A MUM has sparked a huge debate amongst other parents on how to really wash the kids’ backpacks before term starts.
Balkan Paar, who is a mum-of-five, shared a video of her cleaning her kids’ school bags on TikTok and it has since gained over 10 million views.
But it has left other mums and parents stunned, especially after witnessing the type of brands the school bags were.
Balkan, who goes by the name of @mumunddadvonfivekids on TikTok, filmed herself washing the Ergobag school bags, which cost between £58 to £180.
She revealed the best way to do it was to place them in the bath and use a shower hose on them.
The mum first started off by placing each bag in the bath, before filling up a bucket with what appears to be body wash, a sponge and a cleaning powder.
She then rips any excess materials like stickers from the bag and puts them to one side.
The mum then sprays vanish oxidant foam inside the bags, in the attempt to get rid of the stains from pens.
Balkan then filled up the bucket with the water from her shower hose, before then soaking the bags in the bath.
Then she gets a scrubbing brush, and uses the soapy water from the bucket.
The mum uses circular movements with a brush, to get the grime and dirt from it.
She makes sure she scrubs the inside, and outside and any hidden pockets before hosing down and letting them dry on the side of the bath.
Damn right she used it for two years
TikTok mum
The video, which has been shared over 10,000 times, certainly caused a debate amongst parents.
One wrote: “Honestly, the washing machine would have saved you time and energy.
“But 42.1k liked your video so I guess the time and energy spent was worth it after all.”
However, someone else added: “Those backpacks cost almost $200 each. I would be washing them the same way.”
It appeared that parents were divided on whether she should have used a washing machine or not, as another parent wrote: “I use washing machine.”
A second said: “Washing Machine works great as well Just saying.”
Shower hose
A third wrote: “I also wash my daughter’s book bag weekly.”
Someone else said: “Yup. My daughter’s backpack was $101 plus tax! Damn right she used it for two years! And now I use it for swim class.”
Back to school deals to be had
SEVERAL major supermarkets and retailers are set to launch their sell-out uniform deals.
Prices for the bundles and offers start at just £5
Among the chains offering bargain deals on kids’ uniforms are Aldi, Marks and Spencer, and Tesco.
Asda
Asda’s George range offers the following key pieces:
Boys Uniform
- 2-pack polo shirt – regular fit or 2pk short sleeves shirt – from £3
- 2-pack slim leg adjustable waist trousers – from £8
- 2-pack basic sweatshirt – from £5
- Black double strap cupsole school shoes – from £10
Girls Uniform
- 2-pack scallop polo shirt – regular fit or 2 pack short sleeve shirt – from £3
- 2-pack pleated skirt – from £8
- 2-pack basic cardigan – from £8
- 2 pack short sleeve shirts – from £5
- 2-pack white short sleeve school polo shirts – from £3
Peacocks
Discount fashion retailer Peacocks is offering its cheap uniform range in all stores with 20% off from July 28.
Its kids’ uniform goes from age 2-3 up to age 14-15 years, which is a new age range for this year.
Among its key items are:
- Kids blouse – £5/£6/£7
- Kids polo 2-pack – £6/£7/£8
- Kids skinny trousers – £9/£10/£11
- Kids bootcut trousers – £9/£10/£11
- Kids Bengaline super skinny trousers – £8/£9/£10
M&S
M&S has held prices on its school uniform since 2021 and has confirmed the return of its popular 20% off school uniform early bird offer from July 2.
You can get the discount by shopping online or in stores where uniform is stocked.
Some examples of its range include:
- From £7 for a 3 pack of 100% responsibly sourced cotton unisex polo shirts, featuring stain-resistant technology
- From £11 for 2pk Boys’ Slim Leg School Trousers
- From £12 for 2pk Girls’ Pleated School Pinafores
Tesco
Tesco is bringing back its 25% off uniform deal again this year, the sale starts on July 23.
It doesn’t tend to run for a long time, so it might be a good idea to stock up while you can.
You need to ensure you have your Tesco Clubcard or app when you get to the till so the discount is applied.
Tesco is yet to reveal the exact items available in the offer.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s says it has maintained its 2022 prices on its school uniform.
It is said to be introducing its 25% off sale on June 19.
Last year you could pick up two packs of polo shirts starting from £3, trousers from £4 and two packs of gingham dresses from £10 both online and in stores.