Fortunately, many of the typical tote and backpack-style diaper bags, like those from JuJuBe and Eddie Bauer, are constructed from synthetic materials that can be machine-washed. Here’s how to thoroughly clean your diaper bag made of synthetic material:
- Take everything out of the bag. Throw away any rubbish and store anything extra. Shake it vigorously a few times to get rid of any bits of food or debris before turning it inside out and upside down (if possible) over a trash can.
- Both the inside and exterior of your bag should be vacuumed to remove any remaining debris or pet hair.
- Place it on a clean surface, such as a towel. Keep your bag in the inside-out position if you did.
- Any removable straps should be taken off and stored.
- Use your preferred stain remover to pretreat all inner and external stains on the first side of your bag. Synthetic textiles like nylon respond incredibly well to washing with Blue Coral Upholstery Cleaner. With silk, suede, and leather, however, avoid using this. Shout, OxiClean, or Buncha Farmers Stain Stick are a few additional popular and effective stain removers.
- Give it at least five minutes to sit.
- Scrub previously treated regions in a circular motion with an old toothbrush.
- Utilize a fresh towel to dry.
- Steps 6-9. Turn your bag over and repeat them.
- Repeat steps 6 through 9 on the straps if they are made of the same material as the bag (i.e., they are not leather or suede).
- If you can, wash your bag in the machine or by hand. Before washing, remove any flaps and zippers. If possible, wash inside out. I advise using your washing machine’s gentle/hand wash cycle with cold water and an additional rinse to get rid of all the suds. Use a mesh washing bag if your machine has an inside rotator to prevent damage to the bag.
- Dry by hanging. Once more, when drying, leave all zippers and pockets open. Also, dry in a well-ventilated space away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading.
How can I eliminate the odor from my diaper bag?
Here is the quick and simple step-by-step instruction manual for bags that only require a minor touch-up. Most bags may be cleaned using this straightforward process. Take a moment to read the manufacturer’s labeling on the inside of your bag before diving in, though. Trust the information on the label. It’s unlikely that the manufacturer will respect the warranty if you clean your luggage improperly and it becomes damaged as a result.
- Empty your bag of everything within, including any sections with zippers or snaps, and throw away ANYTHING that is damaged or past its expiration date.
- Remove the bottom panel from your bag if it has one, then flip it inside-out to shake out any extra dirt that may be hiding in the seams or corners.
- To remove any lint, errant crumbs, etc. from the interior, vacuum it or wipe it off with a damp cloth or baby wipe.
- Put a tiny, opened box of baking soda inside the bag, if you have the time, and leave it there overnight. Your bag will once again smell fresh and new because to the baking soda’s ability to absorb and eliminate scents. (If your bag smells very bad, it might be more effective to sprinkle baking soda inside the bag, in the pockets, and in the compartments. Shake out the bag and vacuum any remaining powder after letting it sit for the night.
- Remove the box and place the bag back inside out after the baking soda has finished its work. Reshape your bag by shaking it.
- To disinfect, softly mist the interior with white vinegar, then let it air dry. When the bag is dry, the vinegar odor will have vanished (about 5 minutes.)
- change out the bottom panel.
- Restock with necessities, checking that everything is current, sealed properly, and functionally sound.
That was simple. And that ought to have just taken ten or fifteen minutes of your time. But there will be times when you have to work with your bag directly. dirty diapers, spilled sippy cups, and neglected burping rags The list might go on forever. All of us have been there. When our infant is ill, when we’re pressed for time, or when we’re having one of those days where we seem to forget everything, our best intentions are put on the back burner. That’s OK. Life takes place. Here’s a cleaning guide.
Diaper Bag CleaningAdvanced
You must first ascertain the type of material your bag is constructed of. Each choice has benefits and drawbacks, but with a little more work, they can all be cleaned effectively.
Cleaning Cloth, Plastic, or Vinyl Bags
If your bag is made of cloth, you can probably wash it in warm water with mild soap. However, some cloth bags aren’t color safe, so it’s a good idea to test a tiny area first to make sure it will withstand your cleaning agents. then adhere to the instructions below.
