My just one pack has packed a lot of animals. And it smells that way. What is the best way to wash a pack? big commercial washer? Take to a dry cleaner, let it air dry and deal with it?
thanks
Tim
thanks
Tim
What is the best way to get dead animal smell out of your pack?
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25contender
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- Mar 20, 2013
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Tim,
I dont think you would want to wash it in a washer or pressure wash it. That would separate the fibers in the material. I packed out two elk this year with my pack and had some blood get in the bottom of the pack and it did smell. I took my pack off the frame and the belt off the frame and put them in a tub of cold water with Purex detergent. I just worked the pack with my hands and let it soak for a few hours and repeated again. I let it soak for another few hours then drained the tub. Then filled again with cold water and rinsed the pack. Then let it air dry. Worked great. Got to find some tall 30"x 16" 8 mil bags before next season to put the cooled game bagged meat in to pack it out. Garbage bags worked pretty good but I managed to punch a hole in one and some blood leaked out. Hope this helps. Mark
I dont think you would want to wash it in a washer or pressure wash it. That would separate the fibers in the material. I packed out two elk this year with my pack and had some blood get in the bottom of the pack and it did smell. I took my pack off the frame and the belt off the frame and put them in a tub of cold water with Purex detergent. I just worked the pack with my hands and let it soak for a few hours and repeated again. I let it soak for another few hours then drained the tub. Then filled again with cold water and rinsed the pack. Then let it air dry. Worked great. Got to find some tall 30"x 16" 8 mil bags before next season to put the cooled game bagged meat in to pack it out. Garbage bags worked pretty good but I managed to punch a hole in one and some blood leaked out. Hope this helps. Mark
Pressure washer, seriously just don't get 2 inches from the thing. Then use some type of water resistant treatment like Nikwax or Greenland wax.
roknHS
Member
Wash it by hand, maybe use an old tooth brush for scrubbing..............use Baking Soda and White Vinegar mixed with warm water. Rinse with clean warm water and let dry..................no smell.
Jrod
Active Member
WapitiBob
Veteran member
RICMIC
Veteran member
I packed my deer out of the mountains and got it in a meat locker. Then a motel room where I put the Eberlestock J1 pack in the tub with some unscented Arm & Hammer soap. A little scrubbing with a brush and a change of water cleaned it right up. I made sure to put out the "Do Not Disturb" sign so that the maid didn't walk in and think it was a crime scene. The best part was the next day, I put the pack on my topper to dry and watched it from 20' away, sitting at an outdoor restaurant, eating chips & salsa, and drinking Corona. After that it was another hike in to get my camp. I think the key is to not wait too long, and if you can't get on it right away to at least air dry it until you can.
I ended up tossing it in the commercial washer and it cleaned right up. until it rained and a slight stench. The price of success I guess.
Mark, I've had good luck with trash compactor bags holding up, not bullet proof, but about the strongest plastic bags I have found. Not sure of the mil count, but they are designed to survive the compacting action. May be worth a look for you.
I do want to say thanks to everyone on here. Part of my problem is I don't use the garbage bags, I just throw the meat in the pack in game bags and start walking.
I do know that compactor bags are far stronger than garbage bags. we use the compactor bags for multi day raft trips.
I do know that compactor bags are far stronger than garbage bags. we use the compactor bags for multi day raft trips.
You either need a pack with a load shelf, or you need drybags(or equal). I have an old pack that has a bag that is pure nylon, so it doesn't seam to soak up odor. I used to haul meat in that bag until I got a frame with a load shelf. I am fortunate enough to have a massive utility sink. I soaked the bag for a week in bleach and detergent, and it is just fine again. I have noticed the issue isn't always getting the stink from the meat because we are pretty good at getting that out. I screwed up and left my kill kit buried in the bottom for a couple extra days, and that was all it took to stink the bag. Get the chit out of the bag, and don't forget the little things.
25contender
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HiMtnHnter
Active Member
Do yourself a favor and carry a garbage sack. Once quarters are separated and put in game bags, use the sack to line your pack. The white compactor bags are a good choice since they don't absorb as much heat. An exposed black sack in intense sun is asking for trouble. Carry one in your pack and a few in your truck/camp.
25contender
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I have been using a Kifaru meat bag but it leaks. I put it in a regular garbage bag but they tear pretty easy with 70lbs of meat in them. I did find some 6 mil bags but they are expensive. I might buy a carton of 100 and sell the excess bags.