How to clean a backpack

[peregrina2000]

Some of my walking partners this year told me that they regularly soak their pack in the tub with soap, etc, to get some of the worst grime off. Well, that idea had never occurred to me, and I am very embarrassed to say that I have now walked with the same pack for 13 years, and it is really very scuzzy. The model is no longer made, so I can't replace it (though I have watches on ebay), and I love it dearly.

The bathtub process is unlikely to do much for this pack, but I will try it if that's the only option. I have called the drycleaners and they can't do anything to it if it has its internal frame in place, and the frame cannot be removed.

So, any good ideas on how to clean up my beloved pack? Thanks, buen camino, Laurie

 

[AZgirl]

I use a hose, hand it from a branch or clothesline ,mild soap and give it a good rinse outside leaving it to dry thoroughly outside before packing it up.

Here is more detailed and probably better instructions:
https://www.trails.com/how_1485_clean-a-backpack.html

 

[nellpilgrim]

Nope don't clean mine brush off the mud if it get's too grubby but have never washed it. Mind you as I walk in Spring or Autumn on pilgrimage and in Ireland for the rest of the time my pack gets a pretty through 'rinsing' on a depressingly regular basis

 

[Ekelund]

I just cleaned my Osprey the other day, it has been through 2 hiking trips to the Tramuntana Mountains in Malloca, The Portugese Camino, the Camino Ingles and a trek up Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
I put the backpack in a tub with warm water, used detergent for wool and a halfway hard brush and then hung it up to dry on a clothline and it worked wonders!
And I'm pleased to say that my son is using it next week on the Coastal Route in Portugal! It will have to wait a couple of years before I wash it again, I kind of like the thought of the dust from the roads, I have walked is left in my backpack.

 

[Kanga]

If we arrive back in Australia with mud on anything it gets instantly whipped away by the quarantine service. I don't know how they do it but it is the best cleaning service I know.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Hey Laurie, I've never washed mine either.
It has that "lived in" fragrance! lol!

But seriously, even though it's an internal frame, the frame pieces should come out for cleaning?
Inside mine, there are velcro envelopes that hold the frame.
Have you looked closely?

 

[KinkyOne]

Some of my walking partners this year told me that they regularly soak their pack in the tub with soap, etc, to get some of the worst grime off. Well, that idea had never occurred to me, and I am very embarrassed to say that I have now walked with the same pack for 13 years, and it is really very scuzzy. The model is no longer made, so I can't replace it (though I have watches on ebay), and I love it dearly.

The bathtub process is unlikely to do much for this pack, but I will try it if that's the only option. I have called the drycleaners and they can't do anything to it if it has its internal frame in place, and the frame cannot be removed.

So, any good ideas on how to clean up my beloved pack? Thanks, buen camino, Laurie

When my ex once asked me how I wash my backpack I was simply speechless. That was the first time in ca.30 years of using them in my life and had never heard of anything like that. I'm still speechless

 

[dougfitz]

If we arrive back in Australia with mud on anything it gets instantly whipped away by the quarantine service. I don't know how they do it but it is the best cleaning service I know.

I was reminded that it might be time to clean my day pack when I arrived back in Sydney after a trip to the Philippines, and in the baggage reclaim area the customs quarantine staff were moving through the crowd at the carousel with their sniffer dogs. I sensed something unusual and looked down to find this cute little beagle sitting quietly by my bag! While no 'contraband' was found when we emptied and stripped the bag, I have been careful ever since to make sure that I give my bag a good clean out a day or so before my return flight.

On the original question, I prefer the sink/tub/bathtub approach and use a scent and softener free liquid detergent I also use for my hiking clothing.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Laurie, do you have a top loader?
If so, open it up and look BELOW where the top is attached to the bottom.
Mine has sturdy velcro channels where I can slip out the internal frame.

 

[annakappa]

We don't have a tub/bath in our house! Only showers!

 

[peregrina2000]

Thanks, everyone. Annie, my pack unzips all around in a U shape, and I've looked at the inside. I was surprised to see that the tubing of the internal frame is actually plastic, and I see that I could probably pull it out but I would be very likely to be unable to get it back in. My pack is an ancient Mountainsmith Ghost, out of production for the last 8 years or so. There is a new version out, apparently, but it is different, and I'm not changing. So I guess I'll try the soaking method when I screw up my courage and report back later! Laurie

 

[Mark Lee]

Wash in tub with a mild dish detergent. Use a sponge or soft brush. Bring outside and rinse off all soap with garden hose. Hang dry in sun for a couple of hours. After dry give it a light spray down with scotch-guard.
Good as new.

 

[Sofia-Richmond]

I use a hose, hand it from a branch or clothesline ,mild soap and give it a good rinse outside leaving it to dry thoroughly outside before packing it up.

Here is more detailed and probably better instructions:
https://www.trails.com/how_1485_clean-a-backpack.html

Thanks for sharing this link.

