You might be wondering how to extend the life of your camping equipment. Really, it’s very easy to maintain what you have. This can save money and trouble down the line. Who really wants to get to the campsite and see that their tent has a tear in it from misuse or not putting it away properly? Or their knives rusted closed? Let’s walk through the steps of proper use of equipment.
Let’s start with pocket knives. After use, you must wash them thoroughly to remove any debris on the surface, and then dry well. This way, you save trouble down the line, and you can clean a whole bunch of fish, or cut a tree limb or do anything without fear of your equipment being faulty.
For your tent to work properly, you always need to make sure you are careful when putting it up or taking it down, you don’t want to lose a tent pole, or tear the material. If your tent does have a tear, it can always be sewn shut, but the loss of a tent pole can be a hassle. Some sporting goods stores do carry replacement parts. If they do not, this means having to buy a whole new tent. So, the lesson here is to take everything apart carefully! Also, don’t put a tent away wet either. This will create a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
If you use flashlights, make sure after use you turn them off and keep them dry. Also, after your camping trip, take the batteries out of the flashlight to prevent the battery from leaking and causing corrosion. Any backpacks you might use need to be kept out of rainy conditions as well. If they do get wet, remove all articles inside and allow to dry.
Sleeping bags must also be kept safe and clean. After your trip, if your washing machine will hold them, wash them well in warm, soapy water. If you had come across some poison ivy on your trip, your bedding might be holding the poison ivy residue. This will make for your next trip to be itchy and uncomfortable. After washing and drying, put your sleeping bags into a safe spot. I typically put mine into storage bags.
If you carry a water container with you, always empty out the water, and clean well. This way, you can prevent it from getting moldy and the water inside becoming unfit to drink. Either dry with a towel inside or allow to air dry before putting a lid on your water container.
Basic cleaning and storage can drastically improve the life of your camping equipment. Remember to keep everything clean and dry, and that is a huge step in the right direction. Also, fix any minor problems with your equipment when they happen. Sometimes, you can save a lot of money this way.
