How to wash an old backpack.

[Dan00001]

Apologies if this has been discussed before but I've acquired another Karrimor Alpiniste from the 80's or 90's and it's in good working condition, it's just filthy and definitely not from a smoke free home . Has anyone washed an old rucksack before? Not sure whether to put it in the washing machine or hand wash and what to wash with, a washing machine capsule? Fairy liquid?

Thanks.

 

[FerlasDave]

I would put it inside an old pillowcase cable tied up or similar to avoid clips getting caught and then run it on a delicates cycle on cold in the washing machine with normal detergent or whatever you use.

It should be okay provided it’s not too hot as that could remove the PU coating although that can be repainted after if you wanted.

And obviously remove any internal frames etc first too.

 

[MrEd]

I have washed a few now using just soap powder type detergent on a cold wash. I wasn’t sure about all the extra ‘stuff’ in modern washing machine capsules on old or waterproof coatings etc, so just used plain soap flakes I pinched off my m-in-l.

Hang to dry on the line upside down outside will help make sure the smell has gone to, upside down just helps with shape and faster drying lol

 

[Watch-keeper]

My only concern with washing old coated nylon kit in a washing machine is will it wash off the coating on the inside of the item.
When I put my old macpac in the washing machine on wool wash and with some gentle soap the inner coating started to flake off.
Maybe you could just wash the outside with a softish brush and plain soap .

 

[Paul_B]

Occasionally threads line up and there's an answer to a question title by the title below it.

How to wash a rucksack?

Just add water...

That's how the threads lined up for me. And tbh I found that a long way in the rain tended to do all the rucksack cleaning I ever needed so there is some truth in that.

However in a more serious answer could you wash it in a bucket with nikwax tech wash? Or just pure soap flakes?

 

[Dan00001]

Thanks everyone. I think I might try washing by hand first and see how clean I can get it. I can always wash it in the machine again if I feel the need to.

 

[MikeLA]

Don’t. Bother it will just dirty on the next trip out

 

[Tengu]

I would soak in a bath of cold water overnight.

 

[Dan00001]

Don’t. Bother it will just dirty on the next trip out

This isn't simply dirt from one outing, it's pretty filthy.

 

[Dan00001]

Occasionally threads line up and there's an answer to a question title by the title below it.

How to wash a rucksack?

Just add water...

That's how the threads lined up for me. And tbh I found that a long way in the rain tended to do all the rucksack cleaning I ever needed so there is some truth in that.

However in a more serious answer could you wash it in a bucket with nikwax tech wash? Or just pure soap flakes?

I think this is beyond tech wash tbh but apart from being dirty, smelly and one broken side release buckle, it's not in bad condition. I will use this as my rough and ready backpack and keep my other one in good condition.

 

[Dan00001]

It's been soaking all evening and I've hand washed it 3 times with 3 buckets of very dirty coloured water down the drain. Going to let it soak overnight.

 

[Tengu]

Yup, thats it, be patient.

 

[MartinK9]

Off to the car wash with it.

 

[Nice65]

I just washed a Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack inside a pillowcase with some cord round it. I washed it at 30° Delicates to prep the orange for Graphite RIT Dye and read on the dye bottle that this is done in a big metal pot kept at just under boiling!! and stirred constantly for up to an hour. Hoping for a nice sunny day and get these two burners outside for this, its fraught with danger.



To give this a new lease of life. I’ve been using an Indiana Jones gas mask bag but running out of room for iPhone camera lenses, clamp, bottle, and usually a book or two that are getting dog eared from being slid in and out. Not to mention losing pens and pencils etc. Fingers crossed I get a nice take and get an even dark grey all over. That orange is very bright again, it was filthy.

 

[Dan00001]

I just washed a Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack inside a pillowcase with some cord round it. I washed it at 30° Delicates to prep the orange for Graphite RIT Dye and read on the dye bottle that this is done in a big metal pot kept at just under boiling!! and stirred constantly for up to an hour. Hoping for a nice sunny day and get these two burners outside for this, its fraught with danger.

View attachment 94383

To give this a new lease of life. I’ve been using an Indiana Jones gas mask bag but running out of room for iPhone camera lenses, clamp, bottle, and usually a book or two that are getting dog eared from being slid in and out. Not to mention losing pens and pencils etc. Fingers crossed I get a nice take and get an even dark grey all over. That orange is very bright again, it was filthy.

View attachment 94384

Keep us updated with after shots

 

[grainweevil]

View attachment 94383

I'm unreasonably irritated that this brand has the name it does, and yet neither of these are actually green.

fwiw, and I'm not advocating anything, own risk etc etc. I have washed several packs in the machine on a wool wash, 30°C, no spin, using a detergent for delicates/hand washing/Woolite type stuff. Usually found in a pink livery, I don't know why. I keep forgetting about the pillow case. Thus far, no disasters of any kind and come up lovely.

As regards any coatings, I've not personally seen any degradation at all. Indeed I wanted to try resealing a semi-gone Dutch army poncho, and found I had to give it several quite lively washes to persuade the rest of the flaking remains to let go.

 

[Dan00001]

Well it's been hand washed numerous times and now out on the line to dry. It doesn't look too bad.

 

[MrEd]

Looks good and bright, nice job

 

[Tengu]

Yup, good job

 

[Pattree]

Must be very satisfying.