We were given a beautiful backpack in great condition by a friend who used to have a cat. The only problem is that it smells like a cat (no urine on it, just a cat smell). Can I wash it and deactivate the allergen and smell? If so, what do you use to wash it? My kid is very allergic to cats.
Okay, thanks for your responses, I hand washed it with detergent, borax, baking soda and vinegar and dried it in the sun. Came out nice, smells fine.
Just to clarify, a cat smell doesn't always involve urine. Many times fabrics will absorb the kitty litter smell and the smell of a dirty litter box.
You can wash most backpacks on gentle cycle and then air dry. I'd use a fragrance-free detergent and then put white vinegar or baking soda in the rinse cycle to get rid of the odor. If you have to, put it through the pre-soak cycle first, with either vinegar or baking soda. They are great deodorizers. You aren't "deactivating" anything - you are washing it away.
yes washing it will get rid of the allergins. i recommend washing 2x with an highly allergic child. better to be safe than sorry
You can take a microfiber cloth and wipe the backpack first to pick up any hairs. Then I'd wash it in the washing machine. Delicate cycle is fine. The hotter the water the better.
You can buy anti-allergen detergents. I myself just use Tide.
Added: Diane's exactly right - you wash away the dander (like cat dandruff) which contains the proteins that people are allergic too. They're also in cat saliva and urine.
We are all allergic to cats in this house. Usually a little soap and water will make all of the sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes go away.
not sure what a 'cat' smell is if it doesn't involve cat pee.
?
i'd wash it in a mild detergent and some baking soda. air dry.
khairete
S.
