{"id":914,"date":"2021-04-08T21:21:52","date_gmt":"2021-04-08T21:21:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packitgourmet.com\/blog\/?p=914"},"modified":"2021-04-09T14:36:15","modified_gmt":"2021-04-09T14:36:15","slug":"springclean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/index.php\/2021\/04\/08\/springclean\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Spring Clean Your Outdoor Gear"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After getting home from spending time in the great outdoors, whether it\u2019s a day hike or weeklong camping trip, the last thing anyone feels like doing is cleaning their gear. All too often, exhaustion and procrastination win out, and people tend to stuff their dirty, grimy gear in the far corner of a garage only to discover that, come spring, their tent or backpack has become a Petri dish of nasty stuff. To make matters worse, people often store gear in places where heat and humidity, rodents, and cold temperatures can degrade or even destroy fabrics, stitching, glue, and other components.<\/p>\n<div class=\"compass-distribution-wrapper\" data-compass-channel=\"m4immNemdNe6PpQGJ7u9b7Vo\" data-compass-distribution=\"uX9GrpTLDs76sZHGKZEt3PTc\">\n<p>If that scenario sounds familiar, fear not: With a little know-how and elbow grease, you can save your trusty tent and hiking boots from a similar fate. Here\u2019s what to know about spring cleaning your outdoor gear, plus insider tips on how to give your backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and footwear a little TLC before you hit the trail this season.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #c49233;\"><br \/>\n<strong>BACKPACK CARE<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><strong>Cleaning<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>So, your backpack smells like a locker room trash can. The odor is likely due to sweat, dirt, and that food bag you forgot to empty\u2014all of which not only stink, but can shorten the life of your pack. Another damaging element? Salt from sweat, which can corrode the metal in zippers and breaks down nylon fabrics.<\/p>\n<p>But cleaning your backpack involves a bit more than just tossing it into the washing machine. In fact, don\u2019t even think about doing that: The agitation from a machine can break down fabrics as well as foam in hip belts, shoulder straps, and back panels. Also, straps can get twisted in the components of a top-loading washer.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, first vacuum out dirt and debris. Then, add a delicate detergent to warm water and use a sponge or cloth to wipe the pack down. Some pack manufacturers also recommending avoiding hot water or spot removers, as these can damage the fabric.<\/p>\n<p>As you clean your pack, examine the zippers, which can fail if they\u2019re jammed with dirt and debris. You can vacuum out the dirt, or scrub zippers with a soft nylon brush (like a toothbrush) and cold water.<\/p>\n<p>After you wash the bag, don\u2019t put it in the dryer, either: The heat levels are too intense and can break down fabrics and foams. A good way to dry your pack is to stuff it with newspapers and hang it in the shade.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Storing<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve cleaned your pack, store it in a cool, dry place, and hang it if possible. Don\u2019t leave your pack on the garage floor, because standing water or other liquids like engine oil could seep into the pack and damage it. Also, if your pack is on the floor, mice can chew through the fabric while searching for crumbs.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #c49233;\"><br \/>\n<strong>TENT CARE<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 1044px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.getmatcha.com\/image\/upload\/s--GBz30ftL--\/f_auto,q_auto,t_rr_large_natural\/paspeuusfazt3jwpftux.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1044\" height=\"694\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Check your tent zipper for holes in the fabric from abrasion or snags, and be sure to clean the teeth of gunk or dirt build up.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n<h4><strong><br \/>\nCleaning<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>When you return from camping in the rain, it\u2019s critical to dry your tent to prevent mildew and fungus from forming. The primary problem is that these elements will damage coatings on tent fabrics. Plus, they\u2019ll make the tent stink.<\/p>\n<p>If you do get mildew, it\u2019s very difficult to remove it completely, but you can treat it with a mixture that includes non-detergent soap and one cup each of salt and lemon juice, plus one gallon of hot water. Use this solution and a soft nylon brush to scrub the interior and exterior of the tent as well as the fly. Next, dry the tent in the sun. As with packs, you shouldn\u2019t put your tent in a dryer because excessive heat will damage the fabric and coatings.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Storing<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>It\u2019s fine to store your tent in its stuff sack. The primary concern is to prevent the tent fabric from being exposed to heat and sunlight over a long period of time. If you pitch your tent in the backyard for a campout with the kids, for example, don\u2019t leave it up for weeks at a time. As with your pack, it\u2019s best to store the tent in a cool, dry place off the floor.<\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #c49233;\"><br \/>\nSLEEPING BAG CARE<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 1044px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.getmatcha.com\/image\/upload\/s--lGQr1O-N--\/f_auto,q_auto,t_rr_large_natural\/tqqhh9dgevh0jpszhw1h.