How to Remove Mold from Backpack

Opening your backpack and finding mold would make most of us toss it out and buy a new one, but is it possible to remove mold from a backpack? Mold can form very quickly in a backpack, if it’s used outdoors, in wet, rugged weather, you might find mold in your backpack the next time you’re going camping. Keep reading to learn how to remove mold from backpack.

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Aside from the weather conditions, there are other reasons why a backpack might mold. On the positive side, there are just as many measures available to remove mold from your backpack.

Why does a backpack mold?

For mold to form, there has to be moisture over a prolonged period of time. If you are out camping on a rainy day, if you don’t dry the moistened material in your backpack, mold will start to form. This means that if your backpack gets wet, you should hang it up to dry to minimize the risk of mold. It’s best if you empty the backpack and open it completely when drying. This way, the inside can dry as well.

Another reason why a backpack may start to mold is if you’ve spilled any liquids inside it. Sometimes, a fruit is forgotten, which over time becomes moldy and infects the material of the inside of the backpack.

Tip: Remove all items from the backpack after each outing. This also applies to handkerchiefs, which can also become moldy if they get wet.

How to effectively remove mold from backpack

Have you found mold stains or larger areas of mold on your backpack? Usually, the backpack is not lost and can be saved with the following measures:

• Spray the contaminated areas with disinfectant. Let this soak in for a while. Wipe the spots with a cloth. You can test on a spot beforehand if the fabric can handle the treatment with the disinfectant spray.
• Next, carry out a cleaning process with a textile hygiene agent It is important that this cleaning is carried out by hand washing, as not every backpack can tolerate a wash cycle in the machine.
• Some pharmacies offer a particularly gentle agent that fights mold but does not attack the material.
• After washing the backpack with a detergent, rinse it multiple times with clean water. It is important that the detergent is washed out completely.
• Hang the backpack to dry afterwards. To do this, open all pockets and make sure that the backpack does not get wet again. A bathroom without windows is not suitable for drying. Moisture will again collect in this room and penetrate the backpack.

Prevent mold growth in Backpack

If you would like to prevent mold from forming again in the future, you can do so by following these simple steps:

• Equip your backpack with a weatherproof cover every time you go out.
• Do not place the backpack on a damp or wet surface.
• Prevent the backpack from coming into contact with splashing water.
• Treat the backpack with a spray impregnate. This will also prevent new mold from forming.
• Do not store the backpack in the closet after a trip until the backpack is one hundred percent dry.
• Empty the backpack after use to prevent items or fruit from becoming moldy.
• Spills should be removed on the spot. Clean them up first with a dry cloth, then the affected area can be washed with textile detergent, or shower gel if detergent is not available.

Clean the backpack properly

You can not intervene only when your backpack is already moldy. We present a small care guide that will help you prolong its life and prevent mold:

Washing a backpack

A backpack should not be washed in a washing machine. This can damage coatings that make the backpack waterproof. Without this protection, a backpack will start to mold more quickly.

• Detergent – When washing by hand, you should not use aggressive detergents. These can also damage the waterproof coating. Fine detergent would be best.
• Soft Sponges – Do not use a hard brush, but only a soft sponge or cloth.
• Frequency of washing – A backpack should be cleaned after each use. Partial cleaning and wiping with a damp cloth is enough.
• Drying – Hang the backpack upside down to dry so that the liquid can drain off. Always hang the backpack in a well-ventilated area.
• Clean Pockets – The inside and outside pockets of a backpack should also be cleaned regularly. After hand washing, you should open the pockets so they can dry as well.

Tip: In any case, pay attention to the cleaning instructions of the manufacturer!

If you apply the presented tips, you do not have to dispose of a backpack infested with mold. It is only important that you remove all mold spores. Under no circumstances should these spread to food or clothing.