For the Cleanest Bookpacks and Lunch Boxes, Do the Daily Shakeout
I’m sure most moms can relate. You’re emptying out your child’s Friday folder contents only to find an exploded bag of cheese crackers in every nook and cranny of your kid’s backpack. Or worse, you’re cleaning out their reusable lunch bag find that it’s all sticky inside. As the school year kicks off, here’s how to keep those school sacks clean—and green—in the coming months.
The shake. For the cleanest bags, do the daily shake out. Not only will this help keep your child’s bags free of food crumbs, it also prevents their backpack from becoming a black hole. Avoid the shock and awe of holiday and end of year cleanouts by having kids empty their bags and shake them upside down over the garbage can or in the backyard. Keeping their bags clutter-free will become second nature knowing the shake occurs regularly. An added bonus? If the shake happens outside, the local birds enjoy the cracker crumbs!
The spot wash. For stickiness and stains that happen on a regular basis, keep a small spray bottle filled with a 50/50 water and vinegar solution on hand. This environmentally friendly cleanser will keep junior’s lunch bag or backpack clean throughout the week. Just a few sprays and a scrub with a clean cloth naturally disinfects and deodorizes.
The big wash. Many lunch bags—and some tote bags—are machine-washable. Check tags first to make sure and then, using green laundry soap such as Method Laundry, give your child’s bag a weekly wash and hang to dry. For those lunch bags that can’t mix with your Maytag, wash by hand in your sink with a mild detergent and dry overnight in a dish strainer.
The air out. Backpacks are tough to wash and most weren’t made for machine washing. Keep your child’s fresh by hanging it outside, or in an open area inside your home, and placing a dryer sheet or even some fresh cut lavender or rosemary inside. The natural smells will combat the stinky school ones and by Monday, the bag will be as fresh as new. (If you use herbs, don’t forget to toss and shake out before packing up for the school week!)
Talk to us: Speaking of keeping kids’ items clean, do you involve your kids in the act, or do you take care of keeping their sacks and packs in top shape? Let us know if you do and how you do it!
image courtesy of flickr/BY CC 2.0