Zen And The Art Of Washing Your Backpack

“Sweated balls this weekend, and my backpack did a swell job of absorbing just about ALL the sweat. And since I've only wiped the packcloth down with a wet towel and not given it a thorough cleaning, I took the shoulderstraps, packlid, and hipstrap off and did some handwashing of them in warm and mild-soapy water. Boy do those babies look, feel and smell clean now. This afternoon the packbody gets the dunk and wash.

Anybody else do this once in a while?”

“Take it to the coin op car wash and hose it with the pressure washer, rinse only. I haven't tried it yet but sure would liketo know how it works. Birch says thats how he used to clean his gear in the army.

Apparently he used simple green, a scrub brush, and the garden hose last year after our 5 day canoe trip.”

“I would consider using some product to restore some water repellancy after a detergent cleaning.”

“Mine's about due for the suds-o-rama treatment, the straps are a little ripe after that last hike. It could use a fresh coating of waterproofing spray once it dries, too. Thanks for reminding me!”

“.......wouldnt it be great if one could get the stink out, really get that stench out especially on those BP straps, the first time I really noticed that smell was from my watch band and it was actualy coming from my bare wrist, whew I thought I had gange green (sp), no more watches warn on my wrist, that doesnt work with the pack.......”

“I talked to a dood at Gregory about re-DWR-ing my pack after washing. To clean he recommended a very-mild soap like a down wash or the like. And as far as waterproofing, any of the usual "techy gear" repellency such as NikWax wash-in or spray-on, Revivex, but most noteably Tech-Tron.

Now I have to find some of the DWR crap (I'll be near an outfitter next weekend).”

“Sweated Balls?”

“when...






...people wonder what that smell is at the trailhead...


...animals start to use it as a salt lick...


...it can stand up without the frame...”