How to Clean a Hiking Backpack? There is no way your hiking backpack won’t need cleaning. After all, you are using them outdoors and probably in the roughest of treks. Your backpack is most likely to be covered in dust and whatnot after frequent usage.
What we need to understand is that a hiking backpack cannot be clean in a straightforward manner. You must follow a certain protocol to keep its quality intact.
So, here we are discussing how to properly clean a hiking backpack.
Let’s see how the whole procedure works.
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Contents
Read the Labels
The first thing you need to do is carefully read the labels. Almost all backpacks come with a care label mentioning washing instructions. In many cases, washing instructions differ depending upon the material and quality of the bag.
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Figure Out the Cleaning Option
Once you are done reading the label, get on to the next part. Go for machine wash or hand-wash as per the instructions written on the care label. Let’s discuss how both options work for cleaning a hiking backpack.
Also, don’t forget to empty your backpack. There shouldn’t be a single thing to avoid any inconvenience or damage to the bag.
If you’re a backpacker, then you know the importance of keeping your gear clean and free of germs. But how do you clean a hiking backpack? Here are six easy steps:
Step 1: Remove the contents of your backpack
Step 2: Spot clean any visible dirt or stains
Step 3: Use a wet cloth to clean the entire backpack
Step 4: Let your backpack air dry
Step 5: Reassemble your backpack and enjoy your hike!
Machine Wash
The protocol for cleaning the backpack through machine washing will also be mentioned in the care label. It is very important to set the right temperature otherwise you may end up damaging the quality of the backpack. Ideally, the temperature shouldn’t be too hot or too cold. However, the care label will guide you best.
For best results, put the bag under the sunlight for drying purposes. Make sure you don’t put it in direct sunlight because that might cause the color of your backpack to fade away.
Also, make sure that the zips are open so that the bag is thoroughly dried.
Hand-Wash
You will be needing a light soap and a soft brush to hand-wash your backpack. Fill a tub or the sink with perfectly warm water and add soap to it. Put the bag inside and use a soft brush wherever required. Don’t go overboard with using the brush because it can ruin the texture of your backpack. Once done, let the bag dry naturally.
So here is all that you need to do to clean your backpack. We hope it was a helpful read and we will make sure to come up with more informational topics for you all.
Conclusion: How to Clean a Hiking Backpack?
Cleaning a hiking backpack is important to avoid any potential back pain or other injuries. Follow these tips to clean your backpack:
1. Wet the fabric of the backpack, and use a brush to scrub off all dirt and grime.
2. Use a cleaner specifically for outdoor gear, such as a spray bottle of water mixed with dish soap or rubbing alcohol.
3. Rinse the backpack thoroughly and hang it up in direct sunlight to dry.
