How to take care of your child's school bag

Your children often come home with smelly socks or food stains in their school bags.

In this article, we will give you tips on how to keep your child's school bag clean. We will also see how to teach your child good habits with their school backpack.

Cleaning your child's school bag

Do your children stuff everything into their school bags? With so many things hidden in their bags, you have probably noticed a smell emanating from them and felt the need to add a fresh scent to their bags.

Searching through your child's bags may seem scary - who knows what you will find hidden inside - but relax. We have a simple and effective method for you.

Here's how to clean and add a fresh scent to your children's school bags the right way.

Step 1: Empty the bag

The first step is to empty the school bag. Don't forget to also empty all the pockets.

Step 2: Clean the bag

To clean, prepare a solution consisting of 1 cup of warm water and 1 tsp of dish soap. Take a brush and use this solution to gently scrub the backpack. Scrub for a few minutes, then wipe it with a cloth soaked in water. You can also use a sponge if some parts of the bag are delicate and wash the bag by hand in your sink.

If the care label suggests machine washing, wash the bag in cold water with the recommended amount of your favorite detergent.

Step 3: Dry the bag

Hang the bag in natural sunlight after turning it inside out for a whole day. The sunlight will help kill persistent bacteria and deodorize the bag. Make sure the school bag is completely dry before giving it back to your child to use.

Step 4: Add a fresh scent

To add a fresh scent to the backpack, take a teaspoon of water in a bowl and add 3-4 drops of your favorite essential oil. Stir well. Take a small piece of chalk and place it in this solution. Let it fully absorb the solution. Wrap the chalk in a cloth and place it in a corner of your children's school bags. This will add a fresh scent to the bags. You can change the chalk every week.

Another method to deodorize your child's school backpack is to take a cup of baking soda and pour it into the bottom of the bag when it is dry. Leave it overnight, then discard the baking soda. This will help neutralize odors and give you time to follow the above steps to make the bags smell good.

Helping your child take care of their school bag

Your child certainly loves their school bag and for good reason, they chose it carefully and it suits their style. But sometimes, they mistreat it and don't take care of it. So, to help your child take care of their backpack, here are some tips.

1. Give your child ownership of their school bag

Allow your child to select their school bag within reasonable limits. For example, you can select two models of school backpacks and present your choices to your child. They can then choose the model they like and use it until it is no longer usable.

2. Write their name on the backpack with the information you want to share

Some people also add their class or phone number. Show your child what you are doing. Make sure they understand that this is the only time they can write on the backpack and that now everyone will know it's theirs.

3. Let them organize their own school supplies

This has several advantages. First, it allows your child to learn organization. They have to choose the supplies they will need the next day.

Also, it makes your child responsible for using their school bag. They will quickly understand that if they bring unnecessary things, they will have to carry an unnecessarily heavy backpack.

And for that, there is no need to wait until your child is older. From a young age, your child can learn to organize their school bag.

4. If your child brings a water bottle or lunch from home, have them put these items in the bag

In the hustle of busy mornings, you probably tend to throw the lunchbox or water bottle into your child's backpack. But again, it's better for your child to place their meal in their school bag. They will learn to organize their things to keep a tidy school backpack.

5. When you return home from school, make sure there is an area in your house to put the backpack to be emptied

This area can be the hallway or the entrance to your house, but it must be dedicated to this and left free before your child returns from school. This way, your child knows where to put their backpack while they have their snack, for example. As soon as they need to do their homework, encourage your child to unload their backpack.

6. Ask your child to take out all the documents to be signed and the homework to be done

Do both as soon as possible and put them back in the backpack.

7. Let your child take out their school projects and you can look at them

Take this time to ask them how they did it, what they learned, or what their favorite part of the day was.

Helping your child keep a clean and organized school bag

Some children need help keeping their school bag clean and organized. For meals, opt for an airtight lunchbox. Unlike plastic bags, it prevents the meal from being crushed by books and notebooks.

Finally, if your child's school bag is always messy, opt for a school bag with compartments that will help your child organize their things. Before the start of the school year, take a moment to explain to them where and how to store their supplies.