Help - mouldy bag!

funkymonkey849

I have a hiking rucksack, you know the kind with the padded back and toggles on every corner. About 2 months ago it got put away in the cupboard, little did I know there was an orange lurking at the bottom - which has now completly disintergrated into a pile of green mouldy slime all over the inside of the bag.

The bag is nylon and polyester and the label says 'do not wet', normally I would just chuck it in the washing machine. The mouldyness has seeped into the fabric so it needs a good wash. What's the best thing to do, and how can I make sure I get rid of all the mould spores?

Peartree

I'm not an expert on these things but I think I'd be inclined remove the gunk and then to stick it near a radiator until it completely dries out (somewhere that you can live with the smell whilst it happens) then give it a very good do with the vacuum cleaner (with a tool thing) as a first stage.

What on earth use is a rucksack that you can't get wet though? I'd guess they only mean that you shouldn't immerse it in water. I'm sure you'd be able to to give it a good wipe when you've got the worst off. If you've got a steam cleaner, that would kill any spores. Failing that, a bit of a wipe over with any of the things that kill mould - hot water with a bit of tea tree oil, for example.

LJM

i would stick it in duvet or pillow case and wash it anyway,i have a couple of good brand rucksacks which i have done this too and they are still fine

funkymonkey849

Yes I think it will have to get wet! Will probs just stick it in pillowcase and chuck in washer and hope for the best. Thanks x

morwenna

I'd wash it too - put some bicarb in the wash too, it helps neutralise any smells.

valk_scot

It's because using detergent or any cleaner containg surfactants will ruin any waterproofing. Turn it inside out and scrub off the debris with a nail brush and water, then use soap and water to clean it, then rinse half a dozen times, then use a weak solution of Milton to kill the spores. Then rinse again half a dozen times. Dry well. Finally give it a spray of Fabsil to renew the waterproofing. This is how you get mould out od synthetic tents.

That's what I'd do on a quality rucksack anyway, the type that costs ££££ and is meant for real hiking. If it's just a £20 cheapy daypack, throw it in the washing machine at 30`C.

funkymonkey849

Valk_scot that makes sense about the waterproofing

It is a cheap one, it came from primark - but I'm thinking the cost to replace it would be more cos it's the perfect size and fits well, so don't want to ruin it

Thanks everyone

charliee_3

i'd wash it.. you'll never use it again in the condition its in so what do you have to lose?

LilacPixie

i'd pillow case it and in the machine with some soda crystals

LJM

you can always buy the stuff to rewaterproof it from millets or such like stores i get it for my girls raincoats i find my self constantly washing

LJM

http://www.millets.co.uk/product/082663.html

i know this one is for shoes but something like this anyway