Can You Wash a Jansport Backpack? 

Jansport backpacks are a popular and versatile pack especially among students. They will inevitably get dirty with use, but many wonder if it’s washable.

Jansport recommends hand cleaning with a cloth dampened in cool water for getting rid of stains and dirt. They advise against using a washing machine since doing so can damage the shape and fabric. Harsh detergents and ingredients should never be used.

There are other things to keep in mind if you need to wash a Jansport backpack. Read on below to learn more.

How Do You Wash a Jansport Backpack?

Jansport backpacks are made from high-quality materials put together with durable construction. They are not cheap, which is why it’s important to take proper care of them especially when it comes to washing and cleaning.

Jansport announced in their website that using a washing machine is never recommended. Hand wash is always best since it reduces the risk of compromising the bag’s fabric and shape. Many of the popular Jansport backpacks are made with 600D polyester and Cordura, which require extra care when cleaning, such as:

• Jansport Right Pack
• Jansport Big Student Backpack
• Jansport Superbreak Backpack

What You'll Need

Here’s a list of materials you will need for cleaning Jansport backpacks; these are inexpensive and can readily be found on Amazon (note: we earn a small commission from Amazon for items purchased):

Cleaning Cloth

A cleaning cloth for gentle hand cleaning of your backpack.

• Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
• Nanotowels Cleaning Cloth
• Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths  

Soft fabric cleaning brush

A soft fabric cleaning brush for scrubbing stubborn stains.

• The Laundress Stain Brush
• Oxo Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set
• BFWood Laundry Stain Brush

Spot cleaner

A spot cleaner for removing tougher stains.

• Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover
• Good Life Solutions All-Purpose Cleaner
• Puracy Natural Stain Remover

Suede and leather cleaner

Some suede and leather cleaner for these parts of the backpack.

• Sof Sole Suede and Nubuck Leather Shoe Cleaner
• Bickmore Suede & Nubuck Cleaner
• Saphir Omnidaim Nubuck & Suede Cleaner

Vacuum cleaner

A vacuum cleaner with hose attachment for cleaning dirt stuck in the corners and base of the backpack.

• Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner
• Black + Decker Dustbuster
• Black + Decker 20V Max Handheld Vacuum

The Process

Here's the steps to wash stains and dirt from your Jansport backpack:

1. Remove all the contents of the backpack, ensuring nothing has been left even in the pockets. Turn the backpack inside out then upside down, shaking it gently on top of a garbage can to get rid of dirt and debris.
2. If there is stubborn dirt and dust that you can’t seem to remove from the corners and backpack base, use the hose attachment of a vacuum or a small handheld vacuum to get rid of it. 
3. Next, remove stains and dirt on the fabric through gentle hand cleaning. A soft cloth dampened in cool water then softly rubbed throughout the backpack should be enough for getting rid of surface dirt. However, if it has stubborn stains, spray some bleach-free spot cleaner on the bristles of a soft brush to remove it.
4. If the suede or leather parts of the Jansport backpack are dirty, use a soft brush to apply some suede and leather cleaner on the affected area. Brush as gently as you can, following the manufacturer’s directions.
5. Hang your Jansport backpack to let it dry away from the sun.

Always avoid touching the leather and suede trim when cleaning with water or spot cleaner. These parts of the backpack may end up discolored if they get wet.

It’s recommended to give your backpack a gentle cleaning every month for maintenance to avoid buildup of stubborn dirt and stains, especially if you use it daily.

Conclusion

Regularly cleaning your Jansport backpack is an important way to keep it looking good and new. While machine wash is not recommended, all you need is a few minutes of hand cleaning and spot treatment.