How To Wash a Hiking Backpack

For anyone who hikes, it is well-known thing that a hiking backpack is the most important thing for hiking. It is, however,` the most vulnerable to external dirt and damage as well and not knowing how to wash a hiking backpack properly often leads to its quality declining.  

With the present varieties of hiking backpacks, one can’t help but get the most promising and reliable one. But a fact that everyone forgets is that leaving those backpacks unattended after you come back from a messy hike is only going to reduce their life and the extra penny that you spend to get a durable backpack goes to waste.  

But you don’t have to worry! With our thorough step-by-step guide, you will not have to worry about your favorite hiking partner getting dirty. With just a few minutes of your time and the right and careful approach, you will have your hiking backpack washed and as good as new!

Preparing For Washing Hiking Backpack:

As you’ve decided to thoroughly clean that backpack of yours, a good way to start is to prepare it for the wash rather than just throwing it in a tub or machine. There are a few key steps you can remember whenever you roll up your sleeves for that dreaded wash.

Emptying the backpack:

It might seem redundant to add but trust us, more people forget to thoroughly clean their backpacks than you might think. You should be cautious that nothing remains in the backpack before it’s washed. You can do this by opening each one of the pockets and shaking the backpack upside down. This will get anything that might be hidden inside out. If your backpack has a removable metal frame or any such accessory, DON’T forget to remove it before proceeding to the wash.

Checking for any damage or repairs needed:

Since washing a backpack can be a potential source of damage if not done carefully, you should always try to overrule it by examining the backpack carefully for any previous damage. Your choice of washing method should be dependent on the condition of the backpack.

Removing excess dirt and debris:

This step will make your life a thousand times easier as half of the work will be done. A very good way to remove the excess dirt is by using a small vacuum cleaner. First, open all the pockets and once you’ve emptied them, use a vacuum cleaner in all of them to get that dirt out. Then use a stain remover to pretreat some of those stains and you have a hiking backpack that is ready for a wash.

Identifying the type of material of the backpack:

Now that you have a backpack ready to wash, there is one very important step in getting to know the material of the backpack. Hiking backpacks come in a variety of materials some of which are safe for respective methods which we will mention below. Some common materials that hiking backpacks come in are.

1.  Nylon
2.  Poly ester  
3.  Canvas

Some of these, such as nylon polyester, etc., can be machine washed whereas others are not machine friendly and should be hand washed.

Methods of Washing the Hiking Backpack:

As we have already mentioned above, there are many approaches that you can take to clean your backpack depending on the material and the already existing condition. The two most common are,

Hand washing the Hiking Backpack:

To hand wash your backpack you can either pick a wet sponge soaked in a cleaning solution and scrub it all over the backpack if you are looking for a superficial cleaning. First, do the interior getting all the stains carefully, and then move forward to the exterior. For a deep cleaning process, you can soak the backpack in a tub filled with water and a cleaning solution. Keep it soaked for the next half an hour and then pass it through the water.

Machine washing the Hiking Backpack:

If you don’t want to get tired, you can choose to machine wash the backpack. For this, you will have to make sure all additional parts are removable, and the material supports machine washing. Then use a laundry mesh cloth to cover the backpack for protection and put it in the machine in a very gentle setting.

Hand washing vs. machine washing:

Although both methods are widely used by people everywhere, handwashing however is considered safer. Moreover, machine washing can lead to unnecessary damage even after caution. The material or add Ons can get stuck, and the thread can be torn. Therefore, despite being a quicker process, machine washing is not preferred over the former as it has the chance of damaging the bag more than keeping it durable.

Drying the Hiking Backpack:

Drying the backpack is the most important process as you don’t want the backpack to be a damp house of mold. A preferable guideline is to dry it after every hike to eliminate the sweat that might have accumulated over it.

To dry your backpack after a wash, you should open all zippers and put it in a well-ventilated space neither in direct sunlight nor in a cold damp corner. Make sure you give the backpack its time and that it gets thoroughly air-dried.

You can also use a dryer, albeit not recommended since it can damage the material and quality of the backpack, yet if you want to use it, wrap the backpack in another sheet and use the low setting.

Conclusion:

Hence, we have thoroughly explained how to wash a hiking backpack for you. We hope that next time you don’t forget any of the steps of preparing the backpack for a wash, clean it and then wash it using lukewarm water and a cleaning solution.  

Make sure to use the appropriate materials which are friendly to the bag, so that you have a clean and long-lasting bag that you can expertly maintain!

FAQs:

Can you wash a hiking bag in the washing machine?

Yes, you can wash a hiking bag in the washing machine, but it must be protected and covered to prevent damage.

How to wash a backpack in the washing machine?

To wash a backpack in the washing machine, adjust the cycle to a low setting and keep the backpack covered and protected.

How to wash a polyester backpack?

Polyester bags can be washed by hand or by machine at a warm temperature of about 40 Celsius along with gentle scrubbing.

How to wash a backpack by hand?

To wash a backpack by hand, pick a sponge and use it to scrub all over the backpack, or dip the backpack in the tub.

How do you clean backpack straps?

Backpack straps can be cleaned by soaking them in warm water for some time and then using a hard bristle brush to get rid of the remaining stains.

How to clean a backpack without washing it?

A backpack can be cleaned without washing if you gently shake it to get rid of loose dirt, and then either vacuum it or use a soft-bristled brush to sweep off the dirt from it.