Your Summer Bag Cleaning Checklist

Summer is one of the best times of the year. With better weather, the vacation period, and a chance to soak up some sun by the pool, your summer bag needs to carry everything you need to make the most of what summer has to offer. But how is it possible to keep everything clean and well-managed? You mustn't ruin your bag or its contents just because you don't know how to clean them all properly. 

Please read on to find out what should be in your summer bag and learn how to clean it. 

What Your Summer Bag Carries and Why It Needs Regular Care

Whatever your summer looks like—hiking through the hills of Scotland, lying on the Gold Coast of Australia, or staying by a pool in California—the items in your summer bag need proper care and thorough cleaning to ensure you look great and no pesky sand gets into places that it shouldn't. 

Your accessories and your clothing will need to be cared for differently, so don’t simply throw everything into a washing machine and hope for the best. Instead, ensure you know how to care for each item. 

1. Towels and Swimwear

Everyone knows that a towel is a must-have on your summer vacation, whether that’s your beach towel or your shower/bath towel (maybe you only use one to save on space). The item you use to clean your body must also be clean, and that’s why it’s advisable to have one towel for the beach and one for home. That way, you don’t have to do lots of unnecessary cleaning, which could waste water. Each year, washing clothes releases around 500,000 microfibers into the ocean. To prevent this growing figure, it’s essential to wash only when necessary. 

For your towels and swimwear, it’s as simple as using laundry detergent sheets to ensure they’re properly washed. Most swimwear is designed to be washed on warm settings, but it’s always best to check the label to ensure you don’t wash your swimsuit at too high a temperature. Regardless, you need to shake out any sand and wring out any excess water before you start your wash.

2. Water Bottle, Containers, Suncream

What is a day at the beach without water, snacks, and suncream? A dangerous day! After all, it’s crucial to remain hydrated and well fed during extended periods in the sun. You need to have the energy and hydration you need to avoid any nasty accidents, such as fainting spells. Taking your reusable water bottle to the beach is crucial to ensure that you aren’t continuously buying single-use plastic. It’s also essential to protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays wherever possible by using sunscreen, but sunscreen bottles can often become messy and require cleaning. 

To clean these items, it’s best to use dish soap. While you can’t carry around dish soap in your bag all day, taking some wipes to try to wipe away any major leaks or spillages is a good idea. Then, when you’ve returned home, you can clean the items with sudsy dish soap and dry them.

3. Underwear

Underwear is crucial for any holiday, and it’s always best to take extras just in case. However, if you find yourself running low on underwear, it’s best to clean some quickly. It’s crucial to check the label of your underwear for the washing instructions it requires, as some types of underwear are more delicate than others. 

If your underwear is pretty “standard,” then it can likely go in with other washing, but always check the label. However, washing delicates can be difficult, so it’s best to use a basin of cold water (hot water can cause the fabric to lose its color or shrink) and then add half of a Freddie laundry detergent sheet. Swirl it in the water until it’s dissolved. Then you can add your delicates and gently soak them for five minutes.

Tip: Keep an eye on your chosen detergent’s ingredients to ensure it’s free of dyes, bleach, and other harmful chemicals. This will go a long way in protecting your clothes.

4. Sunglasses and Accessories

“Sun’s out” means your sunglasses need to be on to protect your eyes from the dangerous UV rays. But there’s nothing worse than when sand, dirt, or suncream start to smudge your sunglasses. To keep your shades on and the smudges away, use warm soap and water. Once you’ve wiped these away with a cloth, you can dry the sunglasses or other accessories with a microfiber towel.

5. Beach Bag

It might seem obvious, but there’s no way you can fit everything you need into a little handbag. That’s why you need a beach bag for exploring the beaches, or a larger bag or backpack for big days out. You want to avoid buying plastic bags unnecessarily, so having a fabric beach bag will help reduce unnecessary waste.

But cleaning bags can be difficult. However, the important thing is to remember to clean your bag in advance, as it will need to air dry. Depending on the type of handles, some bags can be washed straight in the machine. However, there may be delicate components that are best washed by hand, or the bag can be placed in the washing machine on a gentle, cold wash cycle. That said, this is very dependent on the bag type. For example, this might be possible for a canvas bag with no special strap. However, it could be a canvas bag with a rope strap (for example), in which case this isn’t possible. Nor is it possible if you have a leather beach bag. 

The best way to wash a canvas bag is to hand-wash it, taking care of any stains first. Add a small amount of detergent or a small portion of a Freddie’s laundry detergent sheet with its gentle ingredients to some water. Then, take a cloth, wet it in the dissolved solution, and gently rub the stained area. Once you’ve finished, you can wipe away the soapy areas with a cloth and leave the bag to air dry. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Clean My July Bag?

The method of cleaning your bag will depend on its material. For instance, if you have a leather bag, you will need to clean it differently from a canvas bag. Regardless of the material your bag is made of, it will need to be air-dried after cleaning.

How to Clean a Bag Without Ruining It?

It’s essential to use a detergent with thoughtful ingredients and ensure that you don’t put a bag in a washing machine that isn’t compatible. For canvas beach bags, you can create a little detergent solution with a Freddie detergent sheet and some water. Then, with a cloth, wipe the areas that need cleaning.

How to Clean the Inside of a Luxury Bag?

Cleaning the inside of a luxury bag is all about being aware of the lining of your bag. Often, the more expensive bags have a silk lining. It’s better to spot clean (only clean the areas you need to) with a damp microfiber cloth and a detergent mix. Then it’s best to air-dry.

Discover Freddie’s Expert Tips to Keep Your Summer Bags Clean and Fresh

Whether you're traveling near or far for the summer, the essentials remain the same, and everyone needs a good-quality summer bag. But what's the point of packing all the essentials if everything gets dirty and ruined? Instead, understanding how to clean everything effectively means you don't have to kiss that beach bag goodbye. Discover Freddie's range of laundry detergent sheets today to keep your summer belongings clean and fresh.