Our bags look really good and there's a lot you can do to keep it that way for as long as possible. But like a haircut, it's not enough to do it anyhow, you have to do it right. The bags do not belong in the washing machine. They are not designed to go through a spin cycle or end up in a dryer. The seams and material can be affected by prolonged exposure to detergent, and the heat of a dryer can warp and wrinkle the material. Additionally, it is extremely difficult to completely dry the padded parts of the bag after they have been completely soaked for an extended period of time. The foam used for padding is porous and therefore traps water when fully submerged and compressed - similar to a sponge being squeezed under water. Much like the natural aging process, there is one thing that will deteriorate with the bag over time. The water-repellent coating applied to the outside of our 1000D nylon material will gradually wear away. This is a completely normal process and unavoidable because constant rubbing or scrubbing of the surface wears down the coating. After a certain, albeit very long, time, you will notice that water that falls on the bag no longer rolls off and runs off as usual. But that can be changed again. To do this, the bag should first be cleaned with a damp sponge or a soft cloth and possibly with a little shampoo. This removes surface dirt and protects the material. The bag should then be allowed to dry thoroughly. You can then apply a commercially available textile waterproofing spray, such as that used for outdoor jackets. Then let the bag dry thoroughly again and the coating will be as good as new again. Plastic parts or plastic-coated textile materials can also be cleaned and maintained with commercially available plastic care products. Please follow the usage instructions for the appropriate care products. You can find further information about our materials and care instructions here: Materials & Care Instructions