Below are some cleaning tips that I’ve gleaned from recent trips.I know that many don’t actually clean the gear but for those of you who don’t get out so often and want to(maybe)extend the life of some gear… Shoes:Get the big clumps of sand out from under the footbed but any extensive cleaning wears things out.Especially if you use water and a scrub brush. Wetsuits,booties,knee and elbow pads:Take them into the shower.You don’t have to wear them but put them under a full blast of water and keep it up until the sand stops running.Any scrubbing will tend to make the nylon want to come apart from the rubber. Pack:Once again the shower.Just hold it up under the spray. Ropes and webbingon’t bother unless they are really bad and then just try to get the big stuff off.Don’t try to get it all the way clean and don’t ever use a washing machine. Cooking pots and pans:Yes do clean them…use some soap. Tent:A damp paper towel gets a lot of sand out of a tent.Anything more is overkill unless you’ve been caught in a sand storm.A little sand in your face while sleeping adds to the experience. Porta-potty:By all means,DO clean it.Bleach is usually forbidden with plastic products.Iodine solution may be a good option.Check with the manufacturer before voiding your warranty with chemicals.
Yahoo Canyons Group
davewyo1
I should point out that laminated fabrics and hot water usually don’t agree.Water temps should be below 80 degrees. I should clearify that bleach and plastic are not normally FORBIDDEN.I should have said that potty manufacturers usually warn against using bleach anywhere near your privates.Sound advise… Cleaning with bleach and then letting it dry is probably okay(with me).
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “davewyo1” wrote:
Below are some cleaning tips that I’ve gleaned from recent trips.I > know that many don’t actually clean the gear but for those of you > who don’t get out so often and want to(maybe)extend the life of some > gear… > Shoes:Get the big clumps of sand out from under the footbed but any > extensive cleaning wears things out.Especially if you use water and > a scrub brush. > Wetsuits,booties,knee and elbow pads:Take them into the shower.You > don’t have to wear them but put them under a full blast of water and > keep it up until the sand stops running.Any scrubbing will tend to > make the nylon want to come apart from the rubber. > Pack:Once again the shower.Just hold it up under the spray. > Ropes and webbingon’t bother unless they are really bad and then > just try to get the big stuff off.Don’t try to get it all the way > clean and don’t ever use a washing machine. > Cooking pots and pans:Yes do clean them…use some soap. > Tent:A damp paper towel gets a lot of sand out of a tent.Anything > more is overkill unless you’ve been caught in a sand storm.A little > sand in your face while sleeping adds to the experience. > Porta-potty:By all means,DO clean it.Bleach is usually forbidden > with plastic products.Iodine solution may be a good option.Check > with the manufacturer before voiding your warranty with chemicals. >