Can You Wash A Domke F-803?

[Bob Baron]

I've got a black Domke F-803 that I'd like to make look a little more, well, 'used'.

Can you wash these bags in the washing machine or is that a really bad idea?

 

[back alley]

you can...if you machine dry it then put a towel in also to keep the noise down...

but to be honest...i wouldn't as the black will fade pretty quick when used out in the elements.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I wouldn't put it in the dryer! Let it air dry or it may shrink

 

[back alley]

air dry no heat...

 

[Ranchu]

I've washed a bunