Students bring a lot home at the end of the school year—including germs. Lockers and classrooms are cleaned out so projects and everyday supplies are returned. But there’s a way to help ensure bacteria doesn’t tag along. Learn how cleaning certain school supplies can help keep your home fresh and students healthy over the summer break.

Why Cleaning School Supplies is Important

Think about the journey a backpack takes throughout a school day:

• Travels to the bus stop, collecting outdoor allergens, dirt, and dust along the way.
• Rides to school on the floor of the car or bus, where dirt and grime are waiting.
• Carries snacks and lunches that can drip and stick, leaving a crumby mess.
• Stashed in sweaty locker rooms or on the classroom floor during afterschool activities.

While backpacks don’t necessarily get washed everyday, would you want all of this built-up dirt to linger over the summer? Here’s why cleaning school supplies is a good idea:

• Removes dust, grime, and allergens
• Prevents the spread of germs
• Keeps the item in decent condition to be used next school year

It doesn’t take much to clean certain school supplies, but it can mean the difference between spreading bacteria and staying healthy.

How to Clean Supplies

Consider regularly cleaning the school supplies used most often, including:

• Pencils
• Binders
• Backpacks
• Lunchboxes

The method you use varies by item, but here are some options:

• Sanitizing wipes make it easy to clean handheld items like pencils, binders, and scissors.
• Disinfecting sprays are suitable for larger items that can’t be machine washed.
• Follow tag instructions to hand or machine wash cloth backpack and lunch bags or put containers in the dishwasher.

If you don’t wipe down items monthly, at least clean them at the end of the school year so they’re ready to be used again. If any items need labeling, use a water-resistant method or be ready to relabel after washing.

When cleaning and disinfecting items, choose a product that’s safe for the specific materials. Follow any manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the quality isn’t compromised. Make sure the item is completely dry before storing over the summer. Taking care of supplies not only helps keep your space clean and students healthy, but it saves you from having to replace the item once back-to-school season arrives in the fall.