WATER FILTER CLEANING:

Most people often overlook cleaning their filter after a trip and before storage. You can triple or quadruple the life of your filter if it is cleaned properly.

Most filters come with extensive cleaning/maintenance instructions, which you should follow closely. Here’s a list of procedures that will increase your filter’s performance greatly.

 

Backwashing a filter

When output starts to slow, detach the intake hose and attach it to the filter outlet. Pumping will send a “backwash” of clean water through the filter, loosening some of the accumulated gunk.

After backwashing or before storage, the filter element must usually be sanitized with a diluted bleach solution.

 

Scrubbing a ceramic element

This means removing and wiping off the ceramic cylinder. If the water flow has slowed, scrub the cylinder with a toothbrush to restore normal output.

Some ceramic elements contain silver to limit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and algae within the filter, which keeps you from having to sanitize it after cleaning. Note, however, that the silver isn’t intended as a water treatment by itself.

 

Cleaning the surface filter

This means removing the filter membrane and scraping or brushing it clean. Most people replace their membrane when it turns gray. After removing the membrane, you must sanitize it with a bleach solution or by boiling.

 

Start with the cleanest water you can

Try and not make your filter work harder than need be. Use pools rather than large currents, because they stir up sand and debris. Always hold the intake hose above ground so you won’t suck up any mud, muck, or leaves.

You can also dip up a container of water and set it aside to let the suspended solids settle out. A few hours will help, but leaving water to settle overnight is best.

If regular brushing does not help to fully restore flow rate, the filter cartridge may be clogged with organic matter. Here’s how to fix that:

Add one ounce (more is NOT better) of unscented household bleach (such as Clorox Regular or Clorox Ultra) to one liter of clean water.

Mix for 10 seconds. Pump the diluted bleach slowly through the filter cartridge, stopping just as the inlet tube begins to suck air.

Remove the tubing and seal the inlet and outlet ports of the filter cartridge (foil or plastic wrap works well). Let sit 16-24 hours. Flush the filter cartridge with 3 liters of clean water. The filter is now clean.

Courtesy of Cascade Designs

SLEEPING BAG CARE AND CLEANING

 

Down Fill:

Professional cleaning services:

1.         Send the bag to a cleaner experienced in cleaning down products who will guarantee their work.

2.         A quality service will launder your bag, rather than dry cleaning it.

3.         Solvents used in dry cleaning can strip the natural oils from the feathers that help the bag retain loft.

 

If cleaning at home:

1.         Close zippers and velcro tabs.

2.         Machine wash in front-loading machine or large tub with cold water and mild soap (Ivory Flakes, Woolite, Sport Wash, Etc.). DO NOT use detergents, bleach or fabric softener. DO NOT use an agitator-style, top-loading machine. The agitator could cause damage to shell and insulation not covered under warranty.

3.         Rinse thoroughly in clean water, making absolutely sure that all soap residue is removed from the feathers.

4.         When you are sure that all of the soap residue has been removed, drip dry or tumble dry at a no- heat setting. It may take several hours to completely dry the bag.

5.         Clean tennis balls may be used in the dryer to restore loft.

6.         Check your bag frequently while it is drying.

 

Synthetic Fill:

1.         DO NOT DRY CLEAN.

2.         Close zippers and velcro tabs.

3.         Machine wash in front-loading machine (DO NOT use an agitator-style, top-loading machine. The agitator could cause damage to shell and insulation not covered under warranty) with cold water and mild soap (Ivory Flakes, Woolite, Sport Wash, Etc.) Not detergents. Do NOT use bleach or fabric softener.

4.         Rinse thoroughly; double rinse if necessary to eliminate soap residue.

5.         Line dry only. DO NOT use a dryer to dry. (Heat in dryer may cause damage to bag not covered by warranty.) Unzip & dry open.

6.         Dryer can be used to fluff bag only, NO HEAT, fluff cycle only.

 

Storage

Between trips, it is best to store your bag in a large, cotton sack. Never use a plastic bag since it can trap moisture and encourage mold, mildew and bacterial growth. Try to never store your sleeping bag in a small stuff sack since, over time, this reduces the loft of the sleeping bag.

Courtesy of Kelty