| You tried, after that last hiking "incident" you | | | | hose to remove all traces of soap both inside and |
| swore it would never happen again. But who could | | | | out. |
| have guessed that the rock would have been so | | | | 5. Hang the backpack upside down to air dry for |
| slippery? Now, your best backpack is filthy, dirty | | | | several days, preferably outdoors. DO NOT use |
| both inside and out. And it's still sitting outdoors | | | | the dryer. |
| because of the spoiled food smells. What should | | | | 6. If the backpack is still funky smelling, spray |
| you do now: clean it or throw it away? Once you | | | | with Fabreze® or hunters' Scent-A-Way®. |
| know how to clean a backpack using the following | | | | But be careful because these may remove |
| tips, you never have to worry about throwing a | | | | waterproofing chemicals like Scotch-Guard ® |
| "nasty" backpack ever again. | | | | 7. Store in a cool dry place. Don't cover with |
| Cleaning a Backpack Insideo Turn the backpack | | | | plastic. |
| completely inside out. If it has metal stays, | | | | Cleaning a Camping Backpack in the Washer (if all |
| remove them and set them aside. Dump any | | | | else fails)o DO NOT soak in soapy water. This |
| debris out onto a newspaper. Use a soft brush to | | | | could cause the layers of the backpack to |
| clean off any dried dirt or residue. If you have | | | | delaminate or any waterproofing to deteriorate.o |
| one available you can always, use a vacuum with | | | | Follow the steps 1-3 from above.o Place the |
| a brush attachment.o Wash off the interior using | | | | backpack in the washer. Wash with cold water |
| a little mild detergent with a damp sponge or | | | | only on the delicate cycle with a very mild laundry |
| cloth.o Be sure to clean in all the nooks and | | | | detergent (Ivory Flakes or Woolite). Rinse and let |
| crannies and seams. Use an old toothbrush to dig | | | | air dry for several days.o NOTE: This method is |
| in deep.o Rinse using cold water and clean sponge | | | | for using at the last resort ONLY. Cleaning a |
| or cloth.o Use paper towels to dry the interior of | | | | camping backpack in the washer can cause the |
| the bag completely. | | | | materials in the pack to fall apart. So machine |
| Cleaning a Backpack Outside | | | | wash at your own risk! |
| 1. Turn the backpack right side out now. Use a | | | | Backpack Zipper Care |
| dry brush to remove any loose dirt or dried mud. | | | | Clean a backpack zipper is really easy. First, use |
| 2. Wash off the exterior using a little mild | | | | an old toothbrush to clean out any sand, salt or |
| detergent (dishwashing liquid with degreaser) with | | | | dirt and mud from the zipper teeth. Vacuum if |
| a damp sponge or cloth. | | | | necessary to remove debris. Trim any stray or |
| 3. Be sure to clean in all the pockets, flaps and | | | | loose threads to prevent tangling. Spray very |
| seams. Use an old toothbrush to clean around the | | | | lightly with a silicone spray, occasionally to lube. |
| edging. | | | | Now that you know how to clean your best |
| 4. Rinse using cold water and clean sponge or | | | | backpack, you never have to toss out a |
| cloth. You can submerge the whole pack into tub | | | | malodorous backpack again. |
| of cold water or use a hand held shower head or | | | | |