Show your tote bags some love with our easy-to-follow washing instructions.
Adam Albright
Canvas tote bags are workhorses.
However, its easy to overlook cleaning these frequently used bagsleaving them looking dirty and dingy.
Credit:Adam Albright
Aim to wash your everyday tote bags every one to three months.
Canvas tote bags that are used less frequently can be washed on an as-needed basis.
Empty Tote Bag and Make Repairs
Before washing a canvas tote bag, empty its contents.
Check the bag for damage and make any necessary repairs, such asmending ripsor snipping loose threads.
Wash in Cold Water
After applying a stain pretreatment, launder the bag incold waterusing thegentle cycle.
Reshape and Dry
After washing, reshape the bag and allow it to air-dry.
Never put a canvas totein the dryer.
Optional: Iron the Bag
Canvas tote bags come out of the wash somewhat wrinkled.
If you prefer it to look less rumpled, iron it.
To iron canvas, use the heat setting for cotton.
Spraying the bag with starch or sizing can also help eliminate wrinkles and keep the bag looking crisp.
Tips for Machine Washing Heavy Canvas Tote Bags
Heavy canvas tote bags, like the L.L.
After being washed, the bag will come out misshapen and stiff.
Reshape the bag as best you could and allow it to air-dry.
It will soften as it dries and return to its original shape.
Add ateaspoon of detergent.
Do not use more detergent than necessary, as detergent residue can lend the bag a dingy appearance.
Then, allow it to soak for at least 15 minutes up to overnight.
Rinse Well
Drain the water, and refill the basin with cool water to rinse the bag.
Drain the water and repeat as needed until the water runs clear.
Avoid wringing the bag, which can weaken and damage the fibers.
Using your hands, reshape the bag, and lay it flat to dry.
Once dry, you’re able to iron out wrinkles if desired.
Apply Stain Remover
Apply the stain remover to a damp, light-colored cloth.
Using a white or light-colored cloth reduces the risk of dye transfer.
When treating set-in stains, using a laundry brush lends more mechanical action to the stain-removal process.
Vigorous scrubbing can also abrade the fabric.
To do so, rinse the cloth with clean water and gently dab the areas that you spot-treated.
Rinse the rag and repeat as needed until all the residue from the stain remover is gone.
How to Dry Canvas Tote Bags
Alwaysair-drycanvas tote bags.
Using starch or sizing when ironing can help to restore and retain the bags structure.
