Can I put a cotton tote bag in the washing machine?

Only if its care label permits machine washing. Use a cool gentle cycle, a small amount of mild detergent and a mesh bag; hand wash instead when instructed. Never immerse totes with leather trim, rigid inserts or dry-clean-only labels.

How do I stop a cotton tote bag from shrinking?

Follow the care label, avoid hot water and high dryer heat, and reshape the tote while it is damp. Cotton can still shrink, especially if it was not pre-shrunk, so the manufacturer's guidance takes priority.

What if the tote has a printed design?

Test an inconspicuous area for colour transfer, avoid scrubbing the print and use only the method allowed by the label or print maker. If the design looks fragile, do not machine wash it.

How can I remove a musty smell after washing?

Make sure the bag has been rinsed thoroughly and dried completely in moving air. If odour remains, recheck the care instructions and wash again only if appropriate. Do not store a bag while it feels damp.

Guides/Home/How to Wash a Cotton Tote Bag

How to Wash a Cotton Tote Bag

Freshen a washable cotton tote bag without shrinking it or damaging its handles. Check the care label, remove grit, spot-treat marks, wash gently and air-dry the bag in shape. Do not immerse bags with leather trim, rigid inserts or dry-clean-only labels.

Updated Nov 13, 2026

25 min6 stepsBeginnernew

What you need

Tick off what you already have.

Hands examining the sewn care label and plain cotton canvas handles of a reusable tote bag on a clean table.

AI illustration

Step 01 / 06

Check the care label and bag construction

Read the manufacturer's care label before adding water. This method is for sturdy cotton or cotton-canvas totes marked as washable. Check seams, handles, printed designs and linings for weak or colour-bleeding areas. If the bag has leather, glued decorations, a stiff cardboard insert or a dry-clean-only label, do not immerse it; follow the maker's instructions instead.

Guide progress1 / 6

1. Check the care label and bag construction
Instructional illustration generated with AI for Howmigo.
Read the manufacturer's care label before adding water. This method is for sturdy cotton or cotton-canvas totes marked as washable. Check seams, handles, printed designs and linings for weak or colour-bleeding areas. If the bag has leather, glued decorations, a stiff cardboard insert or a dry-clean-only label, do not immerse it; follow the maker's instructions instead.
2. Empty and remove loose dirt
Instructional illustration generated with AI for Howmigo.
Turn out the pockets and empty every compartment. Hold the bag over a bin, shake away crumbs and sand, then gently brush grit from the bottom corners and seams with a soft clothes brush. Turn the bag inside out only if its construction allows it, so trapped lint can be removed without tugging at the stitching.
3. Spot-test and treat visible marks
Instructional illustration generated with AI for Howmigo.
On an inconspicuous inside seam, dab a little cool water and diluted mild detergent with a clean white cloth, then check for colour transfer. If the dye is stable, gently blot small marks from the outside toward the centre. Do not scrub printed artwork, bleach stains or soak an uncertain finish. Rinse the treated area lightly with a clean damp cloth.
4. Wash gently according to the label
Instructional illustration generated with AI for Howmigo.
If the label permits machine washing, place the tote in a mesh laundry bag and run a cool, gentle cycle with a small amount of mild liquid detergent; keep heavily dyed items separate. If the label calls for hand washing, gently swish the bag in cool water with a little detergent, without twisting the handles. Do not use bleach, fabric softener or a hot cycle unless the label explicitly allows it.
5. Rinse and reshape the fabric
Instructional illustration generated with AI for Howmigo.
For a hand-washed tote, rinse in fresh cool water until the detergent is removed; after machine washing, check for remaining suds and follow the machine's rinse instructions if needed. Press moisture out between clean towels rather than wringing the cloth. While damp, smooth the base, straighten the seams and gently return the handles to their natural shape.
6. Air-dry fully, inspect and store
Instructional illustration generated with AI for Howmigo.
Hang the tote by its body or lay it flat in a well-ventilated place, supporting the shape so the handles do not stretch. Keep it away from strong direct heat and avoid tumble-drying unless the label permits it. Once completely dry, check the seams and handles before loading it again; store the bag in a clean dry place to prevent musty smells.