I know there are some people out there who love doing laundry. They find all of the steps leading up to clean folded laundry therapeutic and they actually look forward to laundry day. I am not one of those people. I don't dislike it since I'm a huge fan of fresh, clean clothes, however, I don't love it. It's one of those tasks I always finding myself putting off to the very last minute.
There are many reasons I'm not on team I heart laundry. One reason is the laundry bag I've used the last few years is not that big, which means laundry day comes much quicker. Another reason is I have to walk down a flight of stairs to do my laundry. My laundry bag is a bit awkward, making it a pain to schlep down my stairs.
I figured it was time to update my laundry bag situation along with everyone else in my family. So, I grabbed a large heavy canvas laundry bag with handles from ToteBag Factory! Not only is this laundry tote super sturdy, but it also comes with a handle! I can really pack in my clothes making my laundry days not as frequent. I'm also obsessed with the handle on it. I can toss this baby over my shoulder and head down to my laundry room with no issues. This is such a major win in my book!
I also love that since it's a blank canvas it can totally be customized. Being the good mom that I am, I decided to make a custom laundry tote for my son, Thomas. Now, he's only 3, but I figure if I can start him young getting his clothes in the laundry basket I'll be winning! Check out the full video tutorial below to see how you can make your own DIY custom laundry tote bag!
Supplies:
- ToteBagFactory Large Heavy Canvas Laundry Bag with Shoulder Strap
- Decoart SoSoft Fabric Paint in Lamp Black
- Paint Brush
- Iron-on Vinyl in Black
- Cricut Maker (You can also hand cut your vinyl letters)
- Cricut EasyPress (can also use an iron)
- Painter's Tape
Step 1: Wash and dry your laundry bag without fabric softener to removing any sizing. Press with an iron if wrinkly.
Step 2: Add painter’s tape toward the middle of the bag. Then, add another piece of tape below it, creating a thin line.
Step 3: Go over the line with paint in a circular motion. Be sure to add a little bit of paint at a time to the brush so it doesn’t bleed.
Step 4: After you add the paint, remove both pieces of tape.
Step 5: Once the paint is dry, add a piece of painter’s tape on top of the line you just stenciled.
Step 6: Then, add another piece of painter’s tape 2” down. Begin stenciling in the line with black paint. Remove both pieces of tape when finished.
Step 7: Once the paint is dry, add a piece of painter’s tape over the stencil lined about ¾” from the bottom of the line.
Step 8: Add another piece of painter’s tape below, creating another thin line. Add paint and remove just the top piece of tape when finished.
Step 9: Place another piece of painter’s tape about a ½” below the other piece of tape, stencil the line, and then remove both pieces of tape.
Step 10: Either use a Cricut machine to cut out a name from the iron-on vinyl, or you can print out a name template from a computer, trace it onto the vinyl, and cut.
Step 11: Place the vinyl on top of the first line (with the matte side down) and iron it according to the instructions on the vinyl packaging.
Step 12: Slowly remove the vinyl liner.
Tips for Best Results
So, you’ve got your canvas tote bag large and a killer design in mind—now it’s time to make the magic happen! But before you fire up that iron, let’s go over some pro tips to ensure your masterpiece doesn’t turn into a peeling, faded mess.
Before You Start: The Prep Work
First things first, picking the right transfer paper is crucial. If your tote bag is light-colored, go for light fabric transfer paper, which blends seamlessly with the fabric but requires mirroring your design before printing. If your tote is dark-colored, you’ll need dark transfer paper, which prints as is and comes with an opaque background. Choose wisely, or your masterpiece might turn into an accidental Picasso.
Now, let’s talk image quality—because pixelated blobs are not a vibe. Make sure your design is at 300 DPI (dots per inch) for a crisp, professional look. If it looks blurry on your screen, it’ll look even worse on fabric! Once you print your design (on the correct side of the transfer paper, please!), let it dry for at least five minutes before handling. Rushing this step is like touching wet nail polish—just don’t do it.
Before you iron anything, give your tote bag a good pre-press with the iron to remove any wrinkles. A smooth surface means better adhesion, and you don’t want your design to warp around unexpected creases. Also, don’t use an ironing board—it’s too soft. Instead, go for a sturdy wooden or heatproof surface so your transfer gets even heat distribution.
The Moment of Truth: Applying the Transfer
Now, set your iron to high heat (cotton setting) and—this is important—turn off the steam. Steam is the enemy here; it adds moisture, which weakens the transfer’s hold. If you’re using a heat press, 350°F (175°C) for 30–60 seconds is the sweet spot.
When ironing, use firm, even pressure and move in slow circles. Think of it as giving your design a deep-tissue massage—press too lightly, and it won’t stick; press too hard, and you might scorch it. Be extra thorough around the edges and corners, since they’re the first to lift over time.
Now, here’s where people mess up: peeling. If you’re using light transfer paper, peel it off while it’s still warm—but do it gently, like peeling off a sticker without stretching it. If you’re using dark transfer paper, have some patience and let it cool completely before removing the backing.
Aftercare: Making It Last
You’ve done the hard part, but don’t ruin your work by tossing your tote in the wash right away. Give it 24 hours to fully set before exposing it to water. When you do wash it, turn the bag inside out and use cold water on a gentle cycle—or better yet, hand wash it. Harsh detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners? Avoid them like spoilers for your favorite TV show.
When drying, air drying is king. Heat from dryers can cause peeling and cracking, and you didn’t put all this effort in just to watch your design flake off. If you must use a dryer, set it to low heat or no heat at all.
Finally, if you notice your design starting to lift over time, don’t panic! Simply place a parchment paper sheet over it and re-iron for 10–15 seconds using medium heat and firm pressure. This little trick will help it stick back down, keeping your tote looking fresh for longer.
And there you have it! Follow these steps, and your DIY tote will be turning heads (for the right reasons) in no time. Now go forth and customize with confidence!
That’s it! You now have a DIY custom laundry bag that can house all of your dirty laundry as well as be displayed since it’s so chic!
