Bag Wash

[jesse1dog]

Bought a Lowepro Nova 3 camera bag on eBay. Asking for trouble I suppose but at only £6 including postage did I have much to lose? Seller said it was in excellent condition except for a pen mark. What they didn't say was that I might not like the particular smell of the bag - I didn't.
Remembering that someone had washed their Billingham bag I persuaded 'her inside' to include my bag with some general washing of old towels etc in 'her' machine. I insisted that one of the towels was put in the bag before it was zipped up. Washed as 'coloured synthetics' at 30 degrees C and using a softner the bag has emerged looking like new and smelling sweet as the proverbial baby's bottom - no apparent damage to the bag material, the padding, or the zips.
So I've now got a smart bag and looking very much cleaner too. It's a bit softer than it was and if I were repeating the process I might leave out the softner in the washing process.

jesse

 

[zuikologist]

Did you dry it in the machine?

Does it have some kind of rain repellent coating and does this need to be reapplied?

 

[lawrence]

My FX5B has been in the machine. It shrunk slightly but otherwise fine...

 

[peterm1]

I have washed Billingham bags before - in fact they need it regularly. The light tan color is a devil for collecting stains. But I usually do it by hand - using a spray spot remover where needed a nail brush and a wool wash liquid detergent. I then squirt with fresh water to get rid of residual suds and stuff the bag full of dry towels and hang in a cool spot to dry slowly (I think warming may harm the waterproof lining.) If you can wash these bags - you can was any as these are made from leather and a kind of canvas not the modern synthetic (least they used to be!)

 

[Bill58]

Put it in a mesh bag made for washing delicate garments and wash w/ ordinary detergent in cold water only for normal cycle. Let it dry in the open air.

 

[Rob-F]

I machine washed my khaki F5XB with no problem. I used Tide bleach alternative detergent. The machine was on the delicate setting. I dried the bag in the dryer mon the low setting. Our dryer has a removable platform you can place items on to prevent them from tumbling. I used the platform and the bag came out clean and almost like new.

 

[jesse1dog]

zuikologist - the washer spun the bag till only just damp.
I then put it on a wire cake rack on top of our 'AGA' that was cooling down after cooking the evening meal. This morning the bag had dried out nicely. I didn't fancy putting it in the tumble dryer and really thought the slow dry was best.
As far as waterprrofing is concerned I like the idea of a spray but don't think the bag will need it because of the way its made. Incidentally if you are looking for a bag this ones pretty good. Mine has lost it's velco dividers somewhere but as I have some spare that isn't an issue.

jesse

 

[ChrisPlatt]

If I did so I would make sure to use unscented detergent and softener.

The previous owner of my Domke F5XC bag had washed it. It looked fine but had a strong fabric softener scent.
I placed the empty bag in my car's trunk. After several weeks the odor was no longer objectionable.

Chris

 

[back alley]

If I did so I would make sure to use unscented detergent and softener.

The previous owner of my Domke F5XC bag had washed it. It looked fine but had a strong fabric softener scent.
I placed the empty bag in my car's trunk. After several weeks the odor was no longer objectionable.

Chris

what made you think of putting it in your car trunk?

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I thought the temperature extremes might help hasten the process.

Chris

 

[Al Kaplan]

I need to replace one of the little leather straps on my 30+ year old Leica bag but I've never washed it! I think that it might hasten the drying out of the leather straps on the front cover.

 

[ramosa]

i have washed lowe and domke camera bags numerous times with no problems. in fact, while i normally remove the dividers, i have forgotten a couple times--and still no problem.

 

[35mmdelux]

I threw my Billingham Hadley tan bag in the washer along wit its green insulation, turned the bag inside out first. Ran it thru regular wash cycle a few times with cheap Mexican soap. Stinky bag came out smellin groovy. Also washed my DOMKE F803 RF tan satchel before I sold it after 15 years of outstanding service. New buyer loved the used look.

I let them air dry in the sun.