Does your bag stink like a gym locker or old musty shoes? Nobody likes to be carrying a bag with an unpleasant odor. Thankfully, cleaning and re-smelling your pack requires little effort and can be done quickly and easily.
But what causes backpacks to develop such a terrible smell? In most cases, this occurs as a result of the accumulation of germs and moisture inside the interior over the course of time.
If you don’t take the necessary measures to clean and deodorize your bag, unpleasant odors might permeate its contents for days or even weeks. There are several different options you can try in order to eliminate unpleasant odors from the backpack. Start by spraying it with a solution of a mix of vinegar and water.
This serves to assist in the destruction of any germs that could be the source of the odor. You might also try spritzing baking soda in the bag, as this will assist in absorbing all moisture and getting rid of odors. Finally, remember often to wipe down your backpack with a moist towel to keep it dirt-free and clean.
How to Get the Smell out of a Backpack?
In the next, we will discuss several methods that may be used to eliminate odor from the bag. First, you need to take the outside of the backpack off, and then you need to clean the interior. There are a number of objects and treatments, such as deodorizing spray, that you may use to get rid of the smell that is coming from your baggage.
Get fresh air
There are times when all a backpack has to do to smell better, is to have some fresh air circulate through it. Take the backpack outdoors, open it up, and let it sit there for an entire day. After a couple of hours, please give it a sniff to check whether the odor has changed for the better. If this is the case, you do not need to take any further measures to conceal odors.
Choose a day with good weather to let the bag air out so that it won’t become wet. You could also get the same result by leaving the bag in an open garage or on your shaded porch. Both of these locations would have the same effect.
Don’t forget to take the bag back to the house so you can get a better whiff of the contents. It’s possible that you won’t pick up all of the scents outdoors.
Vinegar and lime mixture
We all have vinegar in our homes, and using it as a cleaning agent is a fairly straightforward process. Put vinegar in a spray bottle and add a couple of lime juice drops to it. Then apply the mixture to the backpack straps along with other facets that smell incredibly unpleasant.
Washing Machine
Before you use your backpack, it is important to thoroughly study the directions that the manufacturer has supplied to decide whether or not it can be washed in a machine. Make sure to give it a thorough cleaning using a cornering attachment on your vacuum, paying particular attention to the crevices and seams.
If your backpack’s manufacturer allows it, you can use a washing machine to remove the straps’ sweating smell. While putting mild detergent in the wash cycle, add into it one cup of vinegar. Set on a gentle cycle using cold water to wash it.
When the cycle is done, hang the backpack so it may dry in the air. This method may be used to eliminate the scent of sweating and restore the straps of the rucksack to like-new condition. Always remember to clean your carry-on bag in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines to extend the life of your pack and prevent damage.
Water & Coca-Cola
If the stain on your backpack is oil-based, you should soak it in the water tub mixed with 24-ounce Coca-Cola. Putting the pack inside a container of scented deodorizer won’t get rid of the smell entirely; all it will do is cover it up. If you do not have approval from the manufacturer, it is possible to destroy the waterproof coating of the backpack by submerging it in water.
Baking Soda
Another option is to put baking soda inside the bag, close the zipper, and let it rest for two to three days in order to eliminate odors. Flip the backpack upside down over a garbage can to remove any extra baking soda, and then clean the inside with a damp towel.
Vinegar & Warm Water
Make a spray bottle combining a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and lukewarm water. Here, you can also add a drop of dish soap and make some suds by stirring it. Now take a clean rag or sponge, dip it in the solution, and squeeze it out. Scrub it all over in the inner backpack. Rewet if needed. Once it’s dried, scrub the inner surface using a clean cloth.
Place a tiny amount of this mixture in a discrete area of the backpack, wait for a while, and then remove it to determine the sort of fabric that was used to make the bag. If you don’t notice any color change or damage, you can use it on the remaining portion of the bag without fear.
You may also put some undiluted vinegar in a spray bottle and use it to give the inner part of your backpack a gentle misting.
Deodorizing Spray
If the odor is still present, use a deodorizing spray available in the shop. Remove the lid and spray a professional odor remover inside the bag once you have opened it. Allow the bag to breathe by leaving it open. Check to determine whether the odor persists after the spray has had time to dry.
A scented product might be used instead, although it could have an overbearing aroma. When deodorizing a backpack, you should just spray the inside with the cleaning solution. It is possible for it to leave a smudge over the exterior, particularly if it is made of leather.