 

[C clearly]

My backpack (Osprey Talon 33) has been washed in hot soapy water in a tub, and dried in a hot drier, as bedbug treatment. That's probably not recommended, but I was traveling and couldn't freeze it for a week. (I have done that on other occasions, too.)

 

[Introibo]

After trying out and selecting a new day pack last weekend the demos went back on the hangers
and the shop handed over a brand new unopened pack still in its plastic wrapping. When I got it out
at home it had an awful musty smell to it. So, after removing the foam insert that's used to give
the pack shape, I put the now floppy pack into the washing machine and ran it through a 30 degree
wash. Dried it out overnight in the airing cupboard, put the foam backing back in and it now smells
lovely.

 

[Phillypilgrim]

I put my Osprey Tallon 33 in the machine on gentle, then flat dry. Twice. It works for me. {)

 

[Anniesantiago]

I don't think I"ll ever wash mine.
I don't want to ruin it plus nobody who is walking cares what you smell like.
Mine has aired out in the sun and is fine.
I see no reason to wash it, even after all these years.

 

[newfydog]

I seldom wash one, but I do stick it in the freezer for a week to finish off any bedbugs that might want to colonize my house.

 

[t2andreo]

Greetings from Santiago. I am here working as a volunteer at the Pilgrim Office until 10 August.

There is a commercial product called "Nik Wax." It is sold in outdoors shops in the U.S. as well as in Europe. I have seen in at several Decathlon stores, and A. S. Adventure in Belgium.

To use it, you prepare a BATH using a measured amount of the product. Light suds result. The rucksack is immersed in the tub and soaked thoroughly. Agutate mildly using your hands to ensure full penetration of the fabric.

After waiting enough time for the solution to completely soak the rucksack, you can go to work on stains with an old toothbrush, or a vegetable brush (has stiffer bristles).

After you have removed as much dirt as possible. Drain, rinse, repeat until all suds are gone. Then air dry the bag for as long as it takes for the bag to dry completely. My Osprey Kestrel 48 takes about 2 days to dry completely on my condo balcony.

The frame remains inside during this process.

Note: The Nik Wax product cleans the nylon fabric and ALSO restores water repellency.

I hope this helps.

 

[movinmaggie]

I use a hose, hand it from a branch or clothesline ,mild soap and give it a good rinse outside leaving it to dry thoroughly outside before packing it up.

Here is more detailed and probably better instructions:
https://www.trails.com/how_1485_clean-a-backpack.html

Helpful article…..in step 3, it suggests using silicone for zippers. Another method is to rub bar soap on zippers. It works great.

 

[whariwharangi]

I put mine in the bath and fill the tub with luke warm water and swish the pack around then let it soak for a while. This is usually enough to get the dirt off the pack. If I feel the need to use soap ... usually because the pack reeks of stale sweat ... I use a capful of Woolite.

There is no need to remove the frame ... the pack won't stay wet long enough to do damage.

Woolite is good for cleaning sleeping bags too.

 

[whariwharangi]

Greetings from Santiago. I am here working as a volunteer at the Pilgrim Office until 10 August.

There is a commercial product called "Nik Wax." It is sold in outdoors shops in the U.S. as well as in Europe. I have seen in at several Decathlon stores, and A. S. Adventure in Belgium.

To use it, you prepare a BATH using a measured amount of the product. Light suds result. The rucksack is immersed in the tub and soaked thoroughly. Agutate mildly using your hands to ensure full penetration of the fabric.

After waiting enough time for the solution to completely soak the rucksack, you can go to work on stains with an old toothbrush, or a vegetable brush (has stiffer bristles).

After you have removed as much dirt as possible. Drain, rinse, repeat until all suds are gone. Then air dry the bag for as long as it takes for the bag to dry completely. My Osprey Kestrel 48 takes about 2 days to dry completely on my condo balcony.

The frame remains inside during this process.

Note: The Nik Wax product cleans the nylon fabric and ALSO restores water repellency.

I hope this helps.

I use niki wax to water proof my boots. I wasn't aware it was a cleaning product too.

 

[domigee]

Nikwax for my bag too (Osprey Exos). Wash in bath, rinse and dry out. Good as new!
http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=4

 

[Kim DeCelles]

I seldom wash one, but I do stick it in the freezer for a week to finish off any bedbugs that might want to colonize my house.

never thought of this....very interesting!!

 

[nc6000]

This is what Deuter have to say regarding cleaning their packs.

"It is better to place the backpack in a tub or shower filled with water and wash with ph-neutral soap. Dirt and stains can be easily cleaned with a soft brush. Salt stains on the carrying system can be removed by simply washing with soap and plenty of water. Make sure to always store the pack in a dry place!"

http://www.deuter.com/DE/en/care-tips/deuter-backpack-maintenance-45-819.html?details

I cleaned my Deuter Futura 32 in a bath with soap and it cleaned up pretty well. I reckon I've walked about 1,500KMs with it and some of those days were pretty hot so it needed a good clean!

Afterwards I just hung it on the line for a while in the sun and it's as good as new.