Can You Put a Backpack in the Washing Machine? (Yes… But Not Like That.)

I kept walking past that backpack like it was going to clean itself—until the smell finally bullied me into doing something about it.

I put off washing my bag for weeks because it smelled like a middle-school locker room and felt gritty inside, like someone poured beach sand into the lining. Then I finally stood there staring at it thinking, can you put a backpack in the washing machine without turning it into a sad, wrinkled pancake? The zippers looked dull. The straps felt sticky. The whole thing just screamed “don’t touch me.” (So… I touched it anyway.)

We’ve tested this as a team on a bunch of everyday backpacks, and the answer isn’t a clean “yes” or “no.” It’s a “yes—if the bag is the right material and you prep it like you actually want it to survive.” Otherwise? You’ll get loud thumping, twisted straps, and that weird detergent film that feels like dried syrup. Gross.

The “Contain-It-Or-Regret-It” Wash Method (What We Actually Do)

I jokingly call it “Contain-It-Or-Regret-It,” because the first time I didn’t… the straps wrapped around the washer like spaghetti and the machine started banging like it was angry at me. Loud. Stressful. My fault.

Tools (nothing fancy)

• Vacuum or lint roller (crumbs hide in the corners, it’s unreal)
• Soft brush or old toothbrush (soft bristles only)
• Mesh laundry bag (best) or a tied pillowcase (still works)
• Mild liquid detergent (skip powder—powder likes to cling and turn chalky)
• 2 towels (for balancing and padding)

Steps (this is the part people skip, then complain)

1. Empty it like you mean it

Open every pocket. Shake it upside down. You’ll hear the little “tink tink” of coins and the soft rattle of old paper clips.

2. Vacuum the inside

Focus on seams and corners where dust cakes up like damp cardboard fuzz. If you don’t, you’ll just make muddy soup in the wash.

3. Spot-treat the worst spots

A drop of detergent + a little water, then lightly brush. Don’t soak it.

4. Zip it up and bag it

Put the backpack in a mesh bag or pillowcase and tie it closed. This reduces snagging and that awful “strap whip” inside the drum.

5. Cold water + gentle cycle

Cold. Gentle. Low spin if your machine allows it. Add two towels to cushion the impact.

Go light on detergent. Half your normal amount. Too much detergent leaves a slick film that feels… wrong. Like you could peel it off.

6. Air dry with shape

Pull it out right away. Reshape it. Stuff it with clean towels so it doesn’t dry collapsed and weird.

Reality Check (When the Washer Is a Bad Idea)

If your backpack has stiff panels, cardboard inserts, faux leather, heavy embroidery, or a built-in laptop frame… be careful. Some bags are built like little pieces of furniture. And furniture hates washing machines.

Also, store-bought “bag cleaners” can work, but most of them are just scented soap in a nicer bottle. You’re paying for smell. (Sometimes that’s fine. I get it.) But for normal grime and sweat funk, the method above does the job.

Can you put a Vans backpack in the washing machine?

Usually, yes if it’s a basic fabric Vans backpack (canvas/polyester) and the care tag doesn’t warn against it. Cold + gentle + bag it. Watch the logos and printed graphics though—heavy agitation can crack ink over time. Not always, but it happens.

Can you put backpack in the washing machine?

For most everyday school or gym backpacks made from nylon or polyester: yes, with the prep steps above. For structured fashion bags, leather-trim bags, or anything with stiff inserts: no, stick to spot cleaning. If you skip the mesh bag, you’ll hear the drum thumping like someone’s throwing shoes in there. Annoying.

Can you put a small backpack in the washing machine?

Small backpacks are often the easiest—less weight, less strain on straps. Still: bag it. The main risk is straps tangling and the bag bouncing around like a pinball. Two towels help a lot.

Can you put your backpack in the washing machine?

If it’s your daily backpack with sweat, crumbs, and mystery stains… you probably can, but do a quick check first: metal studs? leather patches? cardboard back panel? If yes, don’t machine wash. If it’s fabric and flexible, you’re good to try.

Can you put a clear backpack in the washing machine?

I don’t like machine-washing clear backpacks. Many are PVC/vinyl and can turn cloudy, get stiff, or crease in a way that never looks normal again. Hand-wash is safer: lukewarm water, mild soap, soft cloth. No harsh scrubbing. No dryer. Seriously.

Can you put a backpack in the washing machine and dryer?

Washer: sometimes. Dryer: almost never. Heat messes with coatings, glues, and strap padding, and it can shrink or warp synthetic parts. If you absolutely must use a dryer, use no heat / air fluff for 10 minutes max, then finish air-drying. I’ve seen straps come out wavy. Wavy straps are not a vibe.

Can you put an Adidas backpack in the washing machine?

Most Adidas backpacks that are simple polyester fabric can handle cold + gentle in a mesh bag. The main thing to protect is any rubberized logo and coated bottom panel—don’t blast it with hot water, and don’t dry it with heat.

Can you put a Samsonite backpack in the washing machine?

I’m cautious here. Many Samsonite backpacks have more structure, more padding, and sometimes a frame-like feel for laptop support. If it feels stiff or has built-in shaping, do not machine wash. Spot clean the exterior, wipe the lining, and air it out. Slow, but safer.

Can you put a nylon backpack in the washing machine?

Nylon backpacks are often machine-washable on cold + gentle, and they clean up nicely. The downside: nylon can snag and pill if you wash it loose with rough items. Bag it. Always.

Can you put a polyester backpack in the washing machine?

Polyester backpacks are usually the most washer-friendly—cold, gentle, mild detergent, mesh bag. Polyester is a synthetic fiber used heavily in fabrics (and it can melt with enough heat), so keeping it away from high dryer heat is the whole game. (See Polyester on Wikipedia).

One Lazy Pro Tip

After the bag dries, toss a tablespoon of baking soda into a sock, tie it off, and leave it inside overnight. It helps with the leftover funk. Not magic. Just helpful. Helpful, helpful.

FAQ (Real questions people actually ask)

1) Why does my backpack still smell after washing?
Usually because it didn’t dry fast enough and that damp-mildew smell set in. Stuff it with towels, open all pockets, and aim a fan at it. Fast drying matters.

2) Can I wash a backpack with other clothes?
Yes, but keep it gentle: towels and soft shirts are fine. Skip jeans, anything with hooks, and anything rough that can chew up fabric.

3) How do I stop the straps from tangling?
Mesh bag + zip the backpack + tuck straps inside if you can. If you don’t have a bag, a pillowcase tied tight works. Not perfect, but better than chaos.

4) What about mold inside the lining?
If it’s just musty smell, washing + fast drying can help. If you see visible mold spots deep in padding, sometimes it’s not worth saving. I hate saying that. But yeah.

5) Can I use bleach for stains?
I wouldn’t. Bleach can weaken stitching and fade panels in weird uneven patches. Use mild detergent spot treatment first, repeat if needed, and accept “90% clean” as a win.