From: Johnlebl@aol.com
Date: Thu Aug 29 2002 - 10:57:13 CDT
In a message dated 08/29/2002 9:42:14 AM Central Daylight Time,
DOtillio@aol.com writes:
> What is the solution to this problem short of buying a new backpack? How
> can a backpack be cleaned and deodorized?
>
I agree completely with Signe and Cooper on this one. Most probably the
cause of the smell is the same cause that gives humans body odor. Moisture
and bacteria with a little dirt which contains organic matter for the stuff
to feed on.
Get rid of that combination and you get rid of the problem.
Simply wash it. A good rinsing might have prevented the problem, but now
that it definately has a problem, you probably will have to work a little
harder to rid the problem.
Wash it like has been suggested.
If afterward it still has an aroma, I'd try a soaking in a baking powder
solution, then a soaking in a weak vinegar solution. I would not use an
amonia or chlorine bleach solution as this will weaken the material and
stitching.
The suspension contains rubber and neoprene foam and this will almost be
melted in a bleach solution. Wet suits cucumb rapidly to the chlorine in
swimming pools and that is a very weak solution.
Try this on the nest use to prevent the problem. As they say, an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure.
When I returned from Philmont this summer, my suspension system was soaked
through and through with sweat. Not perspiration, but sweat. The difference
is perspiration is measured by damp hankies full and sweat is measured in
gallons.
I took my pack out in the yard, filled a #3 washtub with water and let it
soak. After an all day soaking in the sun which warmed the water, I changed
out the soaking water several times and let it soak overnight. The next day
I got it out of the tub on the driveway and blasted it with the water hose
and especially played the hose on the paddled suspension parts to work the
water through them. I then hung it out to dry.
I did the same thing to my Eureka Timberline tent I used.
If I remember correctly it took several days for the pack to dry because of
the thick foam padding.
I also live in a high humidity area (usually always in the 90% range), so I
then took it inside the air conditioned house and let it air out for a day
before I collapsed it onto itself and wrapped the straps neatly around it and
put it into the closet waiting for the next trip.
Living where the humidity is high all the time, I have found that even
getting material dry outside at high noon is not sufficient. If folded up
outside then, it will always mildew. I ALWAYS spread my packs, tents,
sleeping bags, etc inside overnight to let them dry out more in an air
conditioned room before packing them away.
John LeBlanc
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