Proper care for your pack is pivotal to ensuring your gear can travel through all your adventures with you as long as possible. This elongates the lifespan of your gear, while making it look clean and maintaining its mint condition!
1) Remove Any Dirt After Every Trip
Every time you return from a backpacking trip:
- Completely empty your bag.
- Open all zippers and turn the pack inside out to remove all dirt.
- Complete the cleaning by brushing fabric with a soft brush to remove dry mud and dirt.
Once a year:
- Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of dirt when doing a spring clean at the beginning or end of the season, when preparing your bag for cleaning with water and soap.
- Wash by hand using very gentle soap. After a season of backpacking, your pack deserves a deep clean to restore it.
- To ensure fabrics retain their properties (especially waterproofing, very important to protect bag contents when it unexpectedly rains), we recommend that you do not machine wash, tumble dry, dry clean, iron or bleach your backpack.
- The safest way to wash your backpack is by hand. To clean your backpack by hand, we recommend using warm, soapy water and a brush. Do not hesitate to spend more time on the straps, the back and stomach strap and all parts which are in direct contact with the body. Rinse thoroughly using warm water.
2) Allow to Dry Naturally After Every Trip
The drying stage is essential after hosing down. However, this is a step which should be built into your routine when you return from walking. In essence, your perspiration may be on the bag or it could have been in a shower.
In both cases, the method is the same. Open all the zips, remove the detachable parts (the adjustable back for example), and allow the bag to dry in a place without moisture, away from direct sunlight. If you can hang it upside down. Avoid placing your bag next to a direct heat source, such as a radiator, otherwise, you risk damaging it.
3) Re-Waterproofing When Required
After a few years of use, renew the fabric’s water repellent properties using a “waterproofing” spray. It is vital to thoroughly clean your bag before applying a waterproofing or water-repellency treatment.
4) Store in a Dry Place
Finally, store your backpack in a dry place to avoid the formation of mold. Avoid storing in the cellar and opt for a closet. Hang it or lay it flat rather than having it sitting up.
Follow these simple steps to guarantee your backpacking pack a long and healthy life!