- Apply the first three guidelines from Diaper Bag Cleaning 101.
- Find any stains (interior and exterior.) Start by scraping out the dried, hardened crumbs from crusty food stains with your knife. Don’t scratch or dig too deeply. Instead of gouging or scratching the surface, you only want to flake off the crumbs.
- Apply some warm water-dampened cloth to the remaining stain.
- If the stain persists after being treated with warm water, dab a damp rag with a drop of mild soap (dishwasher liquid or whatever you use to wash your baby’s clothes) and gently wipe the spot in a circular motion.
- To get rid of the soap, dab the soapy area with a clean cloth dipped in warm water.
- Dry off the area or regions.
- Baking soda should be used if the stain is STILL present after the fabric has completely dried. (To save time, you can omit the step using mild soap and water if you think the stain will be particularly difficult to remove; nevertheless, in my experience, most stains can be removed using simply this method.)
- Just enough water should be added to a tiny amount of baking soda to create a thick paste.
- With a rag or an old toothbrush, carefully apply the paste onto the stain and allow it to sit for 510 minutes.
- Take your knife and carefully scrape away the paste once it starts to dry.
- Rub the leftover paste carefully in a circular motion with your rag and warm water to remove it.
- Dry the bag out.
- If the stain still won’t go away after the baking soda treatment, you may need to use Magic Eraser or your go-to stain remover. Don’t forget to spot test the cloth first to make sure it can withstand the remover’s agents before following the instructions on your remover.
- After cleaning your bag, softly mist the interior with white vinegar to disinfect it, then let it air dry. When the bag is dry, the vinegar odor will have vanished (about 5 minutes.)
Some bags advertise their machine-washability. Although it may seem fantastic, I don’t always feel at ease washing bags in the machine. Not every machine functions in the same way. Different people are gentler than others. If in doubt, wash your bag by hand using either the spot-cleaning technique described above or by soaking it for 10 to 15 minutes in a large bucket or sink to remove any dirt and stains. The bag should then be reshaped, shaken out, and hung to dry. Try hanging your purse outside in the sun if the fabric is fade-resistant. Additionally to disinfecting naturally, sunlight will leave your luggage smelling great!
Cleaning Leather Bags
Although leather bags offer advantages, they do require special maintenance. It’s crucial that you adhere to the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations if your leather bag requires intensive cleaning. Always clean a test area to ensure that the cleaning solutions won’t harm the bag, and then proceed with caution. Having said that, taking care of your leather purse shouldn’t cause you to be alarmed. You did purchase a leather bag because of its longevity, after all. Right. So let’s get going.
- Place the open box of baking soda inside the bag and let it work its magic overnight if the interior smells musty or soiled.
- Remove the box and start working on the exterior of the bag after the baking soda has absorbed and neutralized any scents.
- If you want to clean the bag, lightly rub the inside surfaces with a cloth dampened with white vinegar, being careful not to get any vinegar on the outer leather that can be seen.
- Find any stains on the bag’s outside and treat them in accordance with the directions on your leather cleaner. Be gentle and take your time.
- It’s time to condition the leather after you’ve washed it. To keep the leather hydrated and stop cracks and splits, do this at least twice a year.
- After conditioning the bag, give it a quick wipe with a soft cloth or chamois to polish it and restore its brand-new appearance.
A Word on Mold
You DO NOT want to interact with mold. It could be necessary to have the bag professionally cleaned if you discover mold within or if there is a noticeably unpleasant stench. Mold should be removed from your luggage because it could be quite hazardous. Your infant and all of his supplies need to be kept away from anything that awful. Bring your suspected moldy bag to a professional cleaner so they may inspect it.
The Final Touch
It’s time to reorganize your diaper bag’s contents in whatever way feels the most organized to you, now that it smells nice and fresh (or at least doesn’t smell like old juice and wet diapers) and smells like flowers. Then, pause for a moment to acknowledge your accomplishments. (It won’t be that way for too long!) And keep in mind that spending a few minutes every few weeks or so cleaning up can spare you a lot of frustration in the long run. If you respect your bag, it will serve you well for many years to come.
Petunia Pickle bottoms: Are they worthwhile?
We really wanted to gush over the Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack because it is so fashionable, made of high-quality materials, and clearly a durable bag. However, it received bad marks for weight, storage, and convenience of use. Even though it weighs 3 lbs. and is big and heavy, there isn’t much room. The interior is deep, and access is made challenging by the zipper’s small entrance. Only a convenient key clip on the inside of the bag is designated as a place exclusively for storing personal goods. Additionally, the excess velcro seriously detracts from the aesthetic of this backpack. You must use some energy to rip apart a huge Velcro fastening that is really loud and will undoubtedly awaken a sleeping baby in order to enter the interior. Additionally fastened with velcro are the accessories pouch and washable changing mat. Despite being made of lovely materials, we think Petunia Pickle Bottom’s Boxy Backpack is ultimately disappointing. It is a large, uncomfortable bag to use, and it is heavy. Instead, have a look at the Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared for a high-end bag with improved storage that is comparable in quality and cutting-edge materials.
Our Analysis and Test Results
When it comes to diaper bags, the Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack is extremely attractive. It is appealingly elegant for its diaper duties and offers a bewildering selection of 19 lovely patterns and high-quality cloth. Chenille, brocade, and glazed are the three fabrics available. The only fabric with a matte-coated PVC-free canvas that is wipeable and water-repellent is Glazed (seen here in Misted Marseille). Even though you are paying a high amount ($189) for this exquisite item, you probably won’t be enthusiastic about using it because it is difficult to use, has limited storage, and weighs 3 lbs.
We appreciate that you can wear it on your back, your shoulder, or across your body like a messenger bag. However, this bag is hefty empty and none of the straps offer any additional padding.
We were dissatisfied with the access and storage. There are only 2 uninsulated bottle compartments on the exterior, not much else. To get to anything within this bag, you must access the interior, which is a difficult operation. A messenger flap that is fastened to a wide swath of velcro and requires loud effort to open is required to access the bag’s interior. Not suitable for babies who are sleeping. After accomplishing this, you can fold out and zip down the changing pad station. Although the pad may be machine washed, it is difficult to wipe. A large band of velcro must be removed in order to remove the pad. It’s fantastic that the interior has a water-resistant liner. The liner should be spot cleaned, as advised. We did run upon a mother who air dried her bag after washing it in the washing machine, but Petunia does not advise this. Additionally, the Boxy Backpack includes a wipes case that fits neatly into one of the two bigger pockets in the changing area and carries about four size 4 diapers in the other. A binkie or some diaper cream can fit in another tiny pocket. The amount of storage in this space is roughly limited to that.
The main compartment zips open to expose a small compartment that is even smaller due to the hefty diaper change station pushing the inside compartment inward. There are two additional bottle pockets, two storage pockets, a key chain connection, and one zipped accessory pouch that is again linked with velcro. Once these pockets are full, there is very little room for anything more to fit. The interior of the bag we evaluated is so little and deep that it feels like trying to find something in a black hole, despite the fact that the lining is a light grey.
On a label inside the Boxy Backpack, Petunia Pickle Bottom issues the following caution:
“1) Tying this diaper bag to the handlebars of a stroller could make it unstable and cause it to topple over, endangering you and your child’s safety as well as the stroller’s. 2) Before securing the diaper bag to a stroller, make sure to read the directions that came with both the bag and your baby’s stroller. 3) Before putting a child in the stroller, always fasten the loaded diaper bag to it.”
We appreciate the idea of a backpack diaper bag, but the Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack falls short in terms of usability and functionality. Numerous materials increase weight without improving functionality. In summary, the Boxy Backpack is bulky, awkwardly boxy, and has little capacity.