Summer is nearing. Get ready for all the fun activities that will come your way. All the best outdoor activities happen in the summer. Basking under the sun on a beach, hiking through nature, feeling the wind on your face while cycling–these are just some of the adventures you can expect to have in summer.
But being one with nature and keeping up your adventurous lifestyle means properly maintaining all your adventure gear. With all the outdoor activities you’ll get up to this summer, your adventure gear will inevitably be covered in dirt and sand. If you want to be prepared for your next adventure, make sure you know how to keep everything clean and ready to go.
Here is a list of the most common adventure gear for outdoor adventures and how to clean them:
1. Trail Shoes
For your trail shoes, the first and most important thing is to let the outer soles dry completely. Scrub the outer layer of the shoes to remove all the dirt and debris. Wash the shoes with soap and water, keep scrubbing even the insoles. You can use baking soda and water to get rid of any unpleasant odor. Let them dry by hanging.
2. Hiking Boots
Your hiking boots are the most important part of your gear. Now, how do you wash your boots? The first thing you should do is remove the laces and tags and scrub the dirt off the surface. Always remember that in order to effectively wash your hiking boots, never use bar soaps and detergents. You can use cleaners that are specifically made for hiking boots and shoes. After scrubbing and cleaning, rinse them in water, and let the shoes and insoles dry separately by hanging.
3. Sleeping Bags
A lot of people overlook washing their sleeping bags when making sure their adventure gear are kept clean. But it is actually the most important thing to clean because we spend so much time in our sleeping bags. Sweat, oil, and dirt build up in sleeping bags, growing a lot of bacteria inside. This may cause bad odor to develop, which can be hard to get rid of.
Before washing your sleeping bag, check the label for any specific instructions and dry cleaning procedures. If the sleeping bag just needs spot cleaning, you can create a homemade solution out of water and laundry detergent. Spread it generously on the spot you want to clean, and use an old toothbrush to scrub it.
In washing the whole sleeping bag, turn it inside out to make it easier to clean. Put it in a washing machine, wash on the gentle cycle setting, rinse it completely, and hang to let it air dry.
4. Climbing Rope
Most people never think to wash their climbing rope, but it is actually very important to keep it clean. Before cleaning look over the rope to check for any damage, cuts, or worn out places. You can then use your bathtub to clean your rope by filling it with lukewarm, soapy water and soaking the rope for about two hours. After soaking the rope, swish it around and then drain the water. Repeat this procedure until the water in your bathtub is clear. Let it air dry by hanging it outside on a clothesline.
5. Tents
The most common question when talking about washing adventure gear is if you can really wash your tent. The answer to that question is yes. You can use a vacuum to get rid of loose dirt on the surface and spot clean with a sponge for small dirt and spills. If the dirt and mud are too much to simply spot clean, put the tent in your bathtub and use a tent cleaner to wash. Like with your hiking boots, never use detergent for your tent. After washing, pitch it outside to dry effectively.
6. Moisture Wicking Clothing
Some people may find this tricky, but here is how you can wash moisture wicking clothing: Read the instructions on the tag to make sure that you will not do anything that may damage it. Wash the clothing separately from other clothes such as jeans, hoodies, or other apparel with zippers. Turn it inside out and put it in the washing machine. Wash it with one cup of vinegar and one tablespoon of baking soda for a more effective wash. Hang to dry.
Washing all of your adventure gear may be a lot to take on, especially if all you want is to have a fun day outside. Kelly’s Dry Cleaners, a green earth cleaner in Durango, offers nearly all kinds of laundry services. You can count on us to keep your gear clean and ready for any summer adventure!
