Cleaning vests/rigs etc.

[DanBow]

After a particularly sweaty day on Sunday, my chest rug was left a little damp. How are you all cleaning yours? I know I can't just throw it in the washing machine! Is Fabreeze the way to go? ?‍

 

[JimFromHorsham]

Dunk it in a bucket of water or hose it off , leave it to dry .

 

[Impulse]

Most of the time I just hang it up and leave it to air. If it's bad, I'll give it a hose down first.

 

[MrTea]

Most times I just hang it up outside to air off. If it gets particuarly bad, put some washing gear in a bucket with warm water and give it a couple swirls/dunks. Leave for about 30 mins, rinse in clean water and hang dry.

 

[Tommikka]

Actually …. the washing machine is not an absolute no.

But whenever I’ve needed to give vests, chest rigs etc a good clean I have dunked them in the bath after me, left them in the bath or over the bath to drip overnight and then hung up.

For the washing machine:

dismantle / remove any possible separate pouches 

Ensure every pouch, pocket, lining etc is empty

turn it inside out and zip it up, buckle it etc (on the assumption that any dangly bits such as fixed pockets, straps etc will then be inside the main body)

put it inside something 

(the something would ideally be a net laundry bag, but could be a pillow cover or other fabric bag - this aims to protect the vest from your washing machine drum and your drum from the vest)

run the machine on a reasonable setting, such as not the fastest spin

Be amazed at how pristine it is on completion and don’t complain to me if it gets ripped/your machine breaks down/you get caught by your other half

 

[Jefferson2000]

Bang it in the shower or bath for a quick dip with some washing powder, then leave it to drip dry over the bath. 

 

[Rogerborg]

As above, and if there's any sign of mould, dilute white vinegar spray.

 

[Spartan09]

TBH, I just disassemble my rigs and throw them in the washing machine.

I just take the pistol holster and the grenade clamps etc off the vest. But i leave the mag pouches on, as they are velcro close pouches with no dangle bits of elastic or string to get snagged in the mechanism.

Run the washing machine on 40°C on sports setting with a liquid detergent tab and some scent booster granules in the drum, fabric conditioner in the drawer.  Then where possible, hang outside to dry

 

[Enid_Puceflange]

coincidentally, Evike did a video on this a couple of days ago

View attachment 150879

 

[ButcherBill]

use a foam gun attached to the garden hose & fill the container with diluted fabric soap.

 

[BigStew]

View attachment 150893

 

[ButcherBill]

I put a set of pattern 58 through the wash once... never again lol.

noisy as hell but cleaned up lovely.

 

[Jacob Wright]

A couple of times I’ve launched chest rigs and webbing in the bath with soda crystals to soak, and then drip dry. 
 

Did the trick although I did have to clean the bath after ?

 

[Rory]

I take any plates/inserts out, anything that can come off I remove, dunk it in a bucket of soapy water, then give it a bit of a scrub with a plastic brush. Rinse with the hose and leave to drip dry. My viper one is nigh on 18 years old and still perfectly useable. And as a "bigger unit " it's had to absorb some amount of sweat

 

[Baser]

After every game I dunk it in a bucket of warm water with some sports wash or white vinegar which kills the smell generating bacteria, I used to do this with my running / football kit when the washing tablets stop working. 
 

If it gets very dirty/muddy I take the pouches etc off it and give it ago in the washing machine with the rest of my washable kit @40 degrees. 

 

[Lozart]

My knackered knees and back mean I never actually get near enough to the ground to get that dirty.

Even though I sweat like a paedo in Mothercare, I've never "washed" a single chest rig in my life. They don't get left to fester in a bag though, soon as I get home they get hung back up and air out. Never had stinky gear.

 

[Lyndication]

You gotta let that stink develop man, it's the natural scent of the wilds. Makes you a hunter, you blend into the foliage man.

 

[Cannonfodder]

You gotta let that stink develop man, it's the natural scent of the wilds. Makes you a hunter, you blend into the foliage man.

Worryingly some people really do think that

On a similar note to cleaning kit, I've recently got some second hand molle pouches where the metal has corroded. Any ideas on how to clean them up?View attachment 151170

 

[Tackle]

Worryingly some people really do think that

On a similar note to cleaning kit, I've recently got some second hand molle pouches where the metal has corroded. Any ideas on how to clean them up?View attachment 151170

White vinegar is very good on rust, might work on this ?

(Soak the affected bits for 24-48 hours)

Although it looks reminiscent of limescale, so maybe a limescale cleaner might work ?

 

[Cannonfodder]

Thanks I'll give the white vinegar a go, Google says add salt and flour to make a paste so I'll give that a try too. Fortunately the poppers still work so it's only really cosmetic