| You tried, after that last hiking incident you | | | | submerge the whole pack into tub of cold water |
| swore it would never happen again. But who could | | | | or use a hand held shower head or hose to |
| have guessed that the rock would have been so | | | | remove all traces of soap both inside and out.5. |
| slippery? Now, your best backpack is filthy, dirty | | | | Hang the backpack upside down to air dry for |
| both inside and out. And it’s still sitting | | | | several days, preferably outdoors. DO NOT use |
| outdoors because of the spoiled food smells. | | | | the dryer. 6. If the backpack is still funky smelling, |
| What should you do now: clean it or throw it | | | | spray with Fabreze® or hunters’ |
| away? Once you know how to clean a backpack | | | | Scent-A-Way®. But be careful because these |
| using the following tips, you never have to worry | | | | may remove waterproofing chemicals like |
| about throwing a nasty backpack ever | | | | Scotch-Guard ®7. Store in a cool dry place. |
| again. Cleaning a Backpack Inside Turn the | | | | Don’t cover with plastic.Cleaning a Camping |
| backpack completely inside out. If it has metal | | | | Backpack in the Washer (if all else fails) DO |
| stays, remove them and set them aside. Dump | | | | NOT soak in soapy water. This could cause the |
| any debris out onto a newspaper. Use a soft | | | | layers of the backpack to delaminate or any |
| brush to clean off any dried dirt or residue. If you | | | | waterproofing to deteriorate. Follow the steps |
| have one available you can always, use a vacuum | | | | 1-3 from above. Place the backpack in the |
| with a brush attachment. Wash off the | | | | washer. Wash with cold water only on the delicate |
| interior using a little mild detergent with a damp | | | | cycle with a very mild laundry detergent (Ivory |
| sponge or cloth. Be sure to clean in all the | | | | Flakes or Woolite). Rinse and let air dry for |
| nooks and crannies and seams. Use an old | | | | several days. NOTE: This method is for using |
| toothbrush to dig in deep. Rinse using cold | | | | at the last resort ONLY. Cleaning a camping |
| water and clean sponge or cloth. Use paper | | | | backpack in the washer can cause the materials in |
| towels to dry the interior of the bag | | | | the pack to fall apart. So machine wash at your |
| completely.Cleaning a Backpack Outside1. Turn the | | | | own risk!Backpack Zipper CareClean a backpack |
| backpack right side out now. Use a dry brush to | | | | zipper is really easy. First, use an old toothbrush |
| remove any loose dirt or dried mud.2. Wash off | | | | to clean out any sand, salt or dirt and mud from |
| the exterior using a little mild detergent | | | | the zipper teeth. Vacuum if necessary to remove |
| (dishwashing liquid with degreaser) with a damp | | | | debris. Trim any stray or loose threads to |
| sponge or cloth.3. Be sure to clean in all the | | | | prevent tangling. Spray very lightly with a silicone |
| pockets, flaps and seams. Use an old toothbrush | | | | spray, occasionally to lube. Now that you know |
| to clean around the edging.4. Rinse using cold | | | | how to clean a backpack, you never have to toss |
| water and clean sponge or cloth. You can | | | | out a malodorous backpack again. |