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1044\" height=\"814\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Front-loading machines are better for washing down products, especially your sleeping bag. Photo by Marcus Woolf<\/figcaption><\/figure><figcaption><small><br \/>\n<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4><strong>Cleaning<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>During an extended camping trip, a sleeping bag can get pretty ripe. When you get home, use non-detergent soap, water, and a soft brush to clean dirty spots on the shell. Don\u2019t forget to clean the interior of the hood and collar where oil from your body can collect.<\/p>\n<p>If your bag is really grimy, it\u2019s best to wash it at a laundromat, because front-loading machines there won\u2019t agitate the bag as much as your home machine. Also, commercial machines are larger and clean the bag more thoroughly than smaller home machines. It\u2019s important to never wash a bag in a top-loading machine with an agitator, because it could rip the bag and stress fabrics and seams. Also, don\u2019t dry clean a down bag, because the process can break down natural oils in the insulation.<\/p>\n<p>At the laundromat, use cold water, a gentle cycle, and either mild soap or a special cleaning solution designed specifically for down insulation or synthetic insulation. While cleaning the bag, you can also use a special spray to restore its DWR (durable water repellent) coating. You can usually find the cleaning solutions and DWR spray at an outdoor gear store.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Storing<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>You shouldn\u2019t store your bag in its small stuff sack, because over time compressed insulation will lose its loft and its ability to keep you warm. Many bag manufacturers supply a larger net bag for long-term storage, or you can hang the bag in a large cotton sack or even a large pillowcase.<\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #c49233;\"><br \/>\nFOOTWEAR CARE<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 1044px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.getmatcha.com\/image\/upload\/s--iRE8Inj4--\/f_auto,q_auto,t_rr_large_natural\/wawnjjom7ie6hdwsmdnp.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1044\" height=\"793\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Somes shoes are beyond repair, but cleaning and drying footwear properly can extend the life of your gear. Photo by Marcus Woolf<\/figcaption><\/figure><figcaption><small><br \/>\n<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4><strong>Cleaning<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Over time, dirt, mud, and sand can deteriorate the leather in boots and shoes and cause wear and tear on the fabrics and stitching in synthetic footwear. So, to properly care for your boots and shoes, within a day or so of returning from a trip, clean them with a brush and water or a cleaner that the manufacturer recommends. Avoid using detergents and bar soap, because they can harm leather and waterproof membranes in footwear.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Drying and Storing<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>When drying footwear, remove the outsoles and let them air out. It\u2019s best to dry footwear in the house, because you want a cool, dry place that\u2019s not especially humid. If you want shoes or boots to dry faster, put them in front of a fan and stuff them with newspaper. Avoid drying them next to a heater, which can harm the glue and leather in footwear. Also, shoes or boots can break down more quickly if you store them in a place with extreme temperatures or poor ventilation, such as a garage, attic, or the trunk of a car.<\/p>\n<p>If you plan to hike with fairly old shoes or boots, examine them and take them for a test run before you embark on a big trip. Over several years, the glue used to secure the outsole of shoes can simply break down, especially if you\u2019ve kept them in a garage or unconditioned storage facility. We\u2019ve seen outsoles peel off a pair of old boots while a hiking partner was ascending a pass deep in the Sierra Mountains. Though it might make for a good story later, it\u2019s no fun to hike with blown-out boots wrapped in duct tape.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><br \/>\nWritten by Marcus Woolf for RootsRated in partnership with BCBS of AL.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After getting home from spending time in the great outdoors, whether it\u2019s a day hike or weeklong camping trip, the last thing anyone feels like doing is cleaning their gear. All too often, exhaustion and procrastination win out, and people tend to stuff their dirty, grimy gear in the far&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":920,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[67,61,66,50],"class_list":["post-914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to","tag-camping","tag-gear","tag-hiking","tag-how-to"],"acf":[],"avatar_default":"<img width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SpringCleaning_PGhomepg.jpg\" class=\"attachment-minimalo_child_square size-minimalo_child_square\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SpringCleaning_PGhomepg.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SpringCleaning_PGhomepg-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SpringCleaning_PGhomepg-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SpringCleaning_PGhomepg-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SpringCleaning_PGhomepg-64x64.jpg 64w, https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SpringCleaning_PGhomepg-480x480.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/914","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=914"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/914\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.packitgourmet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}