How to clean insulated lunch bags & remove odour
If your child’s lunch bag starts to look a little sticky or smell less than fresh, use these easy methods to wash it and remove odour so it is ready for another busy school day.
Encourage the kids to unpack their school bag as soon as they walk in the door. Leftover crumbs and half‑eaten fruit that sit in a warm lunch bag overnight (or, worse, all weekend) can create stubborn stains and smells. A quick check each afternoon really does save time later.
: Ask the kids to pop all wrappers and food scraps straight into a classroom or playground bin. It keeps their lunch bag lighter and helps prevent stickiness.
Lunch bags don’t always need a full wash. A quick wipe-over each afternoon can make all the difference in keeping them fresh for the next day.
For an easy and effective daily clean, I recommend my go-to Kat’s Cleaning Spray, made with simple ingredients you likely already have at home. It’s a mix of water, vinegar and dishwashing liquid, which together help cut through grease, remove dirt, and neutralise odours naturally.
Wipe with a clean cloth and leave the bag unzipped to air‑dry. The vinegar helps eliminate odours, while the dishwashing liquid cuts through any stickiness or food residue.
Prefer something ready‑made? Look for a food‑safe, plant‑based surface spray such as (available in most Australian supermarkets). A quick spritz does the same job as the homemade mix and smells lovely. Just avoid any cleaner that contains bleach, as it can damage the insulating layer.
Keep a small container of homemade antibacterial wipes in the pantry for days when you are short on time. Give the bag a quick once‑over, then wipe it dry with a tea towel.
Lunch bags benefit from a deeper clean at least once a week to help prevent build-up and keep them fresh and hygienic.
Depending on the quality of the bag, you may be able to machine‑wash it on a gentle cycle once a week. Pop it in with your tea towels and tablecloths, use a mild detergent and cold water, and place the bag inside a delicates bag if it has buckles that might catch. Always check the care label first and use your best judgement.
If you are unsure, handwashing is just as effective and only takes a few minutes.
Steps
To Lift Stubborn Stains: Mix baking soda with a little water to create a paste, spread it over the mark, let it sit, then rinse.
To Banish Odours: Spritz with Kat’s Cleaning Spray once the bag is dry, or sprinkle baking soda into corners and seams, leave overnight and shake out the powder in the morning.
The same homemade spray works wonders in bigger school or sports bags. Lightly mist the lining, wipe, and leave the bag open to dry. Easy.
Keeping lunch bags clean is a small weekly task that makes a big difference to food safety and morning routine peace.
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