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Maybe you are a hiker and you’re worrying and struggling about washing a hiking backpack. It’s a common issue for every adventure lover, and in one word, this is boring.

Those are common issues I know and am familiar with. So I have many expert options for cleaning anyway or any backpack.

Don’t worry! I will teach you how to wash a hiking backpack in this topic or article. And using the easy way.

Why Should Wash a Backpack? And When?

This is a great question. What’s the reason behind cleaning a backpack? We pack and carry many things in one bag.

When we go hiking outdoors, we sweat and fall on the ground while walking, and a lot of bags can get soiled and dirty. A backpack can get dirty for many reasons, so of course, we should wash it cleanly.

Another thing someone will say is to clean or wash the bag once every fifteen days. Many can say many things. In my opinion, whenever a backpack gets dirty, it needs to be cleaned.

How Do You Clean a Sweaty Hiking Backpack?

To clean a sweaty backpack in an easy way, You have to follow and know about some common rules. How to wash a backpack and we have to know, What’s needed for us to wash a hiking backpack using machines and hands.

So, everything to know. Let’s jump to the main practical works.

Essential Preparations Before Washing

Whenever you go deep cleaning a bag, you need some vital preparations before washing.

First of all, you should check the whole backpack before cleaning practically.

Those can be such as

• Check the Whole Backpack: In my opinion, you should check everything in the whole backpack properly. Like where there is dirt or everything else needs to be checked. So that is convenient during cleaning.
• Empty the Backpack: If you don’t empty the entire bag while washing, you might as well do it well. So you must empty and clean the entire backpack. I also follow it from time to time.
• Remove Loose Dirt: If you see loose dirt on your hiking backpack, try to remove or clean it by hand. Which is convenient, it will serve you a lot because you won’t pollute the water much whenever you soak it in water. So loose dirt should be cleaned before immersion in water.
• Check Stains: How to understand this problem? When you see some or some places dripping stains or dirt stains and any food or oily things can be stained. These problems will be because you are definitely hiking and nature lover so you definitely need to use a hiking route. Must check it out.

Overall, if we think about cleaning a backpack, you should definitely understand these first.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Method

Especially you have to choose the perfect washing method for cleaning effectively.

How do you choose the suitable method? First, we need to understand what methods should be used in cleaning hiking backpacks and what items are good to use. We must also know how to know these methods.

Let’s find out.

Spot Cleaning vs. Full Washing

Which cleaning method is better to wash a backpack practically and effectively?

Let’s compare spot cleaning to full washing.

What is the difference between spot cleaning and full washing?

• Spot cleaning: If your backpack is not very dirty, you can use this cleaning method. Lightly spray your hiking backpack with a backpack cleaner.
• Full washing: When your hiking backpack is dirty and rubbish, you have to do a full washing method.

So we could know the difference between. I hope that you have understood. Which are your crucial cleaning methods. It depends on your backpacking conditions.

Machine Wash or Hand Wash

What do you think about washing your backpack? Which should be cleaned by machine or by hand?

Let’s find out which one will be better to clean your hiking backpack. And which would be the perfect solution for you?

“Washing machine or Hand washing”

• Machine Wash: With a washing machine, anything can be cleaned easily, and everything can be done automatically.
• Hand Wash: If you want to clean the dirt and backpack by hand, then you have to spend some time cleaning it, which is difficult.

Both systems definitely have advantages and disadvantages as you have to choose a cleaning system according to your time. We will know the advantages and disadvantages step by step.

Types of Detergent or Soap to use, if you want to use any brand or any type of detergent and soap.

How to Hand Wash a Hiking Backpack (Step-by-Step)

First, you need to go to the bathroom and put a bucket of water in a bucket.

Then, you need to thoroughly soak or soak your backpack. It’s a good idea to keep the hiking bag in the water for a few minutes if you can.

Then take it out of the water and definitely use soap and a brush. No need to use any detergent here. And if you see that there is a lot of dirt in some places, then try to clean the dirty area by rubbing it lightly with a brush. And clean the important places manually.

So that there is no damage to the bag and here must be given a lot or some time. Since you are cleaning with your own hands without a washing machine.

And if you have the time, definitely wash the backpack by hand. Because this system tends to last longer if used. And the difficulty is that you only have to clean the dirt with time.

How to Clean a Hiking Backpack in the Washing machine?

Backpacks should be washed in a washing machine that has the ability to wash backpacks in washing machines. You should definitely consider it.

How to clean properly You just set up the machine wash cycle properly and use the right amount of detergent here. And the backpack should be properly placed so that it does not get damaged.

Now let’s know the pros and cons of washing machines. As the washing machine can be cleaned quickly it does not take much time. And sometimes clothes or backpacks have the advantage of drying them out.

On the other hand, you can clean the dirt in a specific place as per your wish if the machine does not clean it. And here the chances of damage to the backpack are many times higher.

System of Drying Hiking Backpack

How to dry a hiking backpack? In the sun or in a warm environment means in any shade that needs to be air-dried and what not.

You can dry it in the sun and air dry if you want. If drying a backpack in the sun and air, what methods should be avoided?

Avoid Direct Sunlight and Heat Sources: You can of course dry in the sun but must be kept in play so as not to let it dry in the middle of the day. And if the sun is hot, you should definitely not dry the hiking backpack in the sun. And should not be dried in any very hot environment like this. Which can cause damage such as: quality of fabric, loss of color, etc.

Air Drying Tips: If you want to air dry your bag, be sure to hang the backpack to dry in the direction where the wind blows the most outside. And if you want to dry in the room then use a ceiling fan. And don’t always keep the fan on until drying.

It was the best hiking backpack drying method. You may pick one according to your benefits.

Final Thoughts

I hope you have fully understood how to clean a hiking backpack? and why should etc. So you must try to use your own strategy because from your own personal experience, this is my experts tips for you.