Pottery Barn is one of the most popular home furnishing store chains around the globe. The company offers all sorts of indoor decorations, from chairs to sheets and bedding.
Yet, that’s not all the store sells. Pottery Barn also has a massive collection of kids’ backpacks.
They come in several shapes and sizes, with a variety of colors and patterns. Plus, the bags are incredibly durable.
However, we all know how rough kids can be with their bags. So, after a couple of months of use, they’ll need a good scrubbing.
At this point, you may wonder, can I wash Pottery Barn backpacks? If that’s your question, then we have an answer for you.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the cleaning process.
What Are Pottery Barn Backpacks Made of?
Figuring out how to clean Pottery Barn backpacks is a simple task. The first step is finding out what they’re made of. For starters, the brand offers a wide selection of bags.
There are styles for men, women, and children.
The vast majority of these sacks consist of recycled polyester. This is a water-proof material that we make out of old plastic bottles.
Because of that, the fabric is durable and can handle a lot of wear and tear.
Moving on, Pottery Barn makes some of the backpacks out of cotton. These bags are hypoallergenic and feel incredibly soft to the touch.
Finally, the brand also uses Oeko-certified fabrics to produce a few bags. This is a delicate material that’s non-hazardous and doesn’t contain any toxic substances.
That’s what makes it the ideal choice for small children.
How Can You Clean Pottery Barn Backpacks?
Pottery Barn designs its bags for heavy daily use. Yet, when children enter the mix, it’ll be tough to keep the backpacks clean.
That’s because the little critters are experts at spilling their lunch or playing in the mud. So, after a few months of constant use, the bags need a thorough scrubbing.
Thankfully, there are a couple of ways you can go about doing that. Depending on the material, your choice of cleaning solution will change.
First up, if you have a polyester bag, you can directly throw it in the washing machine. The fabric should be durable enough to handle a full spin cycle.
The same applies to cotton, but you may need to use a higher temperature.
Yet, with Oeko-certified fabrics, you’ll need to change your strategy. This material is too fragile to last in the washer.
Because of that, you have to clean it by hand.
To stay on the safe side, it’s always a good idea to read the care instructions that come with the backpack. They’ll list all the washing rules in detail.
How to Wash Pottery Barn Backpacks in the Washing Machine?
We all know how doing the laundry can be quite a chore. Yet, cleaning your backpack in the washing machine should be a breeze.
All you have to do is follow a few simple steps and special care labels and your bag will be as good as new.
Step 1: Prepare Your Backpack
Right off the bat, the first step is prepping your backpack for the cleaning. To do that, start by emptying the bag and dusting it off.
Next, turn the sack upside down and give it a good shake. This should loosen up any crumbs or debris that’s stuck at the bottom.
Then, remove any detachable components. That may include keychains, straps, extra pockets, or other accessories.
Step 2: Pretreat Your Backpack
Once the backpack is empty, you can start pretreating it. That involves covering stains with a mild detergent.
This will make getting rid of blotches much easier.
For this step, you can use any stain remover. Yet, if you don’t have one on hand, you can mix your own.
To do that, add one part dish soap to two parts hydrogen peroxide. Then, spray any stain with a generous amount of the solution and let it sit for a few minutes.
Finally, use a damp cloth to scrub the stains and remove them.
Step 3: Cover Your Backpack
At this point, the backpack is ready for the washing machine. Yet, before you turn on the machine, it’s best to cover your bag.
You have to remember, backpacks come with a few solid components. This includes the zippers and any other hardware.
These parts can snag on the washer drum and lead to a few issues. So, to ensure your machine stays intact, place the backpack in a mesh laundry bag.
You can also use a pillowcase in a pinch.
Step 4: Wash Your Backpack
Now, you can simply throw the backpack into the washer. Set the machine to a gentle cycle with cold water.
Then, add your favorite laundry detergent and hit the start button.
You can use warm or hot water for cotton bags. This should reduce the washing time.
Yet, if the water gets too hot, you may end up shrinking the backpack. So, to stay on the safe side, it’s best to always use cold water.
Step 5: Air Dry Your Backpack
After the gentle cycle ends, you’ll need to let your backpack dry. Some people like to use the dryer, but that can do more harm than good.
The high heat will deform your backpack and render it useless.
So, hang the bag upside down in a well-ventilated area. Let the backpack air dry for at least 24 hours before you pack it back up.
How to Wash Pottery Barn Backpacks by Hand?
Some pottery barn backpacks come with a no-washing-machine care label. That’s because the fabric or dye used to make the bag is sensitive to heat.
So, in that case, you’ll need to clean the bag by hand.
Step 1: Prepare Your Backpack
Just like with the washer, you’ll need to prepare your bag. Begin by emptying it, then removing any detachable components.
Next, turn the backpack upside down and shake it around for a minute or two.
After that, grab a soft-bristled brush with a long handle and go over the entire surface of the bag. Your goal here is to remove any excess dust that collected on the surface.
Then grab a soft cloth and wipe down your bag.
If you use the backpack for the gym, chances are it’ll be a hotspot for microorganisms. So, it’s best to sterilize the bag before you clean it.
To do that, all you’ll need are a couple of disinfectant wipes. Use these to clean both the inside and outside of the bag.
Step 2: Pretreat Your Backpack
Since you won’t use a washer, pretreating the backpack is incredibly crucial. Otherwise, it’ll be exceptionally challenging to get rid of stubborn stains.
For that reason, find any blotches on the bag and spray them with a generous amount of stain remover.
Once that’s done, give your backpack about 15 to 20 minutes to soak up the solution.
Step 3: Fill a Container With Soapy Water
For this step, turn your attention to finding a suitable container for your backpack. You’ll need a vessel that’s large enough to submerge the bag.
Ideally, you should use your bathtub. For starters, the space should be roomy and can accommodate the bag.
Other than that, it has tall sides. This should provide you with an excellent splash guard as you work.
Put the bathtub stopper in place and fill the vessel with water. Most of the time, you should use cold water for this step.
Yet, some bags call for warm water. So, don’t forget to read the care instructions to figure out what temperature to use.
Finally, add a few drops of mild detergent and swish the water around until it bubbles.
Step 4: Soak Your Backpack
With your bathtub ready, you can start soaking. Place the backpack in the tub and push it down as far as it’ll go.
You want to make sure that the warm water penetrates all the fabric. So, use your hands to stretch out the bag and spread the water everywhere.
Next, let the backpack sit in the soapy water for about half an hour.
Step 5: Rinse and Dry Your Backpack
After about 30 minutes, remove the stopper from the tub and let the water drain. Then, using clean, cold water, rinse off the backpack.
You may need to repeat this process several times with clean water to get rid of all the mild detergent.
Once that’s done, allow your backpack to air dry upside down for about 24 hours.
Wrapping Up
Can I wash Pottery Barn backpacks? The simple answer to this question is yes, there are a couple of ways to clean the bags.
The method you choose will depend on the material of the backpack. If you have a cotton or polyester backpack, then you can use the washer.
Yet, for Oeko-certified fabrics, hand washing is the way to go.