How to Clean My Osprey Backpack

backpacker image by Mike & Valerie Miller from Fotolia.com

Backpacking and hiking aren't exactly clean sports. Dirt, mud, mold...blood, sweat, tears--these can all cling to your Osprey backpack inside and out. Inspect and clean your backpack regularly after each hike or trip and you'll protect it for years to come. Osprey has provided the basic instructions for backpack cleaning.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Mild detergent
Bath tub or tub sink
Sponge

Step 1

Remove all the contents of your backpack after each trip. This will ensure that you don't leave anything that could spill in or dirty your backpack.

Step 2

Shake any dirt and debris from the outside and inside of the backpack.

Step 3

Spot clean any dirt or other stains using a sponge, warm water and mild detergent.

Step 4

Fill a tub or large sink with warm water. Pour a mild detergent into the sink as it fills. Use enough to create bubbles on the surface. Osprey suggests washing the backpack on an occasional basis. You can decide by the pack's condition when a full washing is in order.

Step 5

Remove the harness and hip belt if these are removable and submerge the backpack into the water.

Step 6

Gently shake the backpack under water and then rinse it off with warm or cold water.

Step 7

Line dry the backpack out of direct sunlight.

Tips & Warnings

Osprey recommends using Nikwax Tech Wash for cleaning its packs.

Resources

Osprey: Home Page

Article Written By Joe Fletcher

Joe Fletcher has been a writer since 2002, starting his career in politics and legislation. He has written travel and outdoor recreation articles for a variety of print and online publications, including "Rocky Mountain Magazine" and "Bomb Snow." He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Rutgers College.

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