A hiking backpack is your trusted companion, carrying all the essentials you need for a day on the trails; from your snacks to your waterproof jacket, first aid kit, and gadgets—like your head torch ...

Backpacks collect grime and bacteria from frequent use and should be cleaned regularly. Most backpacks can be spot-cleaned, hand-washed, or machine-washed with cleaning products you have on hand.

I shudder to think of all the places my children toss their backpacks. From bathroom and gym floors to dirt patches outside and everything in between, the bottoms of those backpacks are pretty ...