So you are just from your camping trip and you had the best time with your friends, family and maybe your furry best friend. Most times because of the excitement of finally seeing your couch or cozy bed, you tend to leave your camping gear unattended to. Other times you may shove your gear in your garage and promise to sort them out once you are well rested but you end up forgetting. It’s important to note for your gear to last as long as you would want it to, there are some mandatory steps you need to take to make that happen. With that being said, let’s look at these key things you need to do once you get back from your camping trip.
Thoroughly clean your camping gear
This is definitely one of the first things that needs to be on your list once you get back. This of course includes your camping outfits and I bet your laundry basket is overflowing with them but let’s focus on your gear first. Firstly, let us begin with your tent. You may have pitched your tent somewhere muddy/dirty or it may have rained while you were camping. Before you get your cloth to clean your tent, check whether there are any belongings inside and sweep out any dried up dirt from the tent. After that you can then use your damp cloth and wipe off any stains with a free rinsing soap or a non detergent cleaning agent to clean your tent both inside and out. This also applies for any waterproof and breathable gear that you may have. Use detergents that are specifically for such gear and garments such as Nikwax Tech Wash. Do not use bleach or fabric softener.
For your sleeping bag, remember to read the manufacturers guide on how to wash your bag. Generally when it comes to cleaning your sleeping bag, turn the bag inside out and you can go ahead and soak it overnight in lukewarm water. Hand Wash the bag using a non detergent soap then rinse it with fresh water thoroughly to get rid of the soap. Squeeze out as much water as possible then lastly, lay the bag flat outside under direct sunlight so that it can dry up. Alternatively, if you donβt wish to wash your bag yourself, you can take it to a professional outdoor equipment repairer to help you out. Last but not least, for your footwear there are a number of cleaning products that are reliable such as Revivex Boot and Shoe cleaner. Other camping gear you should be keen on cleaning include, cooking gear, fridge etc.
Drying your camping gear
After cleaning, drying your gear is the next important step. Drying your items thoroughly prevents them from getting mould and from having a dump smell. For your small tent, you can easily hang it out on your clothesline and make sure it is completely dry before storing it away. If your tent is large, you can lay it out flat outside. Sleeping bags can sometimes soak in your sweat during the night, so if you donβt necessarily intend on washing your sleeping bag immediately, you can as well hang it outside to let it get some fresh air. Your shoes too need to get some fresh air especially if youβve been hiking or the weather was too humid/hot which can cause you to sweat on your feet. This part of taking care of your gear will definitely help last longer.
Store your gear properly
When you’re not out camping, your gear tends to be locked away for sometime even months. Therefore, how it’s stored really matters. Once your gear is completely clean and dry you can now store them in your room or wherever else you prefer to store them. Itβs advised not to store your sleeping bag when it’s compressed and in its stuff sack so as to allow air to flow.
Most sleeping bags come with a cotton or mesh storage bag that you can use to store your bag unrolled and flat. Normally storing your sleeping bag and mat flat takes up a lot of space so you can try storing them under your bed and don’t let your pets near them. Once in a while make sure to put down the dust they may get to avoid it from accumulating. For tents, you can store them up in the bags they came with and away from sunlight. The main thing is to make sure it’s completely dry. All your equipment should be stored in a cool dry place with enough air circulation.
In conclusion, in case you are missing something or you need to get something fixed, make sure you do it as soon as possible to avoid rushing at the last minute. Visit any of these local camping gear stores to get all you need.