How to Wash and Maintain Your Backpacking Gear!

*This video is sponsored by LMNT! Try LMNT (I know you'll love it) by clicking here: drinklmnt.com/mirandagoesoutside
It's raining and cold outside and that means NOW is the time to make sure your waterproof and insulating backpacking gear is ready to withstand harsh winter conditions! In this video I'll show you super simple steps you can follow to repair the DWR on your rain jacket, and to re-loft your insulating jackets and sleeping bags so they keep you warm. I'll also throw in a few bonus tips on what to check for on your other backpacking gear to ensure it's ready for a cold weather backpacking trip! Happy hiking my friends - take care of your gear and stay warm out there!
Intro: 00:00
Why I'm focusing on rain jackets, down jackets, and sleeping bags: 0:31
How to repair the DWR on your rain jacket: 0:50
How to wash and re-loft puffy jackets and sleeping bags: 3:14
Why I love LMNT electrolytes (sponsor): 3:18
How to wash and re-loft puffy jackets and sleeping bags (con't): 4:22
What to check to be sure the rest of your gear is in great condition: 8:20
Outro: 12:32
Gear in this video -
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L:
NEMO Riff 15 Sleeping Bag: amzn.to/49WothO
REI 650 Down Jacket: alnk.to/dAlsO7t
Enlightened Equipment Torrid APEX Jacket: alnk.to/cHLt6qv
Soto Windmaster Stove: alnk.to/6mOoAG7
NiteCore Headlamp: alnk.to/1C5Jj3K
Sawyer Squeeze Filter: alnk.to/6mObMWQ
Gossamer Gear "The Two" Tent: alnk.to/gKP6sOV
My current full backpacking kit -
Black Diamond Z-Poles: alnk.to/60YFPlN
REI Flash 55 Pack: alnk.to/3ya45Px
Six Moon Designs Pack Liner: alnk.to/58oSViR
Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20: alnk.to/5Q3UQzM
NEMO Tensor Sleeping Pad: alnk.to/3TZA3ta
BV450 Bear Can:
Big Agnes String Lights: alnk.to/hstVAiM
Hartford Gear Co. Small Bag:
ECOTOOLS Face Cloth: amzn.to/40a4JD8
Mini Toothbrush: alnk.to/hstVAr3
LightLoad Towel: amzn.to/3tHGBLT
NatureBuff Soap: www.naturebuffsoap.com/
Snow Peak Titanium Pot:
Soto Windmaster Stove: alnk.to/gzU8GeY
Enlightened Equipment Torrid APEX Jacket: alnk.to/cHLt6qv
SkyGOAT Hoodie: skygoatusa.com
Durston X-Mid 2 Tent: durstongear.com/products/x-mi...
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L:
REI Liner Gloves: alnk.to/1XVfgxw
BUFF Wool Neck Gaiter: alnk.to/devK2L6
CNOC 2L Bag: alnk.to/9bsju7p
Sawyer Squeeze Filter: alnk.to/6mObMWQ
CNOC 1L Bottle:
Happy Bottom Bidet: alnk.to/1N0uhKf
BoglerCo Trowel: alnk.to/e75wWYD
Freshette Pee Funnel: alnk.to/e75wWRk
Kula Cloth: alnk.to/cHLt6l7
NiteCore Headlamp: alnk.to/1C5Jj3K
Gossamer Gear Thin Pad: alnk.to/7X30Cr2
Garmin InReach Mini: alnk.to/esV2UwM
Want to check out our camera gear? Click here to see everything we use:
amzn.to/3QBptjN
The above links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to purchase something from these links I may earn a small commission. This money goes straight back into making content, and allows me to keep making videos for all of you!
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Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me on Patreon! 💚 If you'd like to become a Patron and support my channel, click here: / mirandagoesoutside
LMNT is the biggest supporter of my channel and I am thrilled to get to continue to partner with them to spread the love for my favorite electrolyte drink mix! To find out more about LMNT, click here: drinklmnt.com/
The Miranda Goes Outside crew:
Director and Producer: Rainer Golden
Sr. Editor and Videographer: Abby Hagan
Videographer and Editor: Chelsea Newton
Videographer and Editor: Kyle Roof
Editor: Katie Van Fleet
Editor: Doug Linstedt
Dog: Tucker
This video was filmed by Rainer Golden and edited by Abby Hagan with additional editing by Miranda Webster!
Follow me on IG @MirandaGoesOutside: / mirandagoesoutside
Find past Miranda in the Wild videos on REI Co-op's KZbin channel here: / @rei
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This is Why You Need to Take Care of Your Backpacking Gear!
#winter #backpacking #hiking #camping #backpackinggear #2023 #fall #autumn #outdoors #travel #adventure #mirandagoesoutside #mirandainthewild

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

A quick note on cleaners/detergents for your gear: while I used my usual gentle laundry soap to wash my gear, there's a company called NikWax makes a comprehensive line of cleaners and treatments for all sport fabrics! If the DWR on your jacket still isn't repaired, consider using a TX.Direct wash-in or spray. If you want to be extra kind to the insulation in your jacket and bag, use the down wash! And if you find the armpits of your fave baselayer still smell like onions after washing, Tech Wash will get out that stench. Find the whole NixWax line here: alnk.to/8PD0li9

[@adrianbell4597]

Spray your Baselayer armpits with White Vinegar 10 minutes before washing with your usual detergent. The Vinegar kills the funk producing Bacteria.

[@CrewCoachHeather]

The NikWax products are amazing, I swear by them for all of my technical gear!

[@alangauld6079]

It is worth pointing out that many biological washing powders will actually strip the DWR coating off the jacket so it can be worth running a water-only cleansing cycle before putting the jacket in if you have been using one of those for your regular daily wash cycles. I use Nikwax and Graingers for washing but always Nikwax for reproofing.

[@americanmitch2658]

Store the Sawyer squeeze, long term, with salt water. This keeps the membranes wet Prevents freezing (because of the salt) Inhibits microbial growth (because of the salt) Backwash before using.

[@amydelpiere9315]

I have a giant down coat I bought second-hand and use for winter farm chores. It gets very dirty. I usually wash it with a regular mild detergent but this year I am trying the NikWax products. It's been washed and waterproofed (even though that may not have been indicated, idk) It's still flopping around in the dryer, but soon I'll find out how it turned out.

[@eliontheinternet3298]

I think it's also a great time to check the dates on stuff in your first aid kit! Don't just replace what's missing, but also stuff that's expired.

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

Oh that’s a GREAT tip! I found some expired bandaids once - I didn’t realize how truly un-sticky they can become 😅

[@schulzbrianr]

Yep, taking them outside camping and then storing indoors between trips, with all those temperature and moisture/humidity changes adhesives especially take a beating.

[@annej5699]

Yep, any medications, topical treatments, bandages, mole, skin, tape, etc. All of these can degrade over time and need to be replaced periodically. Also examine the sterile wrappers on items, as these also can get beaten up and age.

[@canadafree2087]

Things like bandaids and tape often have no date on them, but if bandaids package come apart of their own, then they are too old. Check tape by pulling some off and checking how sticky it is.

[@EponasArchangel]

Yes, learned this one the hard way on a family camping trip growing up; the only first aid kit we had was the one my uncle found in the back of his truck and everything in it that could expire was expired so when my cousin got burned trying to grab their marshmallow of the hot metal roasting stick we had nothing to put on the burn.

[@paul_hikiing_outdoor]

you can throw 2~3 tennis ball into the dryer with the sleeping bag to help the down loosen up,

[@nawwk79]

Another gosh darn fantastic video from our friendly neighborhood backpacking buddy, Miranda.

[@iammckenna]

So I decided to try LMNT and I absolutely LOVE it!! 🙌❤️ Unfortunately (or I guess fortunately, for LMNT lol!) my whole family loves it too and they started stealing my packets! 😱😅 Compromise: we just bought the biggest box LMNT has so we can share and pick our favorite flavors. Win, win, win 🙌 Thank you for recommending it! We all feel so much better hydrated on a daily basis and I never hike or camp without it now.

[@kristenmcmullin2728]

"Do you have to wash your sleeping bag..... yes." I FEEL SO CALLED OUT 😂

[@andydreadsbmx]

I always thought you needed to apply some sort of water sealant to your rain jacket, not just wash and dry it. Thanks for the info!

[@kpj5]

Me too! I thought u need to add nikwax????

[@backpackingcapebreton]

You do. You also need special down detergent when washing down products (also not mentioned).

[@jeffreycarman2185]

Washing and drying your DWR-coated jackets and rain pants will help with the breathablity and will help lock in the DWR that remains (Nikwax tech wash). A new DWR coating can be applied using the Nikwax spray or by using the wash-in Nikwax TX direct. I have only ever used the spray.

[@Karen-dq8nw]

Even if you take care of it, check it all in the spring before you take it out on a trip again. When I was a kid, my parents stored all the camping gear in our garage. We went out on a 2 week canoe trip and discovered night one that mice had nested in our sleeping bags and chewed up our tent. Since we were miles from nowhere, we had to use it and it worked, but it was kind of gross. And the tent leaked.

[@Outdoorfriend]

Thanks for the video Miranda. Just today after handwashing my backpack I remembered to lubricate all the zippers with silicon oil using a small paintbrush. Now they are smooth going like on day one.

[@jimpflugrath6220]

When my jackets, quilts, and bags were new and dry I weighed them to the nearest gram or tenth of a gram. Then in the future after cleaning and drying them, I weigh them again. If they are heavier, then they need more drying. I've also observed that if left out in the house overnight, they will absorb some moisture as much as 30 g which is 30 mL of water, so Yes, I dry them again just before packing them for a trip. :)

[@MickeyOsthimer]

for those with washing machines that have agitoters - handwashing in the tub is easier than it sounds! one tip for this that has helped me a lot is to utilize your sleeping bag/quilt's stuff sack, i.e. puting it in the stuff sack first and then placing it under the faucet. gets the washing process started much faster. be extra extra careful when taking it out, massaging out pockets if air while washing, and especially while transfering to the dryer. it's totally worth the time to wash them.

[@canadafree2087]

Great tip! I also like a 5 gallon bucket for smaller items I want to hand wash as it takes less water than filling the tub for one or two items.

[@RainerGolden]

Miranda, my sleeping bag is ready for its bath now.

[@annej5699]

Good to know about the detergents available nowadays for washing down and other gear. Decades ago when I worked at a laundromat while in college, I was constantly reminding people not to use ordinary laundry soap on their down items, and also recommending to them not to dry clean the down either. And regular laundry detergents will strip the oil out of the down feathers, which will lose loft over time. What I was recommending to people back then was using drift or other diaper soaps because they would get it clean without stripping the oil out of the feathers.

[@jeffreycarman2185]

11:54 sleeping pads with any sort of insulation (besides a Mylar membrane) should always be stored flat, with the valve open so they can air out. This is especially true if you inflate the pad with your breath, any pad you inflate with your breath needs to be aired out, or it _will_ get mold or mildew growing inside.

[@jasonfitzpatrick414]

White vinegar will kill mold on your gear. Submerge the rain fly or bag in vinegar for a while, a couple of hours or so maybe overnight, then wash it. My tent and rain fly have flaky seam tape, so, I get to remove it and then apply more. Fun time for me. I need to heat up my rain jacket to get it to work again. I tried scotchgard but that didn't really do much, I still get soaked. It looks like she is hiking in Virginia on the AT.

[@Kjv1cor10.13]

I keep seeing backpacking gear on TEMU.. 👀🧐 I really really really realllllly would love to see a review of some of the gear. 😂😂🤷‍♀️ like you are the best one for the Job. 🙃

[@hannahcollins1816]

Just puttin' Rainer on BLAST with his ratchet sleeping bag 😂

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

It was, in Rainer's words, full of a "bioweapon level of farts" so YEAH

[@RainerGolden]

I deserved it. 😂 That sleeping bag is rated for comfort down to like 25 degrees and I was cold on a 45 degree night because it was so dirty and clumpy it was barely holding in any heat. One wash and it’s like new!

[@hannahcollins1816]

@@RainerGolden sir. Your sleeping bag's butler needs a raise

[@peggyconway2900]

😊

[@psykotedy4590]

Great video!!! I'm already eagerly awaiting next year's installment of Miranda Washes Rainer's Sleeping Bag! 🤣

[@ulibredulli]

Totally came here to say that

[@eunhyuekpark6159]

Thanks for the heads up on sleeping bag maintenance and washing detergents Miranda! I shall be clearing the farts and getting that extra floof back. I always thought running it through a low heated dry cycle was the norm but I'm glad its ok to use an actual wash. Also if you have equipment that has built in batteries i.e. power banks and certain headlamps etc that you aren't going to use over a month or so, keep them at 50-75% charge and then charge them full before a trip. This extends battery life significantly, but I dont think you and the crew will ever have to since you guys always have new adventures for us every week! Thanks so much for a great vid!

[@CrewCoachHeather]

And if you have stuff that uses replaceable batteries, take them out!

[@mckenziereed9501]

Perfect timing, just got back from a trip and was cleaning my stuff today!

[@ericpurdy2775]

SkyGOAT cameo at the sponsor segment!

[@n00tles]

When you pulled out his sleeping back and he said OKAY before the cut like he was ready to go in on how it wasn't that bad before getting proven that it Was That Bad, perfect editing.

[@alethearobinson8132]

Great video. I have a down REI sleeping bag from 1978 😳. Have washed it every year. Still works like a charm🥰. I throw in a pair (clean) of runners in the dryer with the bag. It helps to break up any clumps.

[@jasminestar42]

Super important. Thank you.

[@asmith7876]

I have an MSR Guardian filter, similar technology and they say once you use it you can never let it dry out! Come back from a trip and run bleach solution through it, close it up and it’s good for up to a year before you have to wet it again. I like it because unlike the Sawyer and others you can test whether the filter has been compromised. And wow what a gear room! So clean and organized! All my gear is hidden in random unlabeled totes in the loft of my barn.

[@jeffreycarman2185]

Lithium batteries don’t do well in the cold so you store rechargeable items (such as your headlamp) at room temperature as well. Sleeping bags should be stored in the oversized cotton or mesh bag that nice sleeping bags come with (to Lee the stuffing from getting too compacted). Sleeping bags should also not be stored in moist conditions, so if your garage is not finished or heated, sleeping bags should stored in another location that dry and under some level of temperature control.

[@maca.outdoors]

Great video!! it's so important to take care of your gear to keep it longer. Thank you!!

[@ThenaturalmedicAdventures]

good reminders buddy ty

[@karinarey6488]

Thanks, we just got back from camping so it’s perfect timing!

[@fuzyfuzfuz2]

😂😂😂 thanks for all the tips and tricks. This video was ABSOLUTELY necessary and we all appreciate you ❤❤❤❤

[@tt8581]

Great vid! Ditto what the peeps above said about dryer balls. They should help w loft but they also allegedly cut dryer time, thus saving money via saved energy bills. Also, if you have a washing machine w an agitator (I call mine the “clothes shredder”), I recommend washing stuff you care about in a mesh bag then unzipping the bag & throwing the whole thing into the dryer. You can get mesh laundry bags in oodles of sizes.

[@julieetscheid9682]

I was going to ask about using tennis balls for drying down items. I used some last time, and it seemed to help.

[@Ali_ReBORN]

Miranda, you are like the twin sibling i never had gosh darn ❤️ love your spirit! Don’t change, stay blessed! 😊

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

... Love your Positive Energy !! ..

[@Mwilke3789]

Great timing, I have a down vest I just bought used and it's the next thing that i need to throw in the washer! Love your content and positive attitude ❤

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

That's fantastic!! I love finding gear used. Thank you for watching 🥰

[@simoned5130]

I now inflate my sleeping pad before every trip to check - after a winter trip just recently in which I got to camp and found the valve had cracked and the mat would hold NO air. It was a cold and hard night sleep!

[@Seamus3051]

You have so much personality, tis surprising that there is any left for others 🙂🙂Thanks for another informative, as well as very entertaining video, please keep them coming ... Cheers.

[@angelahessman2456]

Putting a tennis ball in the dryer with your bag/quilt will also help with agitation to ensure loft.

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

Ooo yeah! I've heard this tip before but haven't tried it!

[@cassimosher]

I'd imagine dryer balls would provide the same benefit. Not that I would have either handy. 😂

[@ryantanakaphoto]

I was told to do this with my duvet. It seems to work 🤷🏻

[@R-Barchetta]

I have FriendSheep brand wool dryer balls and they are fantastic for all my down items.

[@thisbeem2714]

I always forget that with my down comforters! I have one that is sadly missing loft in the center of the blanket. Oops.

[@milobookout267]

Great advice! For anyone with an especially stubborn rain jacket (like my old OR jacket) that just won't keep out water, try using the DWR detergent and DWR spray before drying. And, if it's no longer worth being kind to the gortex any more, just use the water repellent down detergent. It lasts longer at the cost of breathability.

[@sandralutz-rodriguez2864]

That was awesome

[@inklefritz19]

Citrus salts is where it’s at 😍

[@JacobLeemovingfwd]

Replacing the shock cord is very easy! And the aftermarket stuff is great and cheap.

[@cmcer1995]

Good video Miranda on caring for your hiking/camp gear. Often, we neglect this because we are usually tired after being up in the mountains and just put it off, never a good idea especially with damp gear. Your technique for re-lofting is great but many will have to go to a laundromat to perform the cleaning and drying. Luckily, I store my gear in my heated basement, so my Sawyer filter is safe, was unaware of the freezing could damage the membrane. Great video kiddo.

[@dsa5394]

I always clean my gear, as needed, when we get back from a trip. Things can get moldy fast where I live if put away dirty. I also put everything in large bags that allow them room, so they aren't stored compressed, including the tent. I put wool balls in with my sleeping bags, I think it helps fluff up the down. I'm definitely going to try the dryer trick for the rain gear. I usually line dry it.

[@lisasgto592]

Great advice, especially about the sleeping bags. I’m a novice to camping and tried my first outing in a RV in November. We learned the hard way, to check everything ourselves and not rely on the rental company. But it did not discourage us. I hope to try tent camping in spring.

[@SuziPoozi]

Great video, thank you! : )

[@alexs.362]

Another tip for the filter, I do this with my life straw: mix a few teaspoons of salt into a cup of water and suck the water up into the straw until you taste it, then seal it up like normal. The water will keep the membrane fresh and the salt will prevent germ build up. Yes it's a filter and it will filter out the germs but less germs that have to pass through the filter means a longer lasting one!

[@MightyMidgey]

I love the Bridesmaids clip! Perfect placement!!!!!!!!

[@jbaranowski31]

My favorite part was the slightly threatening tone with that last "Wash it" as you hand the sleeping bag back to Rainer. 😂 Great video!!

[@spamandkimchi]

Big dryer flex 😆 “You doooooo?”

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

😆

[@schulzbrianr]

Consecutive Miranda Goes Outside!! videos without a burp: 1

[@lizzietrot2522]

Its raining here too, looks like I know what I'm gonna do today!

[@DingledadsTheDemon]

Great video

[@Guru_Swami]

So grateful for your channel on content! Wish I had discovered this years ago when I was working part time at REI. I always walk away learning something new from your content. I do have a question for you Miranda…do you have a fix for shockcords that have lost their elasticity and don’t exactly keep the tent poles together any more? Is there a way to replace them or does the entire set of poles or tent kit need to be replaced?

[@TennesseeSlim]

My biggest mistake when I started buying more expensive gear was a Mt hardware ratio down sleeping bag. I had no idea they used different down quality (fill power) and different fowl i.e duck/goose. Also the % of down vs feather. Goose down is more expensive but worth the investment.

[@heartattackhiker3527]

I always throw in three tennis balls when drying my quilt.

[@thisbeem2714]

Oh that is a good idea.

[@UKcomedyfan28]

Someone may have asked this already but can you do a video on how to re-waterproof a tent? Including the fly. You showed how to re-waterproof your raincoat but having some tips for doing tents would be great too.

[@jeffreycarman2185]

10:27 tent poles with the shock cord to connect the pole sections (if possible) these should be stored extended and not collapsed.

[@kristenlegos]

I'm freaking out about how smart it is that your washer and dryer is in your closet.

[@henrypierce8010]

Have you tried tennis balls in the dryer to help fluff?

[@denniswolfe3574]

Tumble drying your down articles with 3 tennis balls will help bring the loft back. Also, putting a weak bleach solution through your water filter will help sanitize it.

[@mastheadmike]

One recommendation I’ve only adopted within the last year or so, from an industry rep, was to do the washing part by hand for the waterproof materials. Reason was that regular detergents are too aggressive on gore-tex and similar membranes and the vast majority of people OVER DETERGENT their routine washes. Leaving enough residue in the machines to still be enough to be harmful to the membrane itself. This is the advice I provide to all my customers when wearing my green vest.

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

I hear that! But an extra rinse cycle works well, and that's what the folks at Gore-Tex recommended to me - so I share that knowledge forward! Detergent is the literal opposite of DWR though, so that extra rinse is pretty crucial 😬

[@mastheadmike]

Extra rinse is indeed great idea!

[@CrewCoachHeather]

What about the products to clean your washing machine?

[@thisbeem2714]

⁠@@CrewCoachHeatherI use vinegar almost always and maybe a little bleach (not mixed with the vinegar!) sometimes. I think if I was worried about anything leftover in my washer I would run the clean cycle with no product at all. Wouldn’t have thought about that before. Thanks!

[@edubs9828]

The Thumbnail: Miranda caught a snow shark!

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

Well now I can't unsee THAT

[@edubs9828]

@@MirandaGoesOutside it's okay. You released it back into the snow.

[@LWilli5]

Be sure to use a special down detergent. Regular detergent could strip the down of natural essential oils.

What can I do if I don't have a dryer, for either hardshells or puffers?

[@kildpopper]

Then you problem solve... Have any friends/family/neighbours that have one? If not skip that step, getting the oils and gunk from your skin out of the jacket material by washing helps quite a bit. If you can't do the dryer part then you can't do it 🤷‍♀️

[@JCrozier1]

Solid video. glad you made it. I have a windproof/waterproof jacket that isn't acting like that anymore. I've heard about a spray to put on to re-waterproof it. thoughts?

[@shannahmatecun9996]

❤️

[@capnb0b578]

My favorite parts of Sundays. Garand Thumb and Miranda Goes Outside.

[@mcfaddenhall2896]

I backwash my filter after every hike. There's been hikes where I spent just a few days filtering water from crystal clear streams but backwashed the nastiest grime out of my filter when I got home. Mine's the Sawyer mini though, so maybe it cloggs up faster?

[@kaylaizapotato]

Miranda have you done a favorite rain gear video?! I’m assuming yes and i just cant find it???

[@Sometimes_Always]

I 'broke' my BeFree water filter on my last trip out.. I forgot to take it inside and it froze.. I did the test where you blow air back into and it bubbled.. At least it's only $20 bucks from REI. But yea, that thing now lives inside my bedroom in my desk drawer where it's warm and dry!

[@juliuscheng5788]

Just as an aside - at 8:30... I don't know if this was filmed in a garage, but if the space gets really cold, I wonder if putting a weather strip under the door in back would help with the drafts. It seems that light clearly peeks under the door.

[@ksoko045]

Or even making a tube filled with rice/lentils to place in front of it - yes you have to move it by hand, but it's cheap and effective (if you're renting and not able to change anything about the door.

[@rebeccagilligan2640]

Any tips on cleaning tent rainfly to remove oily spots?

[@BrettVano]

Yes, question! If you haven't explained in another video, could you do a tutorial for washing merino base layers? I just bought a smartwool intraknit top, and an REI 185 bottom. The REI item says to use "wool wash," and honestly, I'm wondering if anyone skips the wool wash without bad things happening. I don't want to have to keep a special laundry soap around if I don't have to.

[@kalararanel]

Definitely use a Wool detergent for woolen items. The lanolin which makes Merino and woolen items bacteria resistant and soft is an oil that will be removed by normal detergents, leaving your baselayers rough and stinky!

[@BrettVano]

@@kalararanelThank you for that! What detergent do you use yourself?

[@mrselbowz]

Do rain jackets need to be washed/dried on their own? Its basically rhe same process for my normal laundry so itd be great to combine everything and save some energy/water

[@PacMan257]

I've heard that a couple of tennis balls in the dryer with the bag/quilt helps fluff them up. Thoughts?

[@R-Barchetta]

Wool dryer balls, for the win.

[@TheGLOSSette]

Can the rain coat be washed in a household washer that has an agitator? I have a traditional washing machine with one of the pole things in the middle (i guess its an agitator?).

[@rebeccasartcorner]

Any advice on how to deal with a water filter when hiking in freezing temperatures? Also, tried googling electrolytes (in my own language) to see if it’s similar to what I usually use and what I got was stuff about horses😅🤷‍♀️

[@annej5699]

A request, please: can you do a video about tents, backpacks, and other gear and what storage conditions can do to them? For instance, I have been stuck in southeast Texas for the past two and a half decades. During this time I have gone many years where I could not get out my gear and get out to go camping or hiking. As a result, my husband stashed it in the attics, where high heat and high humidity (think triple digit temperatures with 90+ % humidity for several months in the summer) runs rampant for at least 9 months out of every year. My favorite day pack from college, my backpack, and my tent all feel very sticky now where coatings on the fabrics have degraded. I had to throw out the two packs, but I still have my tent though it is stored inside now. I haven't quite got the heart to just throw it away, and I am hoping there might be some way to restore the fabric, in addition to renewing the seam seals. I also found my husband had vacuum sealed feather pillows and down jackets. I immediately pulled those out and fluffed them up again, and then explained to him why you do not treat down and feathers that way for storage. Basically, can you go over why gear should be kept in better conditions for long-term storage, even though it is intended to be used outside?

[@juniper1girl]

Thanks for the reminder. I really need to wash my sleeping bag! How do you take care of your mental health when you put everything in storage and know that you probably won't use it much until the next season? I always struggle with the long indoor time in the winter.

[@asmith7876]

Easy, simply go camping in winter as well.

[@amigatommy7]

How the thing is sewn matters for cold spots more than anything.

[@mins1560]

How do you know if your raincoat has DWR or not? Or does that apply to all raincoats? If it doesn't, how do you waterproof the coat. New to backpacking/camping and I'm still learning :) Thanks

[@edmolash3401]

I’m gonna go wash my quilt now, gum dang it.

[@joeholm4591]

So, just to clarify, to revitalize the water proofing, just needs to run in the dryer on low? No other additives?

[@rachaelhoffman-dachelet2763]

I did not test my sleeping pad before my fall BWCA trip, and guess what? Holes! Through sheer happenstance my daughter talked me into bringing an old closed cell foam pad that I had cut in half for us to use as sit pads (I’d cut it in half to make a sleep pad for my dog who otherwise would sleep on top of us on cold nights.) We were able to patch my sleeping pad well enough that it would stay inflated for around an hour, and with the closed cell foam underneath I was okay. But that was a hard earned lesson to check your gear. I’m honestly tempted to just bring two closed cell pads from now on, not as soft and comfortable as I’d like, but dependable.

[@a.ramosakadrumgrl6677]

Tap your filter and flush it again to get more sediments out of your filter!

[@amigatommy7]

Sad to say I recently saw recs. that say side loader only for my heavy down jacket.

[@christimartin8512]

When you wash the down sleeping bags, do you leave them zipped or unzip them?

[@Coast_to_Coast]

What about the tent rain fly? Ours is definitely not waterproof anymore. 😢

[@pyrholorange]

is it ok to put down (feathers) gear in a washing machine?

[@pixelpoppyproductions]

I notice you didn’t dry out your Sawyer Squeeze. To me, that makes sense- I only expect to store mine for 3-4 months, and completely drying it vs cleaning and storing seems more risky. Drying for storage is the manufacturer’s recommendation. Other influencers recommend replacing yearly instead, which to me seems extremely wasteful- the device is cheap, yes, but it is made of almost 100% plastic. Simultaneously, it’s designed to last for years. My only real concern is keeping the membrane viable. I don’t use mine anywhere near as much as a thru-hiker or KZbinr, but it seems like there must be some sort of middle ground. Also, I appreciate your use of the word “farts”. Not just because it’s juvenile, but because it’s a real thing that everyone does.💨

[@bmbpdk]

About the rainjacket step: You washed it, dry it and then dry it again?

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

That’s pretty much right! The second dry is not meant to further dry the jacket but rather it’s to use the heat of the dryer to redistribute the DWR and repair it. So the most accurate description is to wash it to remove any dirt, any oils from your skin and other debris, then run a rinse cycle to make sure there’s no residual detergent left on the jacket, then completely dry it with the first dry cycle. The second dry cycle for 20 minutes on low heat is what’s actually repairing the DWR. The DWR repair process using the heat of the dryer needs the jacket to be totally clean and completely dry for it to work. Does that make sense?

[@bmbpdk]

@@MirandaGoesOutside That makes total sense, thanks for the quick and in-depth answer! Greetings from Western Jutland in Denmark.

[@ankebosing1968]

What if you dont have a dryer?

[@schulzbrianr]

The general rule I use is "if you think it never needs to be washed, you probably need to wash it, and if you know how often to wash it, you probably wash it often enough". And no matter how much you take care of camping/outdoor equipment, I feel like either none of it lasts long enough to survive more than a couple cleanings (ie if you clean your sleeping bag/tent once a year, I feel like you camp often enough that you'll buy a new one every 4-5 years, etc), or its a tank and it'll never wear out (cooking pot/canteen cup, poop trowel, etc).

[@Learningthetruth7]

Out in Hobart near you. Just bought the REI 55 backpack and realized I can't carry my beloved lite chair on the bottom. Any suggestions? There are no straps on the bottom.

[@Art-at-the-Fortress]

You can buy additional straps for that bag at REI, Miranda talked about adding them to her pack in another episode 😊

[@wiktoria_dyszy]

Oh No I don’t have dryer, where I live most people use dryer where you hang clothes and etc… afraid my sleeping bag will stay dirty forever 🥴

[@harperkirkpatrick9731]

Off topic but what shirt are you wearing in this video?

[@Jasmine-TN]

My sleeping bag is still new buf got messed up after the 2nd wash. Now the down is stuck together in some parts. I got cold when I used it. I had to buy a new one. Do you have any recommendation for revitalizing it?

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

Oooo yes!! Throw it in the dryer with some dryer balls (or tennis balls) on LOW heat for like... a long time. I mean an hour plus. If that doesn't do it, use a down wash to wash the bag, then try the dryer again!

[@Jasmine-TN]

@@MirandaGoesOutside Thank you. I’ll try that. My sleeping bag wasn’t dry after 3 days. All those spots were still wet no matter how much I dried it. 😕

[@andersmcconachie2367]

Question for raincoats like that use laminates! Mine always have the interiors start flaking off in a year or less so i have concerns about washing them. What am I doing wrong? How can i extend the life of these, or should I instead invest in better rain shells?

[@julieetscheid9682]

Water filter question: I have a Katadyn filter system, and they are without fail always completely clogged every time I go to re-use. I even try to flush out after each use, but it doesn't matter. I end up having to run strong jets of water through them for several minutes before they go back to normal. Anything else I should be doing to help this process? Thanks!

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

Hmmm what type of Katadyn filter?

[@julieetscheid9682]

@@MirandaGoesOutside a Katadyn BeFree 1.0 liter.

[@mattguilfoyle8072]

You dried it without adding any Nikwax or anything? I’m so gosh darn confused lol.

[@MirandaGoesOutside]

Yeah!! Check my pinned comment for more info on reapplying DWR, but in the case of a lot of jackets the DWR just needs to be redistributed, not reapplied. It's at the very least a great place to start!