Most Backpackers DESTROY Their Gear By Not Cleaning It Right!

[@theblindhiker6960]

Only 4 minutes 31 seconds into the video and this is hands-down by far the most informative and need to know material I have seen in my three years ever watching backpacking videos and guides

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you are finding a lot of value! We do our best to make sure people know what they need to!

[@bearanoia673]

I use one of those mesh laundry bags (for delicates) & woolite to wash my wool pieces.

[@kamilliasaylor1000]

Thanks so much for this! People do not talk about caring for gear nearly enough, especially considering how dirty it can get and how expensive it can be. I'm gonna have to go wash my day pack now... I never have because I didn't think it was necessary, but now I know! And I just took my first backpacking trip so I'll go ahead and wash that too lol.

[@SimplyLesa]

Okay so I finally did it! I finally washed my LofTek quilt after - 3 years by hand on my off-grid home base. There is a back story. I had a used down (allergic) bag when I hiked on the AT. It never had much loft and I nearly froze. I know how to wash stuff but I sleep cold and this is my favorite blanket. I use it all the time. I filled a wash tub with cool water and a tiny amount of soap and did a tub method. Then hung and line dried for two days. I had to patch a couple seams but it lofted back to normal! Thanks for a great product! And confidence building video.

[@NothingToNoOneInParticular]

When air drying use a FAN! I have a wooden clothes rack but use a fan to keep that air moving and helping it dry quicker so you get no musty or funky slow dry smells!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great tip!

[@canadafree2087]

I hand wash all my wool items with a product that leaves lanolin in the garment. They say heat re-activates a DWR finish on garments but I'd be careful in case it ruins the seam tape, the older the jacket, the more careful with heat I'd be. I use a soft clothes brush on city clothes, do the same with your gear, get that dirt off as soon as you get back home.

[@ReasontoLiveAdventures]

The discussion regarding washing gear reminded me of something an engineer buddy told me. He always said to use just a little mild detergent to break up the surface tension of the dirt.

[@JamesGMunn]

Woolite for wool because regular detergents have ingredients that break down proteins of stains.

[@Wondering_Fireball]

Thanks for the tip!

[@elioraimmanuel]

To wash non- bulky items in a top loading washer, place the items in a mesh bag. Ecos is a great laundry detergent. Dreft is ok. Using Dead Down Wind, Sport-Wash or Econuts are the best for eliminating all scents. Adding Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost will clean excessively smell items of organic odors.

[@dianesmigelski5804]

Great advice! I have a zero heat (fluff) setting on my dryer and it works great for bring a puffy back to original! Thanks for all the info.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great tip!

[@Matthew-cp2eg]

use a laundry bag for delicates vs a front loader

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TheChefmike66]

Thanks for a lot of great information. Please keep it coming.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@EatsTreatsMREs]

Great information thank you. Good to know these things.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching! Glad you found some value!

[@omiddmt6565]

what about the non washable sleeping bags? I've got one and how should I take care of the debris?

[@Wondering_Fireball]

Thanks for sharing.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@butchbinion1560]

Great info keep them coming 👍👊

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@NoEndToTableaux]

Great content. I bought a vintage dyneema pack and thought about spraying it with a light layer of Nikwax. Is that a good or bad idea?

[@travislenfest8149]

Got great advice form... I think his name was Dave.....at Outdoor Vitals regarding washing and adding waterproofing to my loftek jacket and it came out perfectly. Was thinking there should be a video so I’m glad you did this and I will use it when cleaning gear later. Question though... when washing DWR treated down should I use the “Down Wash” or the “Down Tech Wash?” I thought it was Down Tech for treated down which would apply to most of your down such as the regulator jacket. Also, if I wear these jackets most days how often should they be washed. I understand not to use waterproofing every time. Thanks for the video and any added information. Great work!

[@NikwaxNorthAmerica]

Hi, Travis - To clean down, use Nikwax Down Wash Direct. This is the correct product regardless of if it has been treated. For washing frequency we recomend when you can see it is physically dirty, when you would like to revitalize the loft of the feathers, before storing for the warmer months (as mentioned in the video - allowing dirt and dust to settle in materials accelerates the deterioration) or if you can smell that it needs a clean!

[@travislenfest8149]

@@NikwaxNorthAmerica Thank you for the replay and information. Your Tech Wash and Tx. Direct worked great on my loftek jacket.

[@jbautista8432]

Can i use dish detergent?

[@someoneofgods2620]

Does your polyester smell compared to nylon?

[@gigihenderson7668]

Have you considered some of the sonic cleaners similar to the jewelry cleaning machines? I can’t decide if it’s a yes or no.

[@raysmith9324]

Curious bout that hoodie

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Coming soon! Watch for more details!

[@tamiboelter2833]

What's the name of that tech wash?

[@MasterPiggies]

Nikwax tech wash

[@ROE1300]

Good advice. Pity I cannot get them to answer their telephone or answer my e-mails concerning making a purchase. Grades: Products: A+; Advice: B+-A; Customer Service: D+

[@TH-sp5xw]

Never tried to call them but I have used the chat and email options several times and have always gotten good responsiveness.

[@chuckburleson4051]

@@TH-sp5xw Absolutely the worst costumer service in the industry.

[@jamespimentel1794]

You did not say anything about wool thats my go to i know thats not ultra light

[@jeremymiller1088]

He did talk about a wool neck gaiter. Basically wash mild detergent, no agitatior, hang dry.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

In this video we talked about a wool neck gaiter specifically, but the same principles apply to any wool product that is used often. Use very mild detergent, and less than the manufacturer suggest, and don't wash it with velcro or an agitator. Then make sure to just hang dry it.

[@jamespimentel1794]

I started to see some of my wool vests start to get roughed up in the washer and I did have some velcro in with the laundry from my dogs jackets thanks good advice I would not have thought of that 👍 will keep those items separated from now on.