Made of robust materials to withstand the great outdoors, canvas bags are the ideal companion for transporting everything from camp equipment to hunting gear to work tools and supplies. Duffels, kit bags, tote bags – you name it! Whatever bag style you choose, the durable and rugged design will stand up to a lot. Break it in, and it will look even more beautiful, adding character and a lived-in look.

However, even the best canvas bags deserve proper care and upkeep. Here are our best tips and tricks for your canvas bag, from the occasional spot-cleaning to routine maintenance during trips.

Canvas Bag Care: Tips and Tricks for Routine Maintenance

Maintain your Beckel canvas bag by giving it the proper attention and care between each trip. Here are some tips and tricks to help you do so:

Don’t Overstuff Your Bag

While the main canvas material has some stretch and give, don’t push the bag to its limits. The seams and handles become stressed and strained, which may lead to repairs down the line.

Empty the Bag Between Uses

You never know what might’ve fallen towards the bottom of your bag, scraping away at the canvas. Gear with sharp edges and dirt and debris can wear down canvas fabric. Pens can break and leak ink, etc. So, do yourself a favor and empty the bag to prevent any of this from happening.

Open and Air Out the Bag

Whenever you’re not using your canvas bag, open up all the zippers and snaps to let it breathe. Canvas is a natural material, and allowing the interior compartments to breathe will prevent the growth of mold and mildew spores (especially when bringing back soiled or moist laundry).

Treat Stains Promptly

Address a splatter or spill immediately if you can. Blot the area with a clean, damp cloth. Whatever you do, avoid rubbing the spot, as this will push the dirt or spill deeper into the fibers. However, if you don’t catch it in time – don’t fret! You can always spot-clean it when you get home (see cleaning directions below).

Avoid Leaving the Bag in Direct Sun

This tip is especially important if you got yourself a black, navy, or olive green canvas bag because the sun’s UV rays cause color fading. Besides those beautiful colors fading, UV rays also damage the fibers and leather over time. Instead, store the canvas bag in a cool, dry area.

Condition the Leather Accents

This tip doesn’t need to be done between every outing but is still worth mentioning. Applying a leather conditioner to leather straps and accents will help keep it supple and flexible and prevent cracking.

Cleaning Your Canvas Bag

man carrying Weekender canvas duffel bag to truck bed

Beckel makes tough canvas bags. Built rugged for outdoor hunting trips, camping, expeditions, and so much more, these bags are hand-stitched with heavy-duty 18-20 oz. canvas (18 oz colored canvas and 20 oz raw natural color). And the colored canvas bag styles have the added water-repellant treatment to take on rain and snow.

Still… from time to time, you’ll want to clean your canvas bag. Even if you appreciate the character the wear and tear adds, showing off how much travel it’s been through, periodic cleaning will help it last longer.

Here’s how to do that:

Spot Clean or Hand Wash

Never, under any circumstance, put your Beckel canvas bag in the washing machine. Beckel’s bags are made tough, but a washing machine is a no-go! Why? For a couple of reasons:

The bag will not hold up well, causing it to warp or change shape.
The colored dye could bleed, leaving streaks and spots.
It damages the leather accents’ natural oils, making them brittle and dry.

We will always recommend spot-cleaning an area first. Use a gentle solution of lukewarm water with mild soap, scrubbing the area with a soft brush (think toothbrush). If you feel it needs an all-around general cleaning, you could wash it by hand.

Stubborn Stains: For really stubborn stains like mold and mildew, you can always get out the trusty Iosso jar and dab a bit on the area. Yes – Iosso is for cleaning more than canvas wall tents, boat covers, and canvas tarps. Just dilute it with water first before spot-cleaning!

Avoid Harsh Cleaning Agents: No matter how natural they may be, some cleaning agents are not intended for canvas. Vinegar and bleach are two such cleaners you should never use! Their caustic chemical ingredient weakens and corrodes the canvas over time.

Dry the Bag Flat

The same no-washing machine rule applies to a dryer. A standard home dryer can dry out the fibers too quickly, resulting in one or all of the results (see bulleted list above) that you don’t want.

Low and slow is the name of the game. You really want your canvas bag to dry steadily, preferably air drying out of direct sunlight to prevent fading or mold and mildew growth. (The same cleaning rules apply to a canvas tarp!)

We also recommend drying the canvas bag flat. This step will help it avoid creased lines and color bleeding. So stretch out the handles and lay it flat as much as possible to preserve its shape.

Flip it over occasionally to ensure the air reaches all areas (or place it on top of a mesh laundry rack).

Final Thoughts

collage of Beckel canvas bag details, leather accents, stitching

Whether you have a versatile duffel bag or a compact Dopp toiletry bag, Beckel canvas products are made to last. But if you ever find that your canvas bag’s seam broke (in a decade or so) or needs some repair, our team will repair it – good as new!

Until then, take care of your canvas bag with the above tips and tricks, and keep exploring.

How to Care for Your Canvas Bag: Tips and Tricks