How To Clean A Backpack With Wheels? Discover Now

When it comes to keeping your travel gear in top-notch condition, knowing how to clean a backpack with wheels is a skill every adventurer should possess. A well-maintained backpack not only ensures your essentials stay safe but also prolongs the life of your trusty travel companion. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the simple yet effective steps to clean your backpack with wheels, using short and easy-to-understand professional language. Say goodbye to dirt and grime as we delve into the art of backpack maintenance.

How To Clean A Backpack With Wheels? 

There is a very special and easy method about how to clean a backpack with wheels – and that method is- Washing by hand. Washing by machine is forbidden for wheeled backpacks because of the risk of harm from any protective coatings on the pack. 

I’ll discuss the cleaning and hair removal methods of the wheels separately. Let’s have a look.

How To Clean A Backpack With Wheels By Hand?

Step-01: Empty your bag first: 

You may carry many things in your bag, such as pens, phones, keys, food, and papers for flawless cleaning. You may carry food in your backpack, and the flavor of the food gets stuck in it. 

Flip and shake the bag so all the small things and debris, including food particles, can come out. If any item in the bag has also become dirty, you must clean them because you can’t put them back into a clean bag. 

Step-02: Give a brush to your bag:

Before starting washing, you need to brush the backpack to loose exterior dirt and dust. Then, apply a damp rug to wipe out the surface dirt so that the water will remain as clean as possible when you wash the bag. 

Step-03: Check the care label: 

The label of any good is a very good friend. If you read the label carefully, you can know what you shouldn’t do during the washing time to avoid damage. You also need to know that certain chemicals and products harm the backpacks. If the cloth of the bag is resistant to water, the chemical can damage the bag. 

Sometimes, the backpack doesn’t have any label for precaution. In that case, wash a small part of the bag first to understand what will happen after a full wash. 

Step-04: treat the stains: 

If your backpack has dirty spots and stains, try removing them first. You can use a stain remover, but DON’T USE BLEACH AT ANY COST because bleach will damage your clothes badly.  

Always use an old and soft brush to scrub away stains and wait 30 minutes to come out, but most of the stains will come out when you wash the bag. Use a 50:50 solution of detergent powder or liquid or wool cleaner liquid if you don’t have any special stain remover. 

Step-05: Fill a large sink, tub, or bowel with water:  

The water should be lukewarm. A laundry basin or sink is also suitable for this work. Never use a small sink or basin. Otherwise, you can’t use your hands freely and clean the pockets and sections. 

Adding more, never use hot water to wash your bag. Otherwise, it’ll bleed the colors. Read the care label. If the label doesn’t allow the backpack to sink fully, use a soaked rug to wet and clean it. 

Step-06: Use mild detergent or wool cloth cleaner: 

You know very well that harsh chemicals will damage your backpack and fade its colors and fabric materials.

Use a soft brush and rug to scrub the bag. Don’t scrub harshly and roughly. Whether you merge the backpack fully or not, a brush will help you to clean the particular dirty area, and a rug will help you in general cleaning.

Keep in mind that backpacks often have mesh pockets. So, you better use a sponge instead of a brush or rug. 

Step-07: Rinse the backpack thoroughly: 

Now, you have to get all the soapy residue from the backpack. Make sure that the backpack is rinsed very well. Check the pockets, zippers, and foam areas while wringing out the bag to avoid damage. 

Step-08: Dry your backpack: 

Now it’s your turn to dry your backpack. Use the natural way, and the way is to keep your bag in the sun by hanging it on a rope and fixing some cloth clips on it. Hang the backpack by flipping it.

 Nothing is better than sunlight. It keeps away the bad odor. Ensure the bag has become fully dry before re-using or storing it. If the bag remains damp inside, the mold will grow, and the bad smell will irritate you. 

You can use some awesome products to clean your backpacks: 

• Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap. 
• Dawn Dish Soap Platinum Dishwashing Liquid. 
• E-Cloth Microfiber Cleaning Cloth. 

Pro Tips About How To Clean A Backpack With Wheels  

The cleaning process of leather is different from that of other material bags. Whether your bag is all leather or only the bottom is leathered- the cleaning process is the same. After emptying the bag, you must use a leather cleaner or conditioner. Clean the bag as you clean a leather couch. 

However, I have suggestions for some products to clean a leather backpack. Those products are: 

Weiman Leather Cleaner Conditioner & Protector. 

Lysol Disinfectant Wipes. 

Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray. 

You also can use a damp cloth for cleaning. First, remove the grime. Now, use another clean, damp cloth to complete the cleaning process. Now, let the backpack fully dry. After that, apply leather conditioner for extra and long-lasting protection. 

Tips for sanitizing your backpack: 

Your backpack needs to be sanitized because cleaning isn’t the only solution. There are some reasons to sanitize your backpack, as you may keep sweaty gym clothes, socks, and towels inside the backpack, which transfers the odor and germs to the backpack. 

However, the germs can’t be technically disinfected. Only soft surfaces can be sanitized. So, sanitize the soft surface of your backpack by following the steps: 

• Use a non-bleach disinfecting wipe like Lysol Disinfectant Wipes.
• At first, it wipes out the interior with good care of the seams, nooks, and crannies. 
• Use multiple wipes to keep the interior wet for a long time. 
• Now, use a fabric sanitizer to sanitize the fabric exterior by using Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray.
• As usual, dry the inside of the backpack before using or storing it. 

How to clean the wheels of a rolling backpack: 

We already know how to clean the wheeled backpack, but the wheels need to be cleaned separately because they gather so much dirt, especially a lot of hair. Hairs are fine on our head only, not the other places. You better clean the wheels before cleaning the backpack. 

As backpack wheels are essential for a rolling backpack, they’re also challenging to clean. Cleaning the wheels of a backpack isn’t a very easy task. With the passing of time, dirt, hairs, and grime build up inside the wheel and make it difficult to move smoothly. 

Give some effort and clean the wheels to make it smooth like before. First, take a bristled brush to remove loose dirt and debris. Use mild soap, water, and a cleaning cloth to clean the backpack fully. 

 What about the hair? The hairs will get stuck inside the wheels of your backpack. So, clean the hairs following the methods: 

Cleaning by tweezers or needle nose pliers: 

These kinds of tools get deep into the backpack wheel’s crevice. You can turn the wheels and pull the hair outside using these tweezers. If you slightly turn the wheels, the hair will simply fall out.

Cleaning by scissors or utility knives: 

The scissor needs to be slim so that it may go inside the gap of the wheels and cut the hair. Pockets knives, razor blades, or utility knives will do the same work. Just turn the wheels and cut the hair as much as possible. 

Furthermore, you won’t be able to remove the hair fully because the chunks will remain. Now, you must use the tweezers to pull out the remaining chunks of hair. 

Cleaning by hooked needles: 

In other words, you can say these needles crochet. This kind of needle can reach under a clump of hair and pull out the hair. 

Cleaning by removing the wheels: 

It is the most effective way. No hair will remain when you remove the wheels from the base. If the wheels are detachable, you can remove them using a screwdriver, and all hair will automatically fall out. 

 Remember that you need to experience removing and installing the wheels again. Don’t do this without any experience. 

In conclusion, you may think cleaning a backpack is very tough, but not at all. It’s a very simple and easy job. Just read my article and try it. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding how to clean a backpack with wheels is a fundamental skill for any traveler. By following the straightforward steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your backpack remains in pristine condition, ready to accompany you on your next adventure. Remember, regular maintenance not only enhances the backpack’s longevity but also ensures your belongings stay safe and clean. So, equip yourself with these essential cleaning techniques, and your trusty travel companion will serve you well for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions