How to Create a Cleaner, Safer Back-to-School Routine at Home

The summer break always seems to fly by — days without strict schedules, spontaneous snacks, afternoons spent playing, and of course, backpacks and pencil cases forgotten in a corner.

But as the school year begins, a new routine kicks in: early mornings, homework, after-school activities… and the need to keep everything clean and ready to help protect the well-being of our children and families.

A Fresh Start After the Break

In this new season, many school items can be reused — backpacks, pencil cases, lunch bags, water bottles. Others, like notebooks and pencils, will need to be replaced.

Whether items are new or reused, keeping them clean and organized is key to preventing the buildup of dirt and helping them last longer.

This step-by-step guide will help you create a cleaner, safer back-to-school routine using ECOS® products made with a base of plant-powered ingredients, hypoallergenic formulas, and EPA Safer Choice certification — products designed with your family and the planet in mind.

1. Backpacks & Pencil Cases: Ready for a New School Year

During the year, backpacks and pencil cases collect dust, crumbs, food residue, and more. Before using them again:

1. Empty every compartment and shake out any visible debris.
2. For fabric cleaning: if the backpack is machine-washable, use ECOS® Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent on a gentle cycle. If not, fill a bucket with warm water and a small amount of ECOS® All-Purpose Cleaner, and wipe down with a soft cloth.
   
   
3. Pencil cases or small bags: wipe inside and out with a damp cloth and ECOS® All-Purpose Cleaner.
4. Air-dry completely to help prevent odors.

💡 ECOS® Tip: For tough ink or food stains, mix a small amount of Oxo Brite® Multi-Purpose Stain Remover with water and gently scrub. Many users online say it works wonders.

2. Lunch Bags, Bottles & Containers: Daily Care

Food containers can harbor buildup if not cleaned properly, especially in warm climates.

• Wash lunch bags, bottles, and thermos’ daily with ECOS® Foaming Dish Soap. Its rich foam works through grease and food residue without harsh additives.
  
  

• Pay extra attention to lids, spouts, and silicone seals where residue can collect.
• Let everything air-dry completely before reassembling.

💡 ECOS® Tip: For fabric lunch bags, wipe with ECOS® All-Purpose Cleaner or a diluted OxoBrite® Multi-Purpose Stain Remover solution to remove stains and odors.

3. Desks, Tables & Chairs: Cleaner Study Spaces

A tidy, dust-free study area supports focus.

• Wipe desks, chairs, and shelves with a damp cloth and ECOS® All-Purpose Cleaner.
• For stubborn marks (pencil lines, glue residue), use a diluted Oxo Brite® solution and rinse well.
• Don’t forget desk lamps, keyboards, and screens — wipe gently with a slightly damp cloth (avoid excess liquid).
  

4. Kids’ & Teens’ Rooms: Fresh and Organized

• Wash bedding with ECOS® Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent, ideal for sensitive skin.
• Vacuum rugs and open windows daily to refresh the air.
• Clean light switches, door handles, and shelves with ECOS® All-Purpose Cleaner.
• Treat stains on bedspreads or cushions with Oxo Brite®, following package instructions.

5. High-Touch Surfaces: Ongoing Prevention

Small hands touch everything, making high-contact spots important to maintain:

• Door handles
• Light switches
• Dining tables
• Kitchen counters

Wipe regularly with ECOS® All-Purpose Cleaner, suitable for most hard surfaces (avoid unfinished wood).

6. Hand Hygiene: A Daily Essential for Kids and Adults

Along with keeping items clean, back-to-school season is the perfect time to reinforce hand-washing habits:

• Before and after eating
• After using the restroom
• Upon arriving home from school

ECOS® Hypoallergenic Hand Soap is gentle enough for frequent washing, with several plant-powered ingredients and no harsh additives.

7. Oxo Brite®: The Multi-Tasking Favorite on Social Media

While it’s best known as a laundry stain remover, Oxo Brite® is also being used for:

• Cleaning rugs and upholstery
• Brightening white sneakers
• Removing tea and coffee marks from mugs
• Treating wine or coffee stains on table linens
• Deodorizing cutting boards or waste bins

Its mineral-based, oxygen-powered formula is made without chlorine and phosphates.

8. Back-to-School Cleaning Routine

Daily:

• Wash lunch bags, bottles, and containers with ECOS® Foaming Dish Soap.
• Wash hands before and after meals with ECOS® Hypoallergenic Hand Soap.
• Wipe down study tables and homework areas with ECOS® All-Purpose Cleaner.

Weekly:

• Wash backpacks and pencil cases (or clean their exteriors).
• Vacuum bedrooms and shared spaces.
• Wash bedding.
• Use Oxo Brite® for set-in stains or lingering odors on fabrics.

Recommended ECOS® Products for Back-to-School

• ECOS® All-Purpose Cleaner – For desks, backpacks, pencil cases, and high-touch surfaces.
• ECOS® Hypoallergenic Hand Soap – For daily handwashing for kids and adults.
• ECOS® Foaming Dish Soap – Free & Clear – For food containers, utensils, and lunch gear.
• OxoBrite® Multi-Purpose Stain Remover – For laundry, backpacks, lunch bags, and more.

Final Word

Back-to-school is about more than just new supplies — it’s about setting up a safe, organized, and ready-to-learn environment. With ECOS®, you can keep your home fresh and ready for the school year while making thoughtful choices for your family and for the world we share.

✨ ECOS® — For a Cleaner, Safer School Year.