresh.
See Monika’s quick lunch bag cleaning routine:
- Start by emptying the lunch bag completely and shaking out any crumbs. Wipe down the inside, then lightly spray with Mint Glass Cleaner and give it another wipe.
- Leave the lunch bag open overnight so it can dry completely before packing it again in the morning.
This quick reset helps remove everyday messes and leaves lunch bags smelling fresh and ready for another school day.
Mint Tip: Leaving lunch bags open to air out at the end of each day can help prevent odours from building up in the first place.
YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL CLEANING CHECKLIST
Back-to-school routines can get busy fast, but keeping the things your family uses every day clean doesn’t have to mean adding a huge job to your list.
A backpack wash here, a quick lunch bag refresh there, and you’re already ahead of the game.
And if you’re ready to give the rest of the house a little back-to-school reset too, we put together a Back-to-School Cleaning Checklist to help you tackle the spaces that could use some extra attention as everyone settles back into their routines.