How To Clean Herschel Backpack: Insider Tips

Herschel backpacks are commonly used in our daily life. Most students and travelers prefer to carry their accessories in these backpacks. Therefore, Herschel’s backpacks are too exposed to dust and dirt.

Even though these bags are made of durable materials, incorrect cleaning methods can damage their material and appearance.¹

So here is the proper way to clean the Herschel backpacking.

Process of Cleaning

You can clean all the Herschel products, which include the Herschel wallet, Herschel fanny bag, and Herschel Little America backpack, using the methods discussed below. 

In the process of cleaning, you will find different methods. Which method will you use for your bag? It depends upon:

• How dirty is your bag? 
• Are stains strong?
• Type of material 

There are two methods of cleaning Herschel bags.

1. Hand Washing
2. Machine Washing

Examine the bag’s condition and then go for the appropriate cleaning method.

Things Required to Wash

You will need the following things.

• Mild Soap or Detergent without Bleach
• Soft Sponge or Cloth or Brush
• Vacuum Cleaner
• Washing Machine

Hand Washing

Regular cleaning will keep your bag neat and clean. So, hand washing is considered the safest way for regular cleaning sessions. Here are the easy and straightforward steps for washing your Herschel backpack with your hands.

Empty the Backpack

First of all, remove all the items from the bag. Then, vacuum all the compartments and base of the backpack to ensure that there are no dirt, grass pieces, or any small particles.

Or put your backpack upside down and shake to fall everything inside it.

Spot Cleaning

When you start cleaning, firstly, go for spot cleaning. In this step, you just have to target the area of spots or stains. Damp that area with warm water. Use the sponge and rub on the stains. If the stains are not strong, they will be easily removed.

However, you can use a brush or cleaning cloth instead of a sponge.

Sinking the Bag in Warm Water

If you want to wash the whole bag:

1. Take a tub of water or a water basin.
2. Fill it with warm water.
3. Submerge the bag in the water.
4. Let the water thoroughly soak the bag in it.

Ensure water is not boiling, as it can degenerate the bag’s colors.

Scrub With Mild Soap

Now, put the mild soap on the exterior and interior of your backpack. Use a brush or sponge to scrub the stains.

If the whole bag needs to be cleaned, then rub the bag gently with the sponge. When cleaning the interior parts, put them inside out.

Cool Water to Rinse the Bag

When you are done with the scrubbing, rinse it with cold water. Hold the bag under a running tap. It will wash out the soap residues from the bag. These remnants can cause discoloration after drying.

Machine Washing

Machine washing is the last option for cleaning the bags. When hand washing can’t clean your bag, go for the machine washing. But make sure to set your machine at a specific setting.

• Temperature Must be Low
• Slow Spin Cycle
• Use Cool Water
• Use a Mesh Bag
• Use Gentle Detergent or Soap

Follow the steps below for machine washing.

Empty the Bag

First of all, put everything from your bag out. Even use the vacuum cleaner to suck the small debris or leftovers from the base, compartments, or pockets of backpacks.

Remove all the Extensions

Detach all the removable parts from the backpack, which includes the straps, zippers, or sometimes pockets.

Alternatively, you can put the backpack in the mesh bag. It will protect the bag during spinning.

Put in the Machine

This is a crucial step. Carefully specify the cleaner machine at the setting mentioned above. Now put your bag in the washer. Let it spin for 15 minutes. It will clean the backpack thoroughly.

Remove the Detergent Residues

Now rinse the bag thoroughly under the cold water tap. Ensure no leftover detergent is on both the interior and exterior of the bag.

Drying the Bag

Take a fluffy towel and wrap it around the backpack. This will absorb the water from the backpack.

All the pockets must be open and inside out. Hang the bag upside down in the open air. Give it one or two days. Direct sunlight is harmful to colors, so try to avoid it.

Remove Mold and Bad Smell

As students and travelers frequently use Herschel bags, there may be food leftovers and debris particles inside the bags.

Or maybe backpacks are kept in damp places. From there, they can develop mold. It can produce a terrible smell.

Several materials are used to wash out the mold and smell from the bags.

• Plain White Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Denatured Alcohol
• Bleach

The best materials are vinegar and baking soda. You can use them in both washing methods.

When washing through hands, simply spray the dilute mixture of white vinegar and water on the moldy areas. Then, use a sponge or brush to remove the mold from the backpacks.

However, during the washing through the machine, put a quarter of a spoonful of vinegar in the water. It will not only remove the mold from the bag but also give it a pleasant smell.²

Conclusion

Herschel bags are famous for their durability and functionality. Moreover, due to their aesthetic appeal, they are extensively used.

Through proper cleaning, you can maintain the new look of the bag. However, avoid any aggressive cleaning.

You will also find the appropriate methods to clean the North Face Backpack and JanSport backpacks in this blog.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Article Sources

Bagsbucks provides reliable information with good-quality references to support the facts.

1.  Washing of Pigment Dyed Fabrics – JKSCT ↩︎
2.  Recent Advances in durability of superhydrophobic self-cleaning technology: A critical review – ScienceDirect ↩︎