Can you machine wash JanSport backpacks Reddit?

When I was a kid, the Jansport backpacks were always very good quality. When my last backpack started to tear, I decided to replace it with a Jansport. I looked them over in the store, and decided to get something else. The canvas (or what ever it is) is much thinner than it was in the 80s. It may be lifetime warranty, but it would need to be replaced in a few years.

Most bags are nylon or polyester and are super easy to wash. Don't use super hot water or bleach. Air dry it. It may be better to do it by hand so you can get into the gritty areas and because it's loud banging the hardware around in the washer, but the washer is fine.

I usually wash my bags in the bathtub. Fill the pockets with soapy water. Slosh it around. Pour it out. Repeat. Rinse with clean water. Repeat. Rinse some more. Hang it up to dry in whatever way lets the most water drip out of the pockets.

Try not to abrade any water resistant coating. It's usually on the inside. Use a soft sponge inside, or just fill it with slightly soapy water and slosh it around. It'll probably hold water like a bucket. Just having soap and water in there for a minute will do wonders.

The outside of the bag should be abrasion resistant, so you can go at it with a brush or with a stronger sponge scrub. Use a toothbrush to clean the spots where webbing is sewn to fabric. Grime can build up under the edges of the webbing.

https://imgur.com/a/5xgKm

After reading all the Jansport love and stories here, I just had to get a taste, after not owning a Jansport since I used a book bag in the early 90’s. I’m a complete and utter bag junky, and had to get some of that vintage Jansport goodness.

So off to eBay I went, I found myself an old US-manufactured 3-pocket Jansport backpack, for $35.00 shipped. It looked all faded and dirty in the auction pictures, but I couldn't spot any rips in the canvas or holes in the leather. It looked fully functional. And I really loved the look of the leather lash tab on top.

When the Jansport arrived at my doorstep a few days later, the condition was exactly as I suspected. Dirty, but perfect usable. The compartments were filled with dirt and leaf litter, and everything else under the sun. The black fabric looked old and faded.

So I grabbed a wash basin from the garage, filled it with Dawn dishwashing liquid and warm water, and starting scrubbing at my new purchase with a bristle brush. Wow!!! The fabric wasn't faded at all. It was just incredibly dirty. The soapy water quickly went brown as I scrubbed.

After I felt that I’d removed all the dirt, I took a garden hose to the pack, thoroughly rinsing out all the soap from the fabric. Then I hung the pack by the bottom loop, hooked to the ceiling rafters of my screen porch to dry for a day.

When I got home from work the next day, I was blown away by how great the pack looked. I could have just started using it right here and then, but decided to go the extra mile. So I sprayed down the fabric with Nikwax waterproofing liquid, and let it dry for another day.

The next day I started on the leather, by heating it with a hair dryer, and working in a healthy amount of Sno-Seal leather waterproofing. Then I took a small bit of White Lightning Easy Lube chain lubricant, and lubed up the zippers.

Afterward, I was floored by how great the pack looked. It appeared absolutely brand new, other than the lovely weathered look that the leather bottom had taken on, through years of use and a ton of Sno-Seal. And best of all, none of that new backpack stiffness. My Jansport feels completely broken in, like a comfortable pair of old shoes.

So there it is. A backpack that’s almost 25 years old, given a brand new lease on life. With a little luck, this pack will get another 25 years of service.

How to Clean a JanSport

Let's keep it clean out there, everybody. Whether you need a spot clean or generally spruce up your bag or backpack, we've got the how-to right here.

Step 1: Unload

Take everything out of each and every pocket. Turn the bag inside out or upside down and shake it over a garbage can to remove the little bits of dust and debris. Super committed? Use the hose attachment on your vacuum to get at the base and corners.

Step 2: Clean

First, back away from the washing machine. To maintain the shape and finish of your bag, we recommend cleaning by hand.

For our Cordura and 600D Polyester Fabrics (like the Right Pack, Big Student and SuperBreak), use cool water with a soft damp cloth to wipe down the interior and exterior of your pack, Never use bleach or harsh detergents on your bag. And remember to avoid any suede or leather trim on your pack as these areas could discolor if they get wet.

Step 3: Dry

If you used water to wash your fabric pack, hang your pack to dry completely before putting it into action again.

Step 4: Adventure On

For ongoing maintenance, consider a monthly routine of a quick wipe-down or brushing. With proper care, your JanSport bag will be with you for a lifetime of exploration.

Backpack Stain Remover

For use on 600 Denier polyester and Cordura® fabrics

Directions:

Step 1: Spray cleaner onto a wet cloth, sponge, or brush and scrub thoroughly
Step 2: Wipe away excess moisture and dirt with a clean dry towel
Step 3: Allow to dry completely before using

Styles compatible with Backpack Stain Remover

Basic Accessory Pouch

Baughman

Big Break

Big Campus

Big Student

Black Label Superbreak

Chill Break

Chill Pack

City Scout

City View

Cool Student

Cortlandt

Cross Town

Cross Town Remix

City View Remix

Driver 8

Envoy

Far Out 40L

Far Out 55L

Far Out 65L

Fifth Ave

Fifth Ave FX

Fifth Ave Suede

Fremont

Full Pint

Full Pint FX

Gnarly Gnapsack 25L

Gnarly Gnapsack 30L

Good Vibes Gear Hauler 45

Good Vibes Gear Hauler 56

Half Pint

Half Pint 2 FX

Half Pint FX

Hatchet

High Stakes

Hippyland

Huntington

Hyperbreak

Large Accessory Pouch

Lil Campus

Lil' Break

Lunch Break

Lunch Break FX

Lunch Tote

Main Campus

Medium Accessory Pouch

Mesh Pack

Metro Sling

Mini Waistpack

Mono Fifth Avenue

Mono Half Pint

Mono SuperBreak®

Quarter Pint

Quarter Pint FX

Recycled SuperBreak®

Right Pack

Right Pack Expressions

Right Pack LS

Right Pouch

Ripley

Super FX

Super Lux

SuperBreak®

SuperBreak® Lite

SuperBreak® One

SuperBreak® Plus

SuperBreak® Plus FX

SuperBreak® Velvet

Super Suede

Trans Bazoo

Trans Dakoda

Trans Meadow

Trans Meadow Sling

Trans Meadow XL

Trans Midway

Trans Overt

Trans Super Cool

Trans Super Cool Lunch

Trans Supermax

Trans Supermax Lunch Bag

Waisted

Way Out Waistpack

Way Out Suede

Weekender

Weekender FX

Weekender Suede

West Break

Women's Agave

Wanna Talk?

JanSport Customer Service is here to help Monday through Friday 8am - 4:30pm (CT) (USA only).

Can I put my Jansport backpack in the washing machine?

Is it OK to wash a backpack in the washing machine?