Kitty litter
Leave cat litter in the backpack for one week to remove unpleasant odors. Kitty litter includes deodorizing ingredients and may perform as same as baking soda. Put a little in an empty cup or uncovered plastic container and place it inside the backpack. Seal the zipper and leave the cat litter to absorb the stench for at least a week.
Keep it someplace that won’t be knocked over. If the cat litter drips down, it’ll be tough getting it completely out of the backpack.
Coffee grounds
For the effect of potpourri, use dried coffee grounds. Coffee grounds not only have the ability to absorb odors, but they also give off a pleasant perfume that may mask any lingering smells. Fill dry coffee grounds to the halfway point of a coffee filter. Turn the cap anticlockwise, then secure it using an elastic band.
Following that, make sure the backpack is sealed and leave it lasting one night to check if the unpleasant smell becomes any better.
You can maintain the aroma by keeping the coffee grinds in your backpack for an extended period of time. Make sure the filter is secure and out of the way.
Coffee’s stimulating effects may be amplified by adding flavorings such as hazelnut or French vanilla.
Alcohol and ammonia
Sometimes bacteria create moisture inside the backpack, causing a bad smell. In such a situation, spray the mixture of alcohol or Vodka and ammonia and vent them in the air. This will help kill microbes in seconds.
Dryer Sheet
Keep a dryer sheet inside the backpack to absorb any lingering odors. If the scents weren’t totally removed after washing and deodorizing, then keeping a dryer sheet in it constantly will help conceal any odors that are still present. Spread the sheet out flat on the backpack’s bottom once you’ve opened it.
As soon as the newness of the sheet wears off, replace it with a new one.
How To Clean Backpack
By following several steps, you can make your backpack new again.
- You should unpack your bag. Empty all the pockets and inner chambers. Any dust or grime that has settled on it over time may be easily removed by giving it a good shake. Then apply your vacuum cleaner to get rid of any leftover debris, which is particularly important if you haven’t used the bag in a while.
- Spot-clean any stains on your bag with a moist towel, along with mild dish soap if necessary. Wipe the stain lightly until it disappears, rather than scrubbing it.
- If your bag is extremely dirty, you may want a more powerful cleaning agent. Make sure to use one that is appropriate for the fabric of your bag. Immerse the equipment for ten to fifteen minutes in the prepared solution. Take the bag out of the mixture, and then rinse it with fresh water.
- Now rinse the backpack with clean water. By doing so, you may get rid of any residue from the cleaning process or dirt that was missed. After washing, hang it somewhere with good ventilation so that it may dry fully before putting its contents back into storage.
Cleaning Methods for Different Backpack Materials
How you clean your backpack will vary with its construction material. Some advice on how to handle various fabrics is provided below:
- A mild detergent and warm water are the finest cleaning solution for a nylon backpack. Scrubbing too vigorously might wear down the surface. Instead, gently wipe any spills with a clean towel. After washing, hang it out in a well-ventilated location to air dry, and rinse any traces of soap well.
- For canvas-made backpacks, avoid soaking them while washing. Otherwise, the material can shrink or distort. Spot-clean any obvious spills with a moist cloth and some mild soap. Soak the item in a solution of hot water and washing machine detergent over 5-10 minutes, then gently scrub the stain using a smooth brush. When you’re finished, stretch the bag flat to dry.
- Leather backpacks need special attention while being cleaned. First, clean the fabric with a moist cloth and mild soap to wipe away any loose debris or stains. Following this, brush them out with a gentle brush. Let the backpack air dry after use, preferably in a shaded area. Avoid using excessive amounts of water to prevent the leather from cracking or shrinking.
- If you have a mesh backpack, it’s easy to keep it clean. To clean the fabric, first spray it with lukewarm water mixed with a light detergent, and then gently brush away all of the debris and dirt. Please wait for it to dry completely before putting it away.
How To Prevent Backpack From Smelling
Prevention is the key to keeping your backpack from the awkward smell. A few pointers are as follows:
- Follow the aforementioned procedures to clean your bag on a regular basis.
- It’s essential to separate wet goods (such as your swimmers or your shoes) and dispose of them out of your rucksack as quickly as possible.
- Please ensure that your hands are clean and all food is stored in a sealed bag before packaging it.
Final Thought
So, here we’ve covered you up with- “How to get the smell out of a backpack?” Whether made of canvas, leather, or mesh, keeping your backpack in pristine condition is key to keeping it looking and smelling like new.
Following the aforementioned advice will ensure that your backpack remains in excellent form for as long as possible. If you take proper care of your rucksack, it will continue to look as nice as the day you bought it, even years after you’ve stopped using it.
