Even though it has been decades (almost 45 years) since tote bags became popular in the fashion world, their versatility and durability are what have still kept them mainstream.
People love carrying tote bags, for simple reasons they are easy to carry, are extremely versatile, and come in a variety of fabrics and styles to help people choose one according to their fashion statement. And not to forget — they give luxe vibes, too! As much as we all love flaunting our tote bags, keeping them clean could be a challenge if you don’t have the right tips/tools at your disposal!
When done right, it could give you a bag that looks fresh as if you just got it, but if not, it could lead to color fading, damage, and shrinking! We know that beautiful tote bags are a panacea to your storage problems, hence, we have curated this step-by-step guide on how to wash a tote bag and keep it dirt-free!
How to Wash a Tote Bag: A Comprehensive Guide
Tote bag is not just a fashion accessory, it’s a piece of comfort for many people. The word “tote” in itself means to carry something — and people use them as per their needs to store groceries, day-to-day utilities, gym gear, and even use as a stylish handbag. These bags come in different fabrics, including cotton, leather, denim, jute, canvas, and twill. To make your favorite tote bag last long, it’s important that you clean it frequently, lest you want a bag full of dirt. While a few tote bags can be machine-washed, most of them need to be hand-washed and handled gently with care!
While the steps required to wash a tote bag differ largely based on the fabric, a few steps are common for all types of tote bags:
Step 1: Before diving into washing your bag, make sure to read the care label — that will help you understand washing instructions. Specific considerations like at what temperature the bag should be washed, whether it should be hand washed or machine washed, how it should be dried, what kind of detergent to use, whether the color bleeds, etc. can be deciphered with the help of washing instructions. Once you get acquainted with all this information, you’ll be easily able to clean your tote bag.
Step 2: Before you wash the bag, empty the bag properly, so that nothing gets ruined in the washing process. Sometimes, small particles of dirt and debris get stuck to the sides of the bag or in pockets; so, turn the bag upside down and remove it using a cloth.
Step 3: Even though washing will make the tote bag look clean, it’s advisable to look for tough stains and remove them using a stain remover product before the final cleaning process. This will save you the hassle of getting rid of tough stains later on. To remove stains, you may follow the following steps:
- Take a stain removal and apply a small quantity of it to the dirty spots.
- Use a sponge or a damp cloth to wipe off the stain.
Now that we have understood the basic steps for cleaning tote bags, let’s take a look at “How to clean a tote bag,” based on its fabric:
1. Cotton Tote Bags:
Cotton is one of the most preferred fabrics for apparel and bags — it’s breathable, light, and extremely feather-like to carry.
Usually, cotton tote bags are machine washable and can be washed with cold water and a mild detergent. Make sure to clean the bag in a washing machine using a gentle cycle and you can air-dry it post wash to prevent color fading. For printed bags, it’s better to wash it with your hands using a mild detergent.
2. Leather Tote Bags:
Leather tote bags are always in high demand, owing to the modish look they offer. Cleaning them is easy, too, once you know the right tips. To get a tidy leather tote bag, wipe it with a damp, soft cloth, and tada you are done! If the bag has dirty spots, have a leather cleaner at your disposal and use it to preserve the shine of your bag. Air-drying is the best method to dry a leather bag, but make sure not to keep it in direct sunlight, as doing so can lead to fading.
Read More: Wash And Care Guide to Retain the Beauty of Hand-block Print Garments
3. Canvas Tote Bags:
It’s no rocket science to wash a canvas tote bag — usually, they can be washed in a machine. But, if not, you can simply submerge the bag in cold water and use a mild detergent to wash it. If the bag is imprinted, you need to take extra care — turn the bag inside out to not let any harm come to the prints.
4. Polyester Tote Bags:
After cotton, polyester is another popular choice of fabric among fashion enthusiasts when it comes to clothes and bags. It’s a highly durable fabric that repels moisture and doesn’t need a lot of regular cleaning. But like any other fabric, it needs stain removal too, sometimes, if not frequently.
Polyester tote bags can be machine-washed using a gentle cycle with cool water and a detergent devoid of harsh surfactants. Usage of fabric softeners to clean polyester bags is frowned upon, as they can cause damage to the bags over a period of time. After washing is done, you can air dry the bag!
4. Reusable, Environment-friendly Tote Bags
Sustainable fashion is making rounds everywhere in the world, with people opting for sustainable clothes and bags to do their bit for the environment. Usually, recycled materials and sustainable fibers are used to make reusable tote bags, and washing them can differ from bag to bag. Read the care label before washing these bags and make sure to carefully follow all the instructions. When machine-washing it, ensure that you use gentle cleansers to avoid causing any harm to the fabric.
5. Plastic Tote Bags
To wash a plastic tote bag, you’ll need warm water and dishwashing liquid. Fill a bucket with warm water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to it. Wash the bag in this solution, then rinse under cold water, and air dry it. It’s important to note that this technique would work for bags that have no prints.
How to Dry Tote Bags?
The drying process is as important as the washing process, otherwise, it could make your bag shrink. For most types of bags, air drying is the safest method; you just have to ensure not to put the bag in direct sunlight. However, if you have little time on your hands, you can use a machine dryer (only if the label instructions advise it) — make sure to dry it at the lowest heat setting.
Tote bags are a hit among fashion enthusiasts. They look effortlessly suave, are affordable, and help people store all their necessary items wherever they go. While they look all cute, not cleaning them from time to time can dull their appearance. Our guide on how to wash a tote bag can help you wash your bag with ease and keep it fresh for a long time.
FAQs:
How often should a tote bag be washed?
It depends on how frequently you use it — if you use your tote bag on a daily basis, it’s pivotal to wash once every week. If not and you use it occasionally, it can be washed once in a few months.
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