Do your kids cram everything into their school bags? With so many things lurking inside their bags, you’ve probably noticed an odour emanating from them, and felt the need to add a fresh scent to their bags.
Digging into your child’s bags might sound scary — who knows what you’ll find lurking inside — but relax. We have a simple, effective method for you.
Here’s how to clean and add a fresh fragrance to your kids’ school bags the right way.
Step 1: Empty the Bag
The first step is to empty the school bag. Remember to empty all the pockets as well.
Step 2: Clean the Bag
To clean, make a solution comprising 1 cup of warm water and 1 tsp. of dishwashing liquid. Take a brush and use this solution to scrub the school bag gently. Scrub for a few minutes, then wipe this clean with a cloth dampened in water.
Step 3: Wash the Bag
If the care label suggests machine washing, launder the bag on a cold cycle by adding a spoonful of your preferred detergent (use the measure that comes with the machine). But if the care label indicates hand-washing, make a solution with 1 bucket of lukewarm water and 2 tbsp. of your preferred detergent or dishwashing liquid. Use this solution and a brush to scrub the bag and rinse it. You can also use a sponge if some parts of the bag are delicate, and hand-wash the bag in your sink.
Step 4: Dry the Bag
Hang the bag to dry in natural sunlight after flipping it inside-out for an entire day. Sunlight will help kill off lingering bacteria and also deodorise the bag. Ensure the school bag has dried completely before giving it back to your child to use.
Step 5: Add a Fresh Fragrance
To add a fresh fragrance to the school bag, take a tsp. of water in a bowl and add 3-4 drops of your preferred essential oil. Stir it well. Take a small piece of chalk and drop it in this solution. Let it absorb the solution entirely. Wrap the chalk in cloth and place it in a corner of your kids’ school bags. This will add a fresh fragrance to the bags. You can change the chalk every week.
Refer to this easy and effective guide every time you want to make your children’s school bags smell nice!
Key Step:
Take a cup of baking soda and pour it into the bottom of the bag when it’s dry. Leave this overnight, and then discard. This will help neutralise the smell and give you time before you follow the steps above to make the bags smell good.