Stinky pack question?

“My brother's house burned on Saturday morning. Thank God he wasn't home! Sounds like a lightening storm caused power failure and the surge when it kicked back on burned up some old wiring in the wall.

He was renting, but didn't have insurance--Poor college student. He lost everything, and I mean everything! The four outside walls were standing, but there weren't even any interior walls left. The only things salvagable were a fews tools in his laundry room and my backpack that he was borrowing!

I don't know why it was spared, but it was including my 0 degree bag and sleeping pad. Everything around it was charred!

Anyway, it has some smoke damage. Mild discoloration and an awful stink. Any ideas on cleaning it to get the smell out without damaging it. It's been out under my carport airing out since the weekend, but it still stinks! I've been told to wash it in strong ammonia and then use Fabreeze??

If I have to pitch it, that's OK, I'm just glad my brother was OK. He's staying with his girlfriend for now and family and friends have sent money and clothes etc.”

“You did check for turds I hope.
Some TTers have reported this problem in the past. ;-)”

“Does your poor brother need any donations? If so I have some jeans, shirts, etc.”

“what size is he.... I have some stuff too that may fit.....”

“I have a very old wool Army blanket which I keep in my car's trunk (through 4 cars so far). Two cars ago the trunk leaked and the blanket got a mold smell that wouldn't wash away using ANYTHING. Many washings and airings later I tried half cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar and presto... the smell was immediately gone. You can also use that combo to get rid of soap scum in your tub (off-topic).

Worth a shot on that stuff. Usual warnings - this combo is gentle, but you never know with the specialized fabrics in use today. Then again, the stuff is trash anyway.”

“Here's a copy and paste answer I got from a google search of "laundry questions":Do you have any suggestions for removing smoke smell from clothing after a fire?
Answer: The smoke residue attached to the clothing is mainly tar and soot. Generally the residue is not water soluble, making normal washing with detergents ineffective.

You might try soaking one load in the washer overnight using a detergent containing oxygen bleach. In checking with resources, I am told that Ozone can be effective in eliminating the smell of smoke from porous materials such as clothing.

Check with local dry cleaners regarding smoke removal - some even may have an Ozone generator.”

“Oh, and when I say use 'half cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar', I mean in your clothes washer like any other load of laundry, but don't use any other detergents. Bleach and vinegar for one produce toxic fumes.”

“He's getting a lot of help locally, but I do appreciate the offers to help. You are all so quick to go the extra mile to help someone you don't even know. It's good to know there are people like that on your side.

I'll go ahead and give you the info, but leave it up to you whether you want to send anything. Please don't go out of your way too much.

Pants: 32-34 waist/ 32-34 length

Shirt: Large to XL

Shoe: 12-12 1/2

He also lost all his camping gear, except for the larger pack he was borrowing from me.

He lost: Headlamp
Sleeping pad
Pack
Hammock
Hiking Boots
An entire collection of pocket knives
Compass
Water Filter
Hiking Socks/shirts pants etc
Sleeping Bags: Summer and Winter
Cook Set
MSR Stove and Fuel bottles

I had just recently gotten him into backpacking with me and he was slowly building up some gear when he could afford it.

If anyone has any extra gear they're going to toss, I'm sure he'd take anything you have. He was planning to travel to Europe after he finishes college this year and backpack for several months.

Stuff can be sent to me at:

John Farless
2819 Tell Street
Tell City, IN 47586”

“Bummer.”

“Thanks for the washing tips too! I'm going to try a few tonight.

How did that go again? Add the bleach to the vinegar? and then what....


Hope everyone is doing great. I haven't been able to post in awhile. Don't have time to read many threads, but Budder got me with his body find thread. #$&*@!!”

“Ha, he's about the same sizes as HPM! I'll see what we can do.”

“IJ - I've got the following to send you

compass
black diamond headlamp
MSR stainless cook pot
MSR water filter -
MSR international stove

No guarantees on the filter and stove cause it's my extras but he's welcome to it. He may need to do a little maintenance work”

“I'm a little confused. Is it the pack that's stinky or your sleeping bag and pad. If its the sleeping bag, what kind of fill is it. You could ruin the fill if you're not careful.

I've got some clothing that would fit him. I hope he doesn't mind middle-aged man clothes.”

“You are all too kind!

I don't know if the bag is smelly, but I'm sure it is. It was in the pack. It's a synthetic fill, I'll check when I get home.”

“Any luck getting the stink out?”

“Didn't get a chance to try last night. It appears the 0 degree sleeping bag is 100 Nylon with a 100 linen fill?

Will this be OK to wash in a machine?”

“Thanks for the link! I'll think I'll risk the front loading machine. I don't think I'll get the smell out hand washing.”

“isn't burn smell considered damage??
I would definatelly ask the insurance about it.”

“There was no insurance Gemini. He was a poor college student. I know I didn't have renter's insurance when I was in college.”

“Make sure it's a front loading machine. I used a top loading once and there were several tears in the outter shell. I was able to sew them shut because I couldn't afford a new bag at the time, but lost the integrity of the bag. Also, use powder soap, not liquid. Less harsh on the bag.”

“Hey Indian John I have a sleeping bag, it's not a real great one but it's a coleman large,or tall size. I inherited when my friend died..you think he would want that?”

“Rox, I'm sure he would welcome anything right now. I'd be willing to pay shipping on anything anyone sends. Not sure how that works. Could you send it COD or something?”

“I got your package Violin! Many, many thanks! Peace will be stopping by tonight to pick up some more things so I'll pass them on.

My brother, Peace, (yes that's really his name) is doing pretty well for the circumstances. He's in good spirits and taking things day by day. Some friends of his in a local band are holding benefit concert to help raise some money to get him back on his feet.

Thanks again to everyone here that helped in some way.”

“What all does your brother still need? I have a bunch of extra stuff he might be able to use.”

“Goodsam, Sorry I missed your post. The only thing I ever received were a few clothes, so he still needs pretty much everything.

BTW, I finally got the smell out of my pack. I washed it with amonia and heavy detergent in a front loader then air dried in the sun for a couple days and then washed again. Second time the smell is all gone. I just hope I didn't damage any seams. I'm going to put some seam sealer on it in the next couple days.

The sleeping bag came clean after teh first washing, but it was protected inside a stuff sack.”