Yes. Both the Suzy and the Fifi are fully machine washable, air dry only, no dryer. That single rule (cold wash, air dry, skip the heat) covers most of what you need to know, but the details matter once milk actually gets involved.
Pumping is messy. Bottles leak in transit. Flanges drip on the drive home. A wet pump part gets tucked into a pocket "just for now" and forgotten until it isn't.
Fifi: Neoprene, Built for the Wash
Fifi is made from neoprene, the same flexible, water-resistant material used in wetsuits. That's what makes it a true machine washable pump bag: not just stain-resistant, but built to get fully wet and come out fine.
The Fifi ($115) is a compact mini backpack designed for wearable and portable pumps, the little sibling to Fiona (Sarah Wells' original neoprene backpack) at roughly half the volume. If you're pumping with a Spectra S1, a Willow, an Elvie, or anything on the smaller end, Fifi is sized for exactly that, and you can toss the whole thing in the wash when the week has been a lot.
Suzy: Machine Washable Too, With the Same Air-Dry Rule
Suzy is machine washable and air dry, no dryer. She prefers a gentler air dry approach, so treat her the same way you'd treat Fifi in the wash: cold cycle, mild detergent, and lay flat or hang to dry instead of tumbling.
Suzy ($99) is one of the most budget-friendly totes in the lineup at $99, with a tall, narrow profile and an oversized insulated side pocket built for even the largest portable pumps. It's a favorite with teachers and anyone who wants a work bag and a pump bag combined into one, without the bulk.
Which Sarah Wells Bags Are Machine Washable
Not every Sarah Wells bag goes in the wash the same way, so it's worth knowing where yours falls:
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Machine washable, air dry: Fiona, Fifi, Allie, Suzy, and the PackSWell organizer set
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Spot clean recommended: Lizzy, Kelly, and similar structured tote and backpack styles
If you're not sure which category your bag falls into, check the care details on its product page before you run it through a full wash.
How to Machine Wash Your Pump Bag
Whether it's Suzy or Fifi, here's how to actually wash it without wrecking it:
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Empty every pocket. Remove pump parts, cords, papers, snacks, all of it. Check the side pockets and the hidden pocket too.
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Unzip everything. Wash with zippers open so water and detergent actually reach the fabric.
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Use cold water, gentle cycle. Hot water can warp the material over time.
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Mild detergent only. Skip bleach and heavy-duty stain removers. They break down the material faster than normal wear does.
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Air dry, always. No dryer. Lay it flat or hang it and let it dry on its own. Heat is the one thing that can genuinely damage these bags.
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Reshape while damp. Gently pushing pockets and edges back into shape while the bag is still slightly damp helps it dry looking like itself again.
That's the whole process. No special detergent, no dry cleaner, no hand-wringing over whether it'll survive the wash.
Caring for Bags in between Machine Washes and Non-Machine Washable
If you're carrying an Abby, or need a clean in between washes, the care routine is simpler but more frequent:
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Spot clean with a damp cloth and a small amount of dish or hand soap.
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Go over the area again with plain water to rinse out any soap residue, so nothing dries stiff or leaves a film.
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Air dry before packing it back up.
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Avoid saturating the whole bag. These totes aren't designed to be fully submerged or run through a washing machine, so treat spills as they happen instead of waiting for a deep clean.
What to Do the Moment Milk Spills Inside Your Bag before you can wash your bag?
Milk happens. Here's the move the second you notice it:
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Blot, don't rub. Rubbing pushes milk deeper into the fabric or lining.
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Wipe the area with a damp cloth and a little soap, regardless of which bag you're carrying.
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If it's a machine washable bag and the spill is significant, that's your cue for a full wash rather than a spot clean.
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Air dry fully before repacking. Milk left damp inside a closed bag is how odors set in.
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For a lingering smell, a light baking soda sprinkle left in the empty bag overnight, then shaken out, handles most residual odor before your next wash.
The sooner you catch it, the easier the cleanup. A spill that sits for a day is a different problem than one you catch in the parking lot.
The Epic Warranty Backs All of It
Proper care keeps a bag looking good. The epic warranty is what backs it up structurally. Sarah Wells bags are built to outlast the pumping years entirely, which matters if you're on kid two or planning for a third. Wash it right, and an epic warranty means the bag itself isn't the thing you have to worry about replacing between kids.
The Bottom Line
Suzy and Fifi both go in the wash: cold cycle, mild detergent, air dry, no dryer. If you're carrying a different Sarah Wells bag, check its own care details first, since some styles are built for a quick spot clean instead of a full wash. Either way, the mess of pumping doesn't have to mean a bag that looks worn out after six months.
