How to Machine Wash Canvas Tote Bags
Most canvas tote bags can be machine-washed, which is usually the best way to clean them. However, machine-washing a canvas bag can change the texture of the canvas, making it softer and less structured. To retain the original feel and shape of a canvas tote, use the spot-treatment method of the cleaning steps outlined below.
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Empty Tote Bag and Make Repairs
Before washing a canvas tote bag, empty its contents. Then, hold the bag over a trash can or sink, and shake it out to dislodge dirt, sand, wrappers, and other debris that tends to build up in the bottom of bags. Check the bag for damage and make any necessary repairs, such as mending rips or snipping loose threads.
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Apply Stain Pretreatment
As you check the bag for damage, take note of any stains or areas where grime has built up, typically on the handles and around the bottom corners of the bag. Apply a stain pretreatment product If you know what the stain is, choose a stain remover formulated for that particular stain. Otherwise, use an all-purpose stain remover that contains enzymes that help to break down embedded dirt and grime that lend totes a dingy appearance.
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Wash in Cold Water
After applying a stain pretreatment, launder the bag in cold water using the gentle cycle. Wash the tote bag in a load with similar items, and avoid washing delicate items with canvas, which is heavy when wet and can damage finer fabrics. If the bag has a logo or printed image on the front or any embellishments, turn it inside out to protect the art from fading and other damage.
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Reshape and Dry
After washing, reshape the bag and allow it to air-dry. Never put a canvas tote in the dryer. Canvas is highly shrink-prone, and the heat from a dryer, even on the coolest setting, can cause irreversible shrinkage. Instead, lay the bag flat on a clean, dry towel or a drying rack, rotating it if necessary, and allow it to air-dry completely before using it.
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Optional: Iron the Bag
Canvas tote bags come out of the wash somewhat wrinkled. Smoothing the bag with your hands before air-drying helps coax out some of the wrinkles that will also ease as the bag dries. If you prefer it to look less rumpled, iron it. To iron canvas, use the heat setting for cotton. Spraying the bag with starch or sizing can also help eliminate wrinkles and keep the bag looking crisp.
Tips for Machine Washing Heavy Canvas Tote Bags
Heavy canvas tote bags, like the L.L. Bean Boat and Tote, can be machine-washed, but doing so will soften the stiff canvas, and the bag will lose some of its structure. If you choose to wash a heavy canvas tote, it is best to wash it on its own so its bulk doesn’t cause damage to other items in the load. After being washed, the bag will come out misshapen and stiff. Reshape the bag as best you can and allow it to air-dry. It will soften as it dries and return to its original shape.
How to Hand-Wash Canvas Tote Bags
While most canvas tote bags can be machine-washed, washing by hand is also an option. You may opt to hand-wash a tote bag if it has embellishments or artwork that could be damaged in the machine, if it’s in fragile condition, if you don’t have access to a laundry facility, or if the care tag calls for hand-laundering.
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Empty Contents, Make Repairs, and Pretreat Stains
Before hand-washing a canvas tote bag, follow the first two steps for machine washing a tote bag: Make necessary repairs and apply a stain pretreatment product to the heavily soiled areas.
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Add Water and Detergent to Basin
Fill a tub, sink, or wash basin, with cool water. Add a teaspoon of detergent. Do not use more detergent than necessary, as detergent residue can lend the bag a dingy appearance.
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Submerge and Soak
Use your hands to submerge the tote, swirling it under water to allow the detergent to penetrate the fabric. Then, allow it to soak for at least 15 minutes up to overnight.
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Rinse Well
Drain the water, and refill the basin with cool water to rinse the bag. Use a pumping or swirling motion to move the bag through the water, which will rinse out dirt and detergent. Drain the water and repeat as needed until the water runs clear. After the final rinse, drain the water and gently press down on the tote in the basin to push out as much water as possible. Avoid wringing the bag, which can weaken and damage the fibers.
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Optional: Reshape, Air-Dry, and Iron
Remove the tote bag from the basin and roll it in a clean towel to press out water. Using your hands, reshape the bag, and lay it flat to dry. Once dry, you can iron out wrinkles if desired.
How to Spot-Clean and Remove Stains from a Canvas Tote Bag
Spot-treating, or spot-cleaning, is a technique used to treat a specific stain or clean a small area without washing an entire item. It is a good method for canvas bags that you don’t want to wash to retain the original feel and look of the canvas. In addition to spot-treating, you can use a fabric-safe cleaning wipe to give the bag an all-over clean without washing it. Before spot-treating a canvas tote bag, be sure to empty out its contents so you don’t damage them.
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Identify the Stain
If possible, identify the stain so you can pick the best stain remover for the job. As an alternative, use liquid laundry detergent, a general-purpose stain remover, or high-quality dish soap for spot-treatment.
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Apply Stain Remover
Apply the stain remover to a damp, light-colored cloth. Using a white or light-colored cloth reduces the risk of dye transfer. When treating set-in stains, using a laundry brush lends more mechanical action to the stain-removal process.
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Dab the Stain
Dab the stain remover onto the stain using the cloth or laundry brush and gently blot, reapplying more stain remover as needed. Use firm but gentle pressure, and avoid scrubbing the stain, to prevent it from being ground deeper into the fibers or spreading. Vigorous scrubbing can also abrade the fabric.
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Rinse as Needed
Rinse the stain remover well to prevent it from leaving a ring or oxidizing and creating a new stain. To do so, rinse the cloth with clean water and gently dab the areas that you spot-treated. Rinse the rag and repeat as needed until all the residue from the stain remover is gone.
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Reshape and Air-Dry
Reshape the tote bag, and lay it flat to dry on a drying rack or clean towel.
How to Dry Canvas Tote Bags
Always air-dry canvas tote bags. Canvas is a highly shrink-prone material because the heat from a dryer can cause irreversible shrinkage even at its lowest setting. Once they’re dry, canvas bags may be wrinkled after being washed, and while not absolutely necessary, they can be ironed. Using starch or sizing when ironing can help to restore and retain the bag’s structure.
