Give Your Buddies a Bath!

Your critters are part of your ecosystem. They like to get dirty. Even so, taking a little time to care for them saves money and keeps them excited to get out with you. Here are some simple tips to keep your critters happy.

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1. Clean After Every Adventure

• Rinse off dirt, sand, grime: Grit and minerals break down fabric and hardware over time. A quick freshwater rinse goes a long way.

  • For drag bags, use a damp sponge to rub off any grit that may have accumulated to the magnets. 
    
  • For rope bags, plunge them in a 5-gallon bucket, bathtub, or similar reservoir  to shake loose grit that has worked its way into the rope fibers.
    

• If needed, use gentle soap: Use a mild, gear-safe cleaner such as diluted dish soap. Avoid harsh detergents that strip protective coatings. A gentle scrubbie goes a long way, as well. 
  

• Dry thoroughly: Never store wet gear. Hang items in the shade with plenty of airflow to discourage molding. In addition to the self-care value, drying gear thoroughly helps to eliminate the spread of invasive species such as zebra or quagga mussels that may be hitching on your gear. 

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2. Store Smart

•  Store in a dry and shady location: Prolonged UV exposure deteriorates gear. Let your gear get sun-kissed when you're on an adventure, not when it's locked in storage baking in front of that south-facing garage window.
  

• If possible, minimize compression and folding: 

  • Drag Bags: Hang on a wall, rafter, holiday tree, or on your ceiling fan. Lay them out flat if you can't hang them.

  • Rope Bags: Make sure the rope is dry and hang on the wall, rafter, or another convenient spot such as a Whomping Willow. A storage bin is acceptable as long as you pinky swear the rope is dry.
    
    

• Keep critters out: Rodents love chewing through straps, foam, and that tasty TPE mesh. Use sealed bins or hang gear if rodents are a risk.

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3. Inspect, Repair, Don’t Replace (When You Can)

• Inspect rope components before and after a trip. Replace rope if necessary and repurpose it to make a rug, necklace, dog leash, or clothesline.
  
  

• Learn a few simple sewing and patching techniques—your future self will thank you when a quick fix saves a trip. 
  

• Save money, save resources.

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5. Respect the Investment

High-quality outdoor gear isn’t cheap—but it’s designed to last if you take care of it. Treat it as part of your adventure team: clean it, store it well, repair it when needed, and it’ll be ready for the next journey.