I have a very old backpack (10-15 years old) that is perfect for one day or weekend hikes. The problem is that the inside material has started to peel off and it leaves small bits of yellowish plastic on anything that I put in there. This is specially annoying with clothes, fleeces in particular, because it is very hard to clean-off. I tried washing and brushing but with limited success. Is there anything I can do to save this bag? It looks like the waterproof coating is flaking off. Try washing with a cloth and warm soap and water. I've had reasonable success with this method in the past. Just a suggestion, you could try putting a small amount of something abrasive (such as rock salt or perhaps gravel) into the bag, closing the bag securely with a zip tie on the zipper pulls & placing it in a clothes drier on the Fluff setting (no heat) for some period of time. Or if putting it in the drier makes you nervous, you could try agitating it by hand instead with an abrasive inside (the last thing you want are bits of gravel zooming around inside your drier.)

I've of course never tried this, it is just what comes to mind...backpack everquest I tried using Goo Gone on a small portion of a pack like this. 43l backpackIt did not work very well.backpack gumtree melbourne I then tried a rubber cement eraser (It is basically a hard piece of rubber that gathers up loose pieces of the cement for graphic arts work.) best ultralite cotThat did not work.mountain dax backpack Renisis was on the right track. gv backpack vacuum bags

I tried a fine grained paint sanding block (Home Depot). backpack 65l ukThat took off some of the stuff. I was also able to get into the corners of the pack with the sharp corners of the rubbery block. But, it was still difficult to get the old waterproofing off without damaging the nylon fabric. The waterproofing is in the fabric. A heavier grained sanding block would have probably worked better. But, you have to be patient, work on a hard flat surface and be careful not to press too hard. I am using a wire brush, and putting a wood block inside the bag in order to provide a flat surface to brush against. It's not amazing, but it's working fairly well. Seems better than the other answers here.Browse other questions tagged gear equipment-care backpack or ask your own question.Make Your Gear Last Forever We should all hope to have camping equipment that requires regular TLC. It means we’re hiking a lot, because even the very best gear gets worn–even broken–with hard use.

To make your stuff go the extra mile, tear out our illustrated guide to the 55 most common repairs and maintenance musts. You’ll get expert advice for preventive care, proper storage, and lots of inexpensive fixes. We guarantee you’ll save money and upgrade well-loved gear–and you’ll never have to abort a trip due to a balky stove or leaky tent. Accumulated dirt and grime causes zippers to snag. In the field, brush them off before pulling the slider. At home, clean the teeth with water and a toothbrush, or a vacuum cleaner. Don’t apply any lubricant to zippers–it will only attract more grit. Occasionally the looped wires form the zipper tracks will bend or separate under duress. Bob Upton, owner of Rainy Pass Repair, says you can simply straighten the damaged coils with a knife or needle. "Have you ever pulled a tent out of the stuff sack and it smells like vomit?" asks MSR product manager Terry Breaux. "That’s the smell of moisture breaking down the waterproof coating."

Even a few drops of condensation can cause mildew to grow, so never store a wet tent. After a rainy or humid night, drape the fly over a tree and turn the tent on its side to let the sun dry the bottom. At home, hang the tent on a clothesline or shower rod. Once it’s dry, store it loosely in a cotton pillowcase or mesh storage sack. Eliminate mildew (Online Bonus) Kill black-spotted mildew with this cleaning regimen, which will remove the mold, though not the stain. Mix one cup of Lysol household cleaner into one gallon of hot water (1:16 solution). Pitch the tent and clean it inside and out. Do not rinse–let it dry. Cleanse the fabric by mixing one-cup table salt and one-cup lemon juice (concentrate is okay) into one gallon of hot water. Scrub the tent inside and out with this solution, then rinse the entire tent with a garden hose. Scrub off sticky stuff with a sponge soaked in mineral oil, then rinse the spot thoroughly with hot water to remove the residue.

Restoring the floor (Online Bonus) Just as seam tape will eventually crack and peel, so will the waterproof coating on your tent floor. You can restore the floor and get a few more seasons’ use out of it by using a pot scrubber to rub off as many loose flakes as possible. Then sponge off the floor so it is completely clean and allow it to dry. Using a foam brush apply McNett Tent Sure or some other DWR product that is designed specifically for restoring tent floor waterproof coatings (available at most outdoor stores). Maintain a waterproof barrier Invest in a footprint designed for your tent, or build your own using Tyvek or painter’s plastic. Even a thin barrier will extend the life of the tent floor and prevent ground soaking during heavy rain, says NOLS gear manager Kevin McGowan, who has been in charge of issuing and repairing NOLS trip equipment for more than two decades. In addition, keep DEET-based bug dope away from the tent fabric. Exposure to that solvent will eat away at the nylon’s waterproof coating.