GOT MY ANSWER, THANKS!!! :)

Hey BPLers,

I have a 2012 GG Murmur that got pretty dirty this weekend. I have been scouring the internet for Gossamer Gear cleaning instructions of some sort or what others have used to no avail.
Does anyone know how I should clean the pack?
Also, there is also a sit pad. Should I clean it the same way?

Thank you,
D-Russ

Edited by Superfluous_Grizzly on 08/06/2012 09:28:21 MDT.

I have a much older Murmur that probably uses a different material. However, why don't you just rinse it off with plain water in a bathtub? If it were really necessary, you could use a drop of mild soap. Rinse it a second time, and then just let it air dry. I would not dare use anything abrasive, like cleanser.

The foam pad might absorb stuff, so I would just rinse it in plain water with no soap at all.

--B.G.--

Warm water, mild soap if necessary, rinse. All by hand, of course. The pack is plenty durable and youll have little if no effect on the DWR, which, can apparently handle near boiling water in the dying process, much tougher than a cold machine or warm hand wash. Other option, spot clean.

Like above wash it and in addition use some waterproofing spray for like $8 a can.

Well, I am loosly affiliated with them...more of an informal online thing. I dropped Grant a note to find out, from the horses mouth, so to speak. He could reply on this thread, so be alert.

For myself, I have cleaned the older G5 (spinnaker cloth) with Down Wash. After removing the foam, I simply dropped it in the washing machine on gentle cycle. It came out far cleaner than it went in. BTW, Down Wash works well on merino wool items. I have also used it on silnylon tarps prior to re-sealing them with no problems, though it does not remove actual stains (not quite true, but close enough.)

The Dyneema X cloth used by Gossamer Gear (GG) is good stuff. Being highly water resistant (water proof) it will likely not pick up stains. Most stains require a water media to facilitate the loose bonding that occurs in a stain...about the same as dying. With some detergent, it is possible to wash a pack and then actually dye it, since nylon usually picks up the water, hence the dye. But be aware that colors will NOT be true. Most dyes rely on a mixture and type of bond to give color. This may be lost with some dyes...black dye will dye blue, for instance. It will not pick up the brown component. Copper ions are generally bluish green. And, only some of the nylon material will absorb it...it is generally similar to a long thread with only the ends being dyed. Soo, a lighter dyed result is always expected. There is just not enough bonding sites for strong dyes. Factory pigments are usually mixed into the nylon. A dye or stain is more of a surface thing.

The foam in the shoulder pads/hip pads does not absorb large amounts of water, either. On gentle, I doubt that any signifacant residue would remain. But use caution with any detergents. I would use a softer soap, like Down Wash, to avoid issues with residues and possible alergic reactions while hiking. But, this may be just overkill. Neither the material, nor the foam shoulder pads absorb any significant amount. So, while not removable, I would guess that the shoulder harness would be OK. Again, you might not remove any stains, though, don't expect to.

I have washed my Ohm a fair bit by now. Scent free, dye free detergent that we use for everything. I just pull the pad and hoop frame out and stick it in our agitator free washing machine. Warm or cold wash seem to work equally well. Line dry. No problems years later.

Wash pad by hand, hose it off.

Side note: IMO if a pack can't take a trip inside a washer it is not durable enough for me to take it on a trip outside.

Edited by kthompson on 08/06/2012 07:19:40 MDT.

Thank you all for your replys. I think I have gathered enough information to successfully wash my pack. It's a sunny day so I think I will just line dry after a light soap wash.

Down Wash is liquid pure soap.
Pure soap is not the same as detergent and can be found in a supermarket usually in soap flakes or bars.
(most likely with "non detergent" printed on the label)
Safe for most outdoor gear including down stuff.
Franco