Washing Your Backpacking Pack

by Megan Zeeb

Hanging up your backpacking gear for the season? Although you don’t need (or want) to wash your pack too often, sometimes it needs a good scrubbing. Here are our tips on how to get a season (or two or three) worth of adventure cleaned from your pack before you store it away for winter.

What You’ll Need:

  • Vacuum
  • Sponge or Soft-Bristle Brush
  • Mild Soap - a Castile soap or wash made specifically for technical gear works well
  • Large sink or  bathtub

Steps:

1. Clear It Of Dirt
  • Gently vacuum seams, crevices, and the inside of the bag to remove any loose crumbs or dirt
2. Scrub Straps & Hip Belt
  • If able, remove your hip belt and straps to wash those separately with a sponge or brush, lukewarm water, and some soap. Rinse well with water.
3. Wash Pack
  • Fills a large sink or bath tub with ~6 inches of lukewarm water and a bit of soap. Submerge pack, swish it around, and scrub any specific spots with a sponge or brush. Drain the tub.
4. Rinse It 
  • Fill the tub once more with ~6 inches of cool water and dunk/rinse your pack until you have removed all soap residue.
5. Hang to Dry
  • Don’t put your pack in a dryer. Hang it to air dry upside down, in a room with good airflow or outside on a sunny day.
6. Store it
  • If you live somewhere with really cold winters, consider storing it inside. If your winters tend to be fairly temperate, a shed or garage should be fine. If storing in a garage or shed, consider putting your pack in a large trash bag and hanging it off the ground or on a shelf. 

Megan Zeeb

Megan Zeeb is a passionate outdoor enthusiast and Marketing Manager at Out&Back Outdoor, where she helps connect adventurers with quality gear and memorable experiences. Megan's love for the outdoors extends beyond her work, as she enjoys activities like trail running, biking, and skiing. She combines her professional expertise with her adventurous spirit to inspire others to embrace the great outdoors.

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