How do I rinse the area after removing the stain?

Once the stain has been removed, take a damp cloth and rinse the area. Make sure you get all of the cleaning solution off of the fabric. You may need to repeat this step several times to ensure all of the soap is gone.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Grease and oil > Backpacks

Say Goodbye to Greasy Messes with a Clean Backpack: Simple Steps to Remove Oil and Grease Stains

Q: What supplies do I need to remove oil and grease stains from my backpack?

The supplies you’ll need will depend on the type of backpack material. If you’re dealing with a natural fiber such as cotton or canvas, you’ll need a cloth, a brush (such as an old toothbrush), dish soap, warm water, and vinegar. Alternatively, if you have a synthetic material like nylon, you’ll likely just need dish soap, warm water, a soft cloth, and a mild detergent.

Your backpack is one of your most used belongings and one of the hardest items to keep clean. Oily, greasy messes can happen all-too-easily, but don't despair – there are easy solutions to remove these spots! Read on to learn more.

Updated 20 Feb 2023

By Isabelle Trottier

Step 1: Gather Supplies

The supplies you'll need will depend on type of backpack material. If you're dealing with a natural fiber such as cotton or canvas, you'll need a cloth, a brush (such as an old toothbrush), dish soap, warm water, and vinegar. Alternatively, if you have a synthetic material like nylon, you'll likely just need dish soap, warm water, a soft cloth, and a mild detergent.

Step 2: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

If you are dealing with a natural fiber material, mix equal parts dish soap and vinegar in warm water. If it's a synthetic fabric, mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water and a mild detergent. Once you've prepared your cleaning solution, wet a soft cloth and use it to gently dab the stain, being careful not to rub the area too hard.

Step 3: Scrub the Stain

Once the stain has been dampened, use the toothbrush to scrub out the stain. You may need to apply more of cleaning solution and scrub the area several times with toothbrush before the stain is lifted. If the stain is still present after scrubbing, move on to step 4.

Step 4: Blot Stain

After the stain has been scrubbed, take a clean cloth and blot the area, being careful not to rub it. This will help to lift any remaining stain. If the stain is still present, you'll want to try a second cleaning session before moving on to step 5.

Step 5: Rinse Area

Once the stain has been removed, take a damp cloth and rinse the area. Make sure you get all of cleaning solution off of the fabric. You may need to repeat this step several times to ensure all of the soap is gone.

Step 6: Air Dry

After rinsing area, allow backpack to air dry. Do not put the backpack in the washing machine or dryer as this could cause further damage. Once area is completely dry, your backpack will be good as new!

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