Can I wash a camera bag? :D

phinix

phinix

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Weird question, but hey - can I wash Think Tank Retrospective bag?
Like throw it to washing machine, maybe some gentle program and wash it?
Maybe throw it in a fabric bag first, or like a pillow case, so belt and other flying bits won't make a disco while washing :D
Or better hand washing?
I'm planning on buying a used one and would like to wash it, but don't want to ruin it :)
 
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I washed a Lowepro bag a couple of months ago. It was in a bit of a state after being hammered last year carrying wildife paraphernalia to and from locations. I'd often even sit on it during stints. It was sound though in a physical sense, it was just muddy and generally beaten up looking. I stripped it out and put it in on a gentle wash in the washing machine, I had nothing to lose really so I gave it a go. I'd also been given the bag, so nothing to lose financially either.

It came out like new, I was very suprised. It was so nice that I bought a rucksack for the same purpose I'd been using the Lowepro for, to save the Lowepro.

Would I recommend doing it? Well, yes, as in my case, it worked but that's not a guarantee it will work for you with a different bag. If you feel you have nothing to lose by trying it, then it's probably worth a go.
 
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I've washed a few rucksacks and camera bags over the years, mostly from getting muddy, and in one case after falling in a river after a bridge collapsed (cameras survived) all came out fine.
Top tip though, if you do wash the bag... take out the camera first.... ;) Dont worry I'll get my own coat...
 
I've washed a few over the years and the better quality ones survived OK, but the cheaper ones didn't.

Be sure to THOROUGHLY dry it or you'll end up with condensation in your lenses.
 
The Retrospective line are billed as having a durable water-repellant ('DWR') coating on the fabric - so treat it as you might an item of outdoor clothing and use a mild soap rather than a detergent, with warm water, then rinse well. The other issue is that luckily (but unlike some), Think Tank say that the foam padding is closed-cell, and thus will be non-absorbent.

I'd hang it up in the sun afterwards with its lid open for a good while to allow all moisture to evaporate (got a conservatory?).
 
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Thanks guys.

Yeah, thing is I would be buying not a dirty one, but wanted to "refresh" it after previous owner, if you know what I mean...

Dry it out on a sun.. in Scotland... I'll try :D Its actually very sunnythis week, it may work!

I think I may do it in washing machine with some gentle program and just a washing liquid, not powder, so its going to gently wash it and not really bite into the fabrics.
Plus yes, those padding pads - I don't remember when I had previously Tetrospective 4 version, but I think I will be able to tkae those out, so would only wash just a bag, hopefully...

Reason is, I wanted to try Tetrospective 5, but new one is like £180, when used can be found below £100. I don't want to spend £180 on a bag.
 
phinix said:
Thanks guys.

Yeah, thing is I would be buying not a dirty one, but wanted to "refresh" it after previous owner, if you know what I mean...

Dry it out on a sun.. in Scotland... I'll try :D Its actually very sunnythis week, it may work!

I think I may do it in washing machine with some gentle program and just a washing liquid, not powder, so its going to gently wash it and not really bite into the fabrics.
Plus yes, those padding pads - I don't remember when I had previously Tetrospective 4 version, but I think I will be able to tkae those out, so would only wash just a bag, hopefully...

Reason is, I wanted to try Tetrospective 5, but new one is like £180, when used can be found below £100. I don't want to spend £180 on a bag.
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If you are going to wash it I'd suggest using a pure liquid soap rather than detergent - these are no so harsh on any coatings. The same principle as with waterproof coats
 
taxboy said:
If you are going to wash it I'd suggest using a pure liquid soap rather than detergent - these are no so harsh on any coatings. The same principle as with waterproof coats
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Yeah I would be using fabric softener liquid. It would gently wash it and just refresh.
 
phinix said:
Yeah I would be using fabric softener liquid. It would gently wash it and just refresh.
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IMO you should not let 'fabric conditioner' anywhere near such a material. I appreciate that a bag does not come with 'wash instructions' (other than wipe down with a damp cloth?) but fabric conditioner is designed for fabric with texture and where worn against the skin is intended to improve the "feel". AFAIK it coats the threads and FWIW we once inadvertently used it on some kitchen towels where it explicitly said no conditioner and the absorbency was completely lost,

IIRC Fairy washing powder(liquid? but not the dishes one ;) ) is intended to be "gentle" with no detergent chemicals.

PS I have never washed my camera bags but have on the odd occasion sponged them down when needed.
 
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Hi, I haven’t had time to read all the comments, apologies if it’s already been mentioned, but I would maybe consider re-waterproofing the backpack after washing.
 
Micro-four-thirds said:
Hi, I haven’t had time to read all the comments, apologies if it’s already been mentioned, but I would maybe consider re-waterproofing the backpack after washing.
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Surely that will depend on the outer material and whether it will take such re-proofing?
 
Box Brownie said:
Surely that will depend on the outer material and whether it will take such re-proofing?
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That’s a good point, I’ve never had any issue with backpacks I’ve re-waterproofed, some of the spray on waterproofers I’ve found to be highly effective, especially the Nikwax ones.
Again as @Box Brownie says it’s likely to be dependent on the material.
 
Box Brownie said:
IMO you should not let 'fabric conditioner' anywhere near such a material. I appreciate that a bag does not come with 'wash instructions' (other than wipe down with a damp cloth?) but fabric conditioner is designed for fabric with texture and where worn against the skin is intended to improve the "feel". AFAIK it coats the threads and FWIW we once inadvertently used it on some kitchen towels where it explicitly said no conditioner and the absorbency was completely lost,

IIRC Fairy washing powder(liquid? but not the dishes one ;) ) is intended to be "gentle" with no detergent chemicals.

PS I have never washed my camera bags but have on the odd occasion sponged them down when needed.
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Slightly OT but if you need to get the absorbancy back wash them again with white vinegar in the conditioner compartment
 
taxboy said:
Slightly OT but if you need to get the absorbancy back wash them again with white vinegar in the conditioner compartment
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Thanks for the pointer, I will let SWMBO know and her decision ;) they certainly have not improved with many washes since the 'incident' :(
 
Personally if you are still spending £100 or so on a bag - I think I'd follow the manufacturers guidance and give it a wipe down to tidy up the exterior then a thorough vacuum with the inserts removed for the interior. The potential risk is the fabric may react badly and go blotchy etc then you've really hit any future resale value
 
I'd vacuum it inside first to remove as much dust and grit you can.
 
Thanks guys for your input in this subject :)
The auction for a used one I was looking at unfortunately turned to be bidding auction, not buy now, so the price once it ends will be high and very close to price of new one.
I ended up ordering a new one as I got some discount from Harrison Cameras shop. I hope this Think Tank 5 will be fine and will serve me well for years...
 
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Citizen of Bath said:
I would drop a line to ThinkTank and ask them. Apparently, they have a good customer service.
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They do! i once bought a used ThinkTank retrospective bag that had one insert missing. I contacted them to ask if i could purchase some more inserts and they sent me a set for free.
 
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