Washing Packs

I occasionally brush it down (once I hosed it on a sunny day) but not much beyond that. I pulled the harness out before I took it overseas a few years ago, and I was really glad I did because an impressive amount of leaves and branches fell out. (The weight didn't add up to much, but it could've been a big biosecurity risk when travelling.) Before then it hadn't occurred to me just how much junk a pack could collect in some of those cavities between the harness and the rest of the pack. It was only 6 months old at that point.

I was just looking back at old threads and saw this one. I never ever thought that my pack might smell until a few weeks ago and I was staying at fruitbat's house in Gisborne. I took my pack inside and her cat began making passionate love to it. This continued all night and when I woke in the morning cat was snuggled up to pack with a contented smile. Havn't heard how the cat has got on since I left and took the pack with me.

I think this means that if your pack smells like an old tom cat it's time to wash it!

I brought a Macpac pack of Trade Me from a guy who hunted in the Ureweras it had alot of dirt, blood & twigs in it so I gave it a couple of good warm soaks and a scrub in the bath with washing powder,it washed up alright.

Ok this is an old thread but i can still add my 10 cents. Below are some tips on pack cleaning and yes there are specific cleaning products that you can buy and use, here is a link to find the right product for cleaning,http://www.hikoi.co.nz/shop/Equipment/CareProducts/product-421.htm or waterproofing http://www.hikoi.co.nz/shop/Equipment/CareProducts/product-431.htm Cleaning your pack After each trip be sure to clean out your pack thoroughly - get all your gear out, shake the dirt out , wipe and scrub and nasty stains with a mild detergent. If it's wet hang it to dry, out of direct sunlight. Loosen all the straps, in particular, the load lifter straps on the harness. 1) If your pack has a removable harness and hipbelt remove them from the pack body. 2) Clean your pack and components in a bathtub or large sink using a mild detergent and warm water. 3) Agitate the pack gently and then rinse thoroughly. 4) Hang dry outdoors or in a well ventilated area out of direct sunlight. hope this helps someone. H.M

I think the closest my pack has ever got to a wash was the last time I walked in the rain.

If my pack is especially wet and muddy then I open it up and hang it on the line but apart from that.... well, even with little TLC and much abuse my pack hasn't yet given me an excuse to look at all the new ones on the market. Only issue now is getting older and looking at the weight issue.

Sometimes I lend my packs out so I usually give them a wash before I do.