My Smelly Bergen

[Green Dweller Beloved]

Hi,

The bergen I've been given stinks!
It's got a reasonably unpleasenet damp sort of musk aroma.
It there anything I can do about this, or do I just have to accept it reeks and be happy.
I don't want to obviously reduce it's 'waterproofness' in the process.

Very Kind

GDB

 

[PJMCBear]

Lavendar in the bottom?

 

[PJMCBear]

You might get some odd looks around the fire though.

 

[gregorach]

A good airing should work wonders. Failing that, there's always the delightful aroma of woodsmoke...

 

[Goose]

Lavendar in the bottom?

You sure you posted that on the correct forum, looks like a post from a "specialist" site !!

You could try swilling it with water and maybe a bit of shampoo, I usually clean stuff like that in the bath and it is the first thing to hand. I wouldn't rely on a bergen being waterproof anyway, but you could always use a waterproof spray it doesn't have to breathe like clothing.

 

[PJMCBear]

Oh noooo! Caught!

 

[Surrey Yeoman]

I had the exact same problem with a bergen that I salvaged from a skip a couple of weeks ago (the things some people throw away!).

I cured it by taking the internal frame out, turning the bergen inside out and giving it a damn good scrub out with a scrubbing brush and some Persil washing liquid in hot water.

While I was at it, I turned it right way out again and scrubbed the outside too!

Took about three days to dry out fully, hanging upside down on the washing line at first and then in my workshop.

Problem solved!

As for "waterproofness," bergens aren't fully waterproof even when they're new. I always lined mine with a big plastic bag in the old days and nowadays use a dry-bag.

 

[Green Dweller Beloved]

Cheers guys.

I've actually got a couple of josh stick burning in it as we speak, with the lid closed off. I will leave it shut for a couple of days, that might help.

If not, I think I'll try the persil scrub trick.

Thanks

 

[Zammo]

I had the same problem with some PLCE pouches I bought, my fiance thought they reaked so much I had to put them in the shed.

In the end I had to wash them twice before the smell went a little, it's still there though! Someone on here suggested leaving them out in the garden for a week or so (presumably on the washing line), but I haven't got round to trying that yet.

 

[Jedadiah]

If you do scrub it inside and out you could always use some Nikwax gearproof spray afterwards. This will give it a certain amount of water repelancy but it's always a good idea to use a liner or dry bag.

 

[Silverback]

I think a lot of the smell issues come from the way in which kit is used and stored. Non breathable fabrics will condensate on the internal surface if taken from a warm environment into a cold one or visa versa. I suspect a lot of us recieve 'pressure ' from other halves if kit is left hanging around for more than a nanosecond so it gets stowed fairly promptly, all fastened and buckled up until we use it next time, leaving any trapped residual moisture ample time to fester. I was thinking Silicagel may be a potential solution to this problem but I should imagine it will only prevent the problem from occuring in future as opposed to curing already 'scented' kit

 

[TheGreenMan]

I’ve got a 58 pattern poncho that smells like a beach ball used to taste (remembered from childhood holidays). Anyone got any ideas on how deodorize the poncho?

Best regards,
Paul.

 

[Jedadiah]

The way i cured my '58 poncho was to spread it out on the workshop floor, ensure you have plenty of ventilation,give it a liberal coating of lighter fluid, spread it evenly but quickly and then introduce a lit match.....................

Initially the smell got worse and the flames and intense heat tend to render it useless in the future but i must admit, i found it useless to begin with!

Always make sure an adult is present when using this method. Dispose of remenants responsibly!

 

[Beer Monster]

Fill the bath with warm water then add a fair size amount of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and then place your Bergen in the water. Leave for "a period of time" (maybe an hour?) and give it a good scrub (in the water) leave for another 30 mins and then hang to dry.

The above is a guess but should work. Baking Soda is a natural odor absorber so should get rid of most smells. Also works an reeking trainers/boots.

 

[British Red]

+1 on the baking powder or even a good shake of various deodourising footpowders (for trainers etc.) sold in footwear stores and chemists.

Its all down to moisture and mould and these powders are designed to remove such things

Red

 

[TheGreenMan]

The way i cured my '58 poncho was to spread it out on the workshop floor, ensure you have plenty of ventilation,give it a liberal coating of lighter fluid, spread it evenly but quickly and then introduce a lit match.....................

Initially the smell got worse and the flames and intense heat tend to render it useless in the future but i must admit, i found it useless to begin with!

Always make sure an adult is present when using this method. Dispose of remenants responsibly!

Thank you, Jed, It’ll be an interesting experiment to carry out in the living room of my flat

Best regards,
Paul.

 

[Jedadiah]

Thank you, Jed, It’ll be an interesting experiment to carry out in the living room of my flat

Best regards,
Paul.

Only if you like the company of Firefighters!

 

[TheGreenMan]

Yes, perhaps you're right. The balcony would be better ...but it's still best not to wear it at the time, right?

Cheers,
Paul.

 

[Jedadiah]

Again, dependant on the environment. If your a little chilly or you have some BUPA vouchers for reconstructive plastic surgery hanging about and you don't know what to do with them, then you could think about wearing it, but i would not recommend it!

The balcony might not be such a good idea as you will have Police people asking what you are doing and if you explain theat you are 'cleansing' your equipment because of the smell, you may get a visit from Social Services!

Care in the community!

 

[maddave]

Febreeze??