Tote bags can be used in a variety of situations, from going out on holidays to sub-bags for commuting, and by taking proper care of them, you can prevent them from losing their shape and wrinkles, and you can use them for a long time in pristine condition.
This time, we will explain how to wash tote bags by material, supervised by laundry expert Rie Hirashima.
Most bags and bags can be washed at home, but there are some points to keep in mind depending on the material.
In order to keep your favorite bag in good condition for a long time, learn the correct washing method that is suitable for the material.
How to wash tote bags by material
Depending on the material, bags are divided into those that can be washed with water and those that cannot.For items that can be washed with water, use a method that suits the material to avoid damaging the fabric.
Cotton material (canvas, canvas, etc.)
Cotton materials such as canvas and canvas are often used for tote bags.
The fabric is thick and durable, but it wrinkles and loses its shape easily when washed, so be sure to wash it quickly.
Spot clean only dirty areas
If you are concerned about dirt on the handles or corners of the bag, we recommend spot washing.If there is a pattern printed on it, it may come off due to detergent or friction, so it is best to spot wash it as much as possible.
- Bar soap or fashionable neutral detergent
- toothbrush
- 2 towels
- 2 hangers
[How to wash]
- Wet the dirty area with water and apply bar soap or mild detergent.
- Gently scrub the dirt with a toothbrush.
- Wipe thoroughly with a wet towel so that no detergent remains.
- Finally, remove moisture with a dry towel, hang each handle on a hanger and dry in the shade in a well-ventilated place with the bag open.
Wash the whole thing
If the entire tote bag is dirty and you really want to wash it, we recommend soaking it in the wash.- A container large enough to fit a tote bag
- Stylishly worn neutral detergent
- toothbrush
- towel
- eraser
- 2 hangers
[How to wash]
- Rub some blackheads with an eraser to remove them.
Be careful not to rub too much as this will damage the fabric. - Fill a container (such as a washing tub) large enough to fit your tote bag with water and add a small amount of fashionable neutral detergent.
- Soak the tote bag in the cleaning solution.
If your bag is printed, turn it inside out and soak it. - Leave it on for about 30 minutes, then gently press the tote bag with your palm to wash it.
Gently scrub away stubborn stains with a toothbrush. - Rinse the cleaning solution, fill the container with fresh water, and try washing again.
Repeat until no bubbles appear. - Once the detergent has been thoroughly rinsed off, press gently with your hand to drain the water, then press a dry towel against it and absorb the water with the towel.
- Adjust the shape by gently tapping the bag to smooth out the wrinkles.
- In a well-ventilated place, hang each handle on a hanger and dry in the shade with the bag open.
Made of nylon (school bags, business bags, etc.)
It is water and dirt resistant, lightweight, and easy to use, making it popular for a wide range of uses such as school bags, business bags, backpacks, and eco bags.For nylon bags, it is important to soak them before washing them.
You can easily wash it at home.
Things to prepare
- A container large enough to fit a tote bag
- Stylishly worn neutral detergent
- toothbrush
- towel
- 2 hangers
[How to wash]
- Make a cleaning solution by filling a container (such as a washing tub) with water and adding a small amount of fashionable neutral detergent.
- Unzip all the zippers and leave them in the cleaning solution for about 30 minutes.
- Gently press and wash.
Use a toothbrush to scrub any areas that are concerned about dirt. - After washing, rinse with clean water 2-3 times until there are no more bubbles.
- Wrap it in a towel and remove the moisture.
- With the zipper open, hang each handle on a hanger and dry the bag in the shade with the bag open.
leather bag
Leather material is sensitive to water and detergents, so avoid washing it with water.If you are concerned about dirt, apply a special cleaner to a cloth or towel and wipe gently.
After wiping off the dirt, polish it with a soft cloth such as a stocking to make it shine.
Can you wash tote bags in the washing machine? !
We have introduced how to hand wash each material, but many of you may think that it would be easier if you could wash it in a washing machine.Bags and bags made of cotton can also be washed in a washing machine.
However, there is a risk of wrinkles, discoloration, and loss of shape, so we recommend hand-washing if you want to preserve the shape and texture.
Check the washing label before washing in the washing machine
If there is a tag on the bag that tells you how to wash it, check it as it will tell you how to wash it, the appropriate water temperature, and whether or not it can be bleached.If there is an X on the bucket, it cannot be washed with water.
It is important to check carefully before washing to avoid damaging the fabric.
If there is no washing label, check the material to determine if it can be washed.
How to wash a tote bag in the washing machine
Things to prepare
- Stylishly worn neutral detergent
- laundry net
- towel
- 2 hangers
How to wash
- Place the bag in a laundry net that matches the size of the bag.
If it has a pattern printed on it, turn it inside out and put it in the net. - Use a neutral detergent and wash by hand or dry cycle.
Take it out without dehydrating it, as this may cause wrinkles and loss of shape. - Press a towel to remove moisture.
- Hang each handle on a hanger and dry the bag in the shade with the bag open.
