Pack + Washing Machine

[bannerstone]

I don't so much care about the appearance but anti-microbial spray now and then before storage probably wouldn't be a bad idea. Come to think of it, I could probably give my trail runners a good spray as well.

David

[staehpj1]

Never. I have hosed one off without soap when it was extremely muddy.

Wait... there was one exception. At the local park a dog peed on a young couples day pack. They immediately pitched it in the trash, where I recovered it, took it home, and did put it in the washing machine.

[jeffmeh]

The other trick is to get some enzyme-based pet spray like Nature's Miracle, which will "eat" the odor-causing bacteria. Not necessary after the Oxiclean soak, but it won't put the pack out of commission for a few days either.

[turtle fast]

I do not see an issue with an Oxyclean soaking....I mean as long as it kills the odor producing bacteria and you do not have potentially damaging agitating action of a washing machine. As long as it does not degrade the packs integrity I do not see an issue with it....though the odor may be interesting to the forest dwelling creatures and you may get mistaken for a day hiker.

[Slo-go'en]

Is that the one with the Long Trail E-2-E patch on it?

Yeap. It's got almost 2K miles on it from section hikes.

[daddytwosticks]

In the tub with some warm soapy water. Rinse, then hang out in the sun.

[Don H]

I washed a used pack when I first got it. Otherwise I use Febreze.

Me too. Soak the padded parts with Frebreeze and leave out in the sun for a few days.

[bubonicplay]

After washing I would spray some waterproof spray around it, that way it will shed water when rained on.

[leaftye]

After washing I would spray some waterproof spray around it, that way it will shed water when rained on.

I've been more likely to user permithrin lately.

[RJ Lewis]

I think I washed a pack once....it was so filthy at the time, and my cat had sprayed it, so it had some real funk going on. Washed it in the tub with some Natures miracle and sports wash, and once soaked overnight and rinsed well, I hung it up to dry in a shady area and left it out for a couple of days. That certainly did the trick for that particular pack.