The city backpacks of the Xiaomi Mi City Backpack series have earned a reputation as one of the most practical accessories on the market due to their minimalist design and water-repellent fabric. However, in the process of active use, whether it is daily subway trips, university trips or cycling, the product inevitably accumulates dust, dirt and foreign smells. Many owners are afraid to wash their bags, believing that this will damage the structure of the material or violate the protective impregnation.
In fact, regular and proper cleaning not only restores the aesthetic appearance, but also prolongs the life of the textile, preventing the fibers from breaking down from the ingrained dirt. In this article, we will detail all the stages of preparation, choice of detergent and the immediate washing process, so that your accessory looks like new even after hundreds of cycles of socks.
Before you start active, you need to clearly understand what material is made of your backpack. Most often, the manufacturer uses dense nylon or polyester with a polyurethane coating, which makes them sufficiently resistant to water, but require delicate handling at high temperatures.
Preparing the backpack for washing: the first stage
Starting the cleaning process always requires a thorough review of the contents and release all the compartments. Take absolutely everything out of the main compartment, laptop pockets and hidden niches. Pay special attention to small details that could roll into corners, as left a coin or keys can damage the washing machine drum or the fabric itself when pressed.
After devastation, you need to mechanically clean the surface, take a soft brush or wet cloth, and remove visible dust, animal hair, and major contaminants. If there is dried dirt on the cloth, it is better to scrub it neatly with a blunt object, so that when wet, it does not turn into a difficult to remove stain.
An important step is to check the integrity of the fittings, fasten all the zippers, rivets and Velcros, so that during the washing process, the metal elements do not scratch the drum, and the zippers themselves do not deform, and if there are removable elements on the backpack, such as carbines or key fobs, they are better temporarily removed.
⚠️ If the backpack contains leather inserts or elements made of natural suede, machine washing is strictly prohibited, as the water will irrevocably spoil the texture and color of the skin.
Complex models with rigid frames or built-in electronics (such as backpacks with Power Bank) require a special approach, in which case machine washing is completely excluded, and only local manual cleaning of surfaces is allowed, not affecting the technical units.
☑️ Preparation for laundry
Choice of detergents and temperature regime
The key to success is choosing the right chemistry: Aggressive bleachers, chlorine-containing substances and powders with large granules can damage the protective layer of tissue, making it vulnerable to moisture. The optimal choice will be liquid washing gels that are completely rinsed out of the fibers and do not leave white stains on dark fabric.
Temperature is also critical: the polyester and nylon that make Xiaomi backpacks are sensitive to high temperatures; washing at temperatures above 40 degrees can cause product geometry to change or water-repellent impregnation to detach, so the gold standard is between 30 and 40 degrees.
If you plan to wash your backpack with other clothes, make sure the items are of the same color to avoid mowing, but experts recommend washing your bags separately, as their volume and density of fabric can prevent the quality of other things.
Special stains can be used to remove persistent spots, but before applying to the visible part, be sure to test the product on an inconspicuous area, such as on the inner seam. This will help make sure that the reagent does not change the color of the material.
Hand Washing: A Careful Method for Any Model
Hand washing is the safest way to clean, especially for models with a rigid back or complex design. First, get warm water in the basin or bath at about 30-35 degrees, dissolve a small amount of liquid detergent before foaming.
Immerse the backpack in water completely, if its design permits, or treat it in sections. Use a soft sponge or a brush with a soft bristles to neatly rub contaminated areas. Movements should be circular, without undue effort, so as not to damage the fabric structure.
- 🧼 Soak heavily contaminated areas on 15-20 minutia.
- 🚿 Wash the product thoroughly under running water until the draining water is completely transparent.
- 💧 Do not unscrew the backpack to avoid stitching deformities and loss of shape.
Pay special attention to the inner pockets and lining, because this is where bacteria and unpleasant odors most often accumulate. If the smell remains, you can add a little air conditioner for underwear with antibacterial effect to the water for rinsing.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to use hot water when washing by hand, as it can activate the adhesive bases on which the backpack shape is kept.
After rinsing, let the water drain naturally, you can gently press your backpack against the wall of the bath or use a terry towel to absorb excess moisture, slightly pressing the fabric.
Machine Washing: Safety Rules and Settings
If you're confident of the strength of the design and the lack of leather elements, you can use a washing machine, which will save time and effort, but requires strict rules. First, choose the "Delicate Washing", "Hand Washing" or "Sports shoes".
Be sure to turn off the spin function or set minimum revs (no more than 400-500 rpm).A high centrifuge speed can break the plastic elements of the frame, deform the straps or even damage the drum of the machine due to the shift of the center of gravity of the wet backpack.
For additional protection, it is recommended to place the backpack in a special wash bag or a large pillowcase, which will prevent the straps and belts from rubbing against the drum, and also protect the zippers from getting stuck.
Can I wash my bag with other things?
Use the "Additional Gargle" mode to make sure that all the powder or gel has been washed out of the porous fabric. Residues of the chemistry can irritate the skin when worn or cause yellow spots after drying.
Drying a backpack: how to avoid deformation
Proper drying is 50 percent of the success of the whole operation. Do not use electric dryers, heating batteries or hair dryers to speed up the process. High drying temperatures will shrink the material and lose the elasticity of the straps.
The best way to do this is to dry it straightened at room temperature in a well-ventilated area, hung by the top handle or placed on a horizontal surface covered with a clean towel, and periodically change position to ensure that it is evenly dried.
Avoid direct sunlight on fabric. Ultraviolet can cause the bright Xiaomi logo to fade and the color of the main material to change, especially if it is gray or blue.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Critical significance |
|---|---|---|
| Water temperature | 30-40 °C | More than 50 °C |
| Type of detergent | Liquid gel | Bleached powder |
| Push it. | Disabled or 400 rpm | More than 800 rpm |
| Suit | Natural, in the shadows. | Battery, hair dryer, sunshine |
💡
The main rule of drying is no heating appliances and direct sun, only natural air and time.
Removing complex spots and care for fittings
Even after washing, some kinds of contaminants can remain. For ink stains or pen marks, it is effective to use alcohol wipes to gently wet the stain without rubbing it. Fat stains can be removed by dishwashing by applying a drop on the sponge and treating the local area.
Metal accessories such as lightning and carbines, after washing and drying, it is recommended to lubricate with silicone lubricant or special wax, which will prevent the oxidation of the metal and ensure smooth locks, which are so appreciated in Xiaomi products.
If you have a reel, don't cut it with a scissor, use a special machine to remove the reels, or walk gently with a razor, trying not to touch the main threads of the weaving, which will return the tissue smoothness and neat appearance.
- 🖌️ To clean the lightning, use an old toothbrush, removing stuck tissue villi.
- 🌫️ Water repellent impregnation can be restored with special sprays for clothing after complete drying.
- 👃 To eliminate the smell of dampness, put inside a bag of silica gel or a dry sprig of lavender.
⚠️ Note: Do not use acetone or aggressive solvents to remove stains on synthetic tissue, it can melt polyester fibers.
Regular care of fittings prolongs the life of the backpack much longer than careful treatment of fabric, as the breakage of lightning often makes the use of the bag impossible.