Precautions when washing to avoid wrinkles
Some of you may have experienced your bag getting wrinkled when you washed it.Depending on the fabric, wrinkles may become more noticeable after washing.
We will explain the precautions to be taken to avoid wrinkles as much as possible.
Do not dehydrate in washing machine
Avoid using the washing machine's dehydration function.Although it can remove moisture quickly, it can cause deformation and wrinkles.
Wipe off the water using a towel.
Pat to smooth out wrinkles before drying
When hanging your tote bag to dry after washing, be sure to smooth out any wrinkles before drying it.If you hang it to dry with wrinkles, it will dry in its original shape.
It is difficult to remove wrinkles once they have formed, so it is important to smooth out wrinkles while the fabric is wet.
Use both hands to pat it down or pull it gently to shape it, then hang it to dry.
How to thoroughly remove yellowing and dark stains
Yellowing and dark stains are common in tote bags, especially those made of canvas.
How should I wash it to remove this annoying stain?
What causes yellowing and dark stains?
Particularly on the handle, yellowing and dark stains can be seen.This is caused by sebum stains such as sweat and dirt from your hands.
If you leave stains for a long time, the dirt will penetrate deep into the fabric and the accumulated dirt will turn yellow and darken.
Also, exposure to UV rays when the detergent is not completely removed can also cause yellowing.
When washing, be sure to rinse thoroughly so that no detergent remains.
Remove all dirt with Rinenna's soaking detergent
Rinenna #1 is a laundry detergent made with a focus on "dirt that comes from the body".We carefully select and blend cleaning ingredients to thoroughly remove the substances that cause dirt and odors from your clothes.
Therefore, it also removes sebum stains from the bag.
Things to prepare
- Rinenna#1
- A container large enough to fit a tote bag
- toothbrush
- towel
- 2 hangers
How to wash
- For heavily soiled areas, dissolve Rinenna #1 into a paste and gently wash with a toothbrush.
- Add 2/3 spoonful of Rinenna #1 to 2 liters of 40℃ hot water and stir well.
- Keep the bag firmly attached.
If the bag floats, use a plastic bottle filled with water to weigh it down. - Gently press and wash.
- Drain the soaking liquid, fill the container with fresh water, and press wash again.
Repeat until no bubbles appear. - Press a dry towel against it and absorb the moisture with the towel.
- Shape the bag by gently tapping it to remove any wrinkles, then hang each handle on a hanger and dry it in the shade so that the mouth of the bag opens.
Testimonials from customers who washed their tote bags with linenna
We would like to introduce you to the comments we received from @takimoto_manami , @ig.o.styk , and @natural_minalife who actually washed tote bags with Rinenna #1.Convenient goods that make housework easier
Before｜The tote bag was dull and dirty all over, and I was wondering if I should get rid of it...
Posted by @takimoto_manami Hello ♡ . . Today we are talking about goods that make housework easier ☺︎ . . I tried out @rinennanewyork's main laundry detergent ✳︎ . . ORCIVAL which I bought over 2 years ago bag.
Although I was concerned about the overall dirtiness.
. . Up until now, I had only experienced canvas bags that didn't feel very clean even after washing them, and they only felt stiffer, so I was wondering what was wrong with them (^^;; . . This time, I dissolved them in lukewarm water. I soaked it in Rinenna's detergent for 40 minutes.
After｜The dirt is completely removed and even the washing tub is clean!
I was really happy with the results as it removed not only small stains that I didn't know where they came from, but also the overall fuzzy dirt ♡ . I didn't have to use a brush or scrub at all.
◎Before and after images are images without any processing such as brightness☺︎ . We live with two adults, so there aren't many stubborn stains, but ▪️Those who are worried about stubborn stains
▪️Those of the child-rearing generation
▪️It might also be recommended for those in the nursing care generation.
The package is cute, it's cute when you open it, it smells nice, and it not only removes dirt, but also cleans the washing tub, so I thought it would make a great gift ♡ .
For now, I think I'll share it with my daughter ☺︎ . Actually, I was thinking of getting rid of it soon, but now that it's so beautiful, I'm thinking of using it a little more ✳︎
Posted by @takimoto_manami (from Instagram)
The yellowing that didn't come off no matter how many times I washed it is now pure white!
Before｜My favorite bag is dirty...
Posted by @ig.o.styk I tried the @rinennanewyork laundry detergent, which removes dirt and odors just by leaving it on without rubbing, so I'm going to report back ___ ✍
First, add a spoonful of detergent to 2L of 40℃ hot water and wait for about 30 minutes - about 1 hour (I forgot I had left it on and left it on for half a day) After soaking, run the washing machine as usual. only
After｜Not only does it remove dirt, but it also prevents musty odor from the washing machine and has a sterilizing effect!
This time, I bought my favorite Lee bag last year, and I couldn't get the stains and stains off it no matter how many times I washed it, but the stains were removed well, and the yellowing that I hadn't noticed before was also removed, and the whole thing turned white, which I was impressed with (﹡ˆoˆ ﹡)
What's more, if you add linen when doing laundry, it will prevent moldy odors in the washing machine and even have an antibacterial effect ← Best of all, the packaging is so cute that it makes a great gift for baby showers, housewarmings, etc. ☝️
(They also do great gift wrapping)
Posted by @ig.o.styk (from Instagram)
Wrapped in the refreshing scent of mandarin citrus
Before｜Even though I thought I had taken care of it frequently, it was actually so dirty...
Posted by @natural_minalife First of all, from the moment I opened the box, I had a soft mandarin citrus scent.I like citrus scents, so this scent is my favorite...! It makes me want to do laundry...! ① Soak it ② Put it in the washing machine In 2 steps, the dirt is surprisingly removed and the result is clean. When soaking it in a washing liquid made by dissolving powdered detergent in hot water, it gets a little slimy, so it's best not to do it with your bare hands. I think it's recommended
After｜Amazing whiteness in 2 easy steps!
I thought I had washed my bag frequently, but I was surprised at how much dirt was removed after leaving it on for about an hour.After drying, the scent didn't linger on some parts of my work clothes, men's dress shirts, and children's clothes. I thought it would be nice to be able to use it as well.The packaging is cute and it is also recommended as a gift.Please check it out.
Posted by @natural_minalife (from Instagram)
Stains that can't be removed no matter what you do...before you give up and throw them away
Before｜Stains that did not come off even with bleach...
Posted by @meguri.k
My daughter's white clothes were stained with food spills...I couldn't get them off no matter what I did, so I gave up... ・It had been quite a while, so I thought I wouldn't be able to get them off...but...oh my goodness! It came off cleanly✨ ・Even though I applied bleach, it didn't come off! ! amazing! ! What's more, you just leave it on without rubbing it in! ! ! ! ! ! (Dissolve it in 40 degrees hot water and leave it for about an hour → put it in the washing machine) ・ DEAN & DELUCA's cold bag also has this stain...After｜I just left it on without massaging it and it came off clean!
I was thinking of giving up and throwing it away, but I just put this on and it looks so beautiful ✨ ・ I don't have to scrub it, so I don't have to worry about damaging the fabric ♀️ It's so much easier ♫ ・ Does not use fluorescent agents. It's silicon-free, so you can safely use it on baby's clothes. Honestly, I think it's a little expensive for a laundry detergent. I thought so, but when I tried it out, it was worth the price! ! !・ The packaging is cute, so it would be great as a baby gift ✨ ・ It's a housewife (househusband)'s friend to know that just by "putting it on" it will fall off so much ✨ ＊ ＊ Posted by @meguri.k (from Instagram) ＊ ＊ ＊
A magical powder detergent that cleans your skin just by leaving it on.
Before｜Eco bag that got mud splattered on it...
Posted by @__sno.w
@rinennanewyork's main laundry detergent. Every day I struggle with children's paint, food spills, and other dirt that I don't really understand lol This # is a magical powdered detergent that will clean just by soaking it in. . . My poor eco bag got splashed with mud on the way home from shopping.After｜No need to wash and will not damage the fabric
Just by dipping it in, it turned out so beautiful‥✨ . Since the formula is strong against protein stains, it also cleaned up stains on the collars and sleeves of shirts, and of course stains left by children♀️ . I always have Sesqui and Oxy on hand, but I'm worried about their cleaning power and damage to the fabric, so they're pretty versatile! I can't say that. But this one doesn't require washing, so it won't damage the fabric or the skin on your hands, and it's made with ingredients that are safe enough to be used on baby's clothes, so you can use it with confidence.The packaging is stylish, too, so it might make a nice little gift . Posted by __sno.w (from Instagram) ＊ ＊ ＊
I wanted it sooner! Don't be afraid of stubborn dirt
Before｜Stubborn stains that don’t come off easily…
Posted by @kaju1107
A detergent that can be soaked without scrubbing ♡ I tried it from @rinennanewyork ♡ Honestly... I was singing about this kind of thing ♡ It really doesn't remove stubborn stains ♡ What's more, you can't just leave it soaked ♡ ♡ But I tried following the directions, but before the soaking time...I noticed that it had turned white! ♡ Then, when the soaking time came, I put it in the washing machine as usual.After｜No scrubbing, just leave it on and it turns white!
It might be hard to tell before → after, but it turned white!! No scrubbing ✨ It's amazing ♡ Easy ~ Helpful ~ I wanted it sooner ~ ♡ It was fashionable from the moment it arrived, it was fashionable whether you opened it or not, and what's inside is also the best ✨It's time✨ ♡ I'm still worried about white things and socks (lol) I'll have the stubborn stains removed ~✨✨✨ ＊ ＊ Posted by @kaju1107 (from Instagram) ＊ ＊ ＊
Before you give up and think you have no choice but to throw away your dirty tote bag, why not clean it once by washing it in a way that suits the material.
