Forum Index » General Lightweight Backpacking Discussion » Spilled food inside backpack - how to wash so bears don't ear it


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christopher reeves
(ionstram) - F
Spilled food inside backpack - how to wash so bears don't eat it on 07/05/2009 08:20:41 MDT Print View

As the title of the post said, there has been a food spill inside one of my backpacks, an REI UL 45. Frankly I don't like the pack, and I'd just use my Golite Jam2, but sometimes I have to take the girlfriend with me.

There is chocolate residue on the inside of the pack, quite a bit of it. Can I remove the internal frames and soak the pack in my bathtub? If so, should I just use regular laundry detergent? I live in Southern California and hike the eastern Sierras, San Gorgonio and San Jacinto mountains.

Thanks in advance!

Edited by ionstram on 07/05/2009 08:21:12 MDT.
Snap Judgement
(kthompson) - MLife

Locale: Eel River Valley
Wash pack on 07/05/2009 09:05:54 MDT Print View

Hey, I've been there. What a waste of chocolate. If you have a front loading machine, take the frame out and wash in warm. Spray and wash works great. Turn the pack inside out and stick it in there. Air dry. If you have a regular machine the turning inside out and zipping shut as much as you can will keep the straps under control and not wound around the agitator.