How To Clean and Sanitize Lunch Boxes and Backpacks

Kids pick up a ton of germs at school. Handwashing is, of course, a great way to minimize the number of germs that your kids are exposed to and that make their way back into your home.

However, there are also often overlooked items that your kids transport to and from school daily that harbor bacteria, viruses and other germs. Learn how to clean and sanitize lunch boxes and backpacks.

Why Regular Cleaning Is Important

Lunch boxes and backpacks will get absolutely filthy with daily use. Think about all of the gross places your kids touch, such as school bathroom toilet handles, pulls and knobs, gym supplies and more. The germs transfer to lunch boxes and backpacks. There, they thrive and multiply.

In addition, lunch boxes often have food spills and remnants on them. Even when you wipe them down daily, germs can build until you sanitize them. Mold and other germs also grow in the dark confines of backpacks. Your kids handle these items frequently, and the germs inside them also transfer to the items your kids eat and use. Regular cleaning keeps the germs and foul smells at bay.

How Often Should You Clean Them?

If your child has a hard plastic lunch box, consider running it through the dishwasher every day. Soft lunch boxes need to be cleaned daily as well, and they should be cleaned by hand.

Backpacks should be hand washed or laundered weekly. While this is an extra step in your household cleaning chores, it’s essential for minimizing the number of illness-causing germs that your children are exposed to.

Step-by-Step Guide

Packing lunches and carrying backpacks daily can lead to crumbs, spills, and stains that build up over time. A quick cleaning routine keeps them fresh, hygienic, and ready for use every day.

Cleaning Lunch Boxes

While hard plastic lunch boxes are easily washed in the dishwasher, the insulated bags require more effort.

Here’s what to do:

• Shake out the loose crumbs.
• Fill a clean spray bottle with a 50-50 solution of distilled white vinegar and water.
• Spray the lunch box or bag thoroughly on the interior and exterior.
• Wipe down the surface with a clean cloth.

Cleaning Backpacks

Some backpacks are machine washable. Always read the item’s label and follow the care instructions.

If the item isn’t machine washable, these steps will get the job done:

• Remove everything from the bag.
• If you spot any stains, pre-treat them with your standard stain spray.
• Fill a sink with warm water and a few drops of liquid laundry detergent.
• Use small scrubber and soapy water to clean the backpack.
• After cleaning, rinse all of the sudsy water out of the backpack.
• Squeeze out the excess water, and hang the backpack up to dry. Because it can take time to air dry, it’s best to wash the backpack at the start of the weekend.

How to Sanitize Lunch Boxes and Backpacks

The vinegar and liquid laundry detergent used to clean lunch boxes and backpacks will eliminate some germs, but they won’t sanitize these items. Before using a new cleaning product on a material, test a small area of the item for damage before cleaning the entire item.

A disinfectant spray is the most effective way to sanitize lunch boxes and backpacks. If this isn’t feasible for the material, consider using diluted bleach. Color-safe bleach can be added to the washing machine to clean cloth backpacks.

Odor-Removal Tips

Cleaning lunch boxes and backpacks will eliminate some odors, but others could linger. Baking soda and activated charcoal are both solid options for fighting odors. Overnight, place a small bowl of baking soda or activated charcoal in the container. Remember to remove it in the morning before the kids head off to school.

For an added benefit, add a few teaspoons of baking soda to the washing machine, vinegar or soapy water that you use to clean the lunch boxes and backpacks.

Maintenance Tips to Keep Them Fresh Longer

Daily cleaning is by far the most effective way to keep lunch boxes fresher for longer. For backpacks, get in the habit of cleaning them weekly. Doing so will dramatically reduce odors and prevent germs and stains from piling up. It’s also helpful to teach your kids how to care for their belongings properly.

For example, remind them not to put empty sandwich bags and juice boxes in their lunch boxes and not to put open snacks in their backpacks. Another great tip is to wash jackets, gloves and other items that could be stuffed in backpacks on a weekly basis.

With all of the cleaning challenges you face day after day, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You don’t have stress about keeping your home and belongings clean and sanitary when you put the Cleanzen Manchester team to work for you. Book your first cleaning service with Cleanzen today.