Getting the Stink out of Nylon

Tactical Gear Tactical Gear
1

What do you guys do for cleaning your gear?

Historically, I’ve thrown it in the washer, and allowed for air-drying, but invariably the pouches get permanent warping. Functionally, everything’s GTG, but cosmetically the washing machine makes vests, etc. look like ass. My rigger’s belts have taken a bit of a whippin’ as well.

With my new kit, I’m going to just embrace the stank, unless I can come up with a better solution. I’ve Febreeze’d items in the past, but I feel it’s masking stankedness instead of eliminating stankedness.

I suppose cowboys don’t wash their stuff, and perhaps this’un shouldn’t.

2

Mild soap, such as Woolite.
Hot water and a brush.
Rinse with pressurised hot water.
Air dry in the sun.

3

For real bad stinks, use a bit of Vanilla extract. If you have a bag that smells on the inside, take a rag, soak with the Vanilla and let sit in bag for a few days.

4

I have a clean trash can I use for washing stuff like this.

5

Go to a running store and get a bottle of Sports Wash or equivalent. These detergents are designed for performance nylons and work great on keeping athletic clothing/nylon from getting funky. Add it to Wool-lite and hand scrub your gear, rinse thoroughly and air dry outdoors in the sun.

6

Steep a tea bag in a quart of water and allow it to cool down dilute with another 3-quarts of cold frsh water. This will take the smell out of nylon and plastic items as well. Yes it can and most likely will stain…There is a Tanin in the tea that removes the odors.

7

Roger that, everyone.

Thanks for the info. This summer’s getting pretty foul, and I know the fresh stock of kit is going to be getting pretty disgusting rather quickly.

Salt stains aren’t as bad as the “wet dog mixed with stale chicken soup” stench that usually occurs by August. Hopefully I’ll preempt it this year.

The tea bags are interesting. I’ll start with the Woolite/Brush/Hose/Air-Dry and go from there.

8

The Sport Wash works and my wife, and Supreme Ruler of our household says that Target sells it now too.

9

If you have any dive shops in the area, you can also try some of the products (“Sink the Stink”) meant for soaking and deodorizing wetsuits.

10

somtimes scrubbing with the brush seems to make nylon wear out quicker also. Hadnt heard of the tea bag thing I might try that. Usually I go to the local old fashoned car wash the one you put quarters in and spray wash them in the bed of my pick up truck the pressure of the hose and nossle combo seems to get the deep stink out. Followed by air dry at 70 mph. Make sure you dummy cord everything during the drying process. lol

11

I havent tried this stuff but it might be what you are looking for.

http://www.mcnett.com/MiraZyme-Enzyme-Based-Odor-Eliminator-P170.aspx

12

Nylon is easy. Wash in mild soap rinse. Place item in sun to dry. That should cure the sour smell.

If that does not work. Soak in peroxide for a few seconds and the smell will foam away. Be sure to rinse immediately as the color may fade. This works great for smelly watch bands as well.

13

Strong direct sunlight will kill the bacteria. Hang it on a clothes line or back porch. A half and half mix of water and vinegar. Fabreeze works for a quick fix. You may also wanna get one of those dry cleaning kits you can use at home. Just throw your gear in the bag, with chemicals, then toss it in the dryer.