One of the greatest advantages of using fabric bags is being able to wash them! Your bag goes with you everywhere. So, think of all the places it has been set down: the floor in a public restroom, the grocery store floor, your car floor, a restaurant floor where thousands of people walk in and out all day long. Then think about if you have ever put that dirty purse on your countertop where you prepare food, or on your bed where you lie down. And what have you spilled on or inside of it? Baby formula, juice, coffee, makeup … the list goes on.

I think it’s safe to say your bag could use a little cleaning maintenance every once in a while, don’t you? Here are a few cleaning tips to use for your washable, fabric bags.

• Greasy spots – drop a dot of dishwashing liquid on it, lightly rub with a washcloth and rinse with water.



• Coffee or Tea – flush with lemon juice or white vinegar and to get the milk or sugar out, try dishwashing liquid.



• Tomato ketchup, mustard, spaghetti sauce – scrape off excess and rinse with water, then use vinegar to treat the spot and finish by washing with dishwashing liquid, then rinse with water.



• Ink Stains - try hair spray. Make sure to spray enough on to penetrate the fabric and then toss it in the washer with mild detergent.
  
  
• Oxi-Clean – one of my favorite cleaning solutions! Mix 1-2 Tablespoons with 1/4 cup of water. Mix until it becomes a grainy paste. Spread the mixture on the spot to be treated and let sit for 3-10 minutes, depending on the severity of the stain. Wipe off mixture, and then rinse thoroughly with water. Some fabrics are too delicate for Oxi-clean. You need to test a small area on the bottom of the bag or in some small area of the bag that is hidden.