The truth is that your camping gear can easily get dirty from sweat, dust, and body fluids after a long time outdoors. If not cleaned, this dirt can affect its performance or, worse, spoil the gear. That’s why it’s important to clean your gear at the end of every season before you store it for your next trip.
And even if you don’t know how to go about the cleaning, you can always read the gear tags or manual for specific instructions on what to do. But still with all these, cleaning and storing these gears is not so easy. That’s why this guide brings everything you’ll need to know to clean and store camping gear after a trip.
How To Clean Camping Gear?
Tent
To clean this camping gear after a fun and amazing trip, you must first check every pocket, corner, and compartment to remove every trail mix, crumb, or sweet wrap. If left behind, these leftovers can grow into molds or fungi and start breeding bugs.
So, take the tent outside, shake it very well let the dirt all come out. Then, use a soft sponge or cloth to hand wash the tent. Make sure you use cold water and a mild non-detergent soap to do this. You can also focus more on spots with stains from the camping trip.
Once you’re done washing, rinse properly and air dry the tent. It’s not advisable to hang your tent under direct sunlight, so pick a shaded area for it to dry. Once it’s completely dried, put your tent into a loose and breathable mesh or cotton bag. By doing this, you can say you have cleaned your tent.
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Sleeping Bags and Pads
Seriously, can you remember the last time you took time to clean your sleeping bag or pad? Or anytime you want to go camping, you just root it out from wherever it dries, and use it? But you know that’s not good, right? From the campfire smoke to sweat to sunscreen, your sleeping bag collects more than enough dirt.
So, to clean this camping gear, you have to first check the care label. If it’s made from a synthetic fabric, you can use a front-loading machine, but only with gentle and safe detergents like Nikwas Tech wash. These products help preserve insulation and water-repellent coatings.
Don’t ever use bleach, fabric softeners, or strong detergents to wash your sleeping bags or pads. Instead, you can soak them in a large basin and gently wash them by hand. When it comes to drying, you can air dry or use a dryer on low heat until it becomes completely dry. Then roll loosely and keep in a breathable mesh or cotton bag.
Backpacks
On your last camping trip, your backpack acted as a huge lifesaver, carrying your snacks, shelter, and other camping gear. It has also had to weather the rain, dust, wind, and dirt falling from every side. Don’t you think it deserves some cleaning too?
So to clean this camping gear, you’ll have to empty every pocket and compartment. You’ll need to remove the dirt, crumbs, biscuit wraps, and any forgotten or lost items found at the bottom. Then you can use a damp cloth or sponge to clean the straps, zippers, and back panel.
For the main fabric, you’ll need to handwash with mild soap and lukewarm water. Don’t use bleach, hard scrub, or a washing machine for this camping gear. Once you’re done, rinse and hang in a shaded environment away from the direct sunlight until it dries fully.
Cookware and Utensils
It’s possible that after cooking soup or drinking coffee during your camping trip, you ended up washing your pots and cups. But now you’re back home, it’s time to properly clean every pot, fork, and water bottle.
With warm water and biodegradable soap, wash every cookware, container, water bottle, coffee mug, kettle, and even water filter. Don’t forget to clean your camping stove properly, too. Pay extra attention to the lids and any corners where there’s hidden grease or food residue.
After washing, rinse, and let it air dry fully before thinking about storing it. You should also check for rusts, dents, or cracks in any of your cookware and utensils so you’ll know if you’re replacing or fixing them before your next camping trip.
Footwear
After spending a long time hiking on muddy trails, your boots and shoes have probably gone through a lot. And you possibly didn’t even clean it at all during your trip, so it’s even worse than it should be. But that’s okay.
Once you get home, get a strong hand brush and remove all the stubborn mud, dirt, and leaves attached to your boots. Don’t forget to also clean out the soles from ever-trapped debris. Then remove the insole and laces so you can wash and clean thoroughly.
Once you’re done, it’s best to air dry away from direct sunlight. This way, your boots won’t shrink or have any unnecessary cracks. If your footwear is leather or has waterproof coatings, then you can also use a good conditioner or waterproofing spray on it after cleaning.
How To Store Camping Gear?
Store In A Cool, Dry Place
You have to store camping gear in a cool and dry place. This way it won’t be damaged by heat, cold, or even dampness. If not, you’ll find out that the fabric of your tent or sleeping back has started to weaken and the zips are getting rusted even before your next trip.
So store camping gear in a closet, under the bed, or in a well-ventilated space in the basement or garage. And even if you don’t have much space, you can always put the gear into breathable storage bags or containers. This way your gear will last long and be good enough to be used on your next adventure.
Use Mesh Or Cotton Bags
When storing camping gear, don’t ever store it in plastic bags, no matter what. Over time, this will cause dampness, mold, and unpleasant odor that can even spoil your camping gear. So instead, store camping gear in mesh or cotton bags or sacks so air can flow freely, and everything will be dry and fresh.
Storing camping gear like sleeping bags, tents, and clothes in breathable bags will make sure they remain moisture-free and durable. Plus, with a mesh or cotton bag, you can easily see what’s inside the bag without having to rummage through everything.
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Loosely Store Camping Gear
When you want to store camping gear, never pack it tightly into compact bundles or small spaces. This can crush insulation, spoil the shapes, and even reduce the lifespan of the fabrics and materials. Instead, give them space to breathe and maintain their natural structure.
So next time you want to store your sleeping bags, jackets, and tents, you can decide to hang them or roll them loosely and put them in a loose storage sack. This way, they won’t change shape or spoil before your next camping trip.
Keep Gear Organized
Before you store camping gear after a trip, you’ll need to first organize it properly. If you’re using a plastic bin or containers with lids, then arrange the gear by categories inside each bin. This won’t just make your storage space look cleaner, but it will also keep the gear safe from dust, pests, and moisture.
With these plastic bins, you can sort and organize each gear by category. For example, the sleeping pads, bags, and tents can all stay in one bin, while all cooking essentials can stay together. This way, it will also be easier for you to pack for your next camping trip.
Conclusion
With this guide, you already know that cleaning, drying, and storing your gear properly will make it possible for you to use it during your next adventure. So, even if you don’t have the energy to deeply clean your gear, you can still dust, slightly clean, and air dry it before storing it.
And by the time you clean and store your camping gear after every trip, they’ll last longer, perform better, and be more useful. So before you start your next adventure, make sure your camping gear is cleaned, and don’t forget to clean and store it once you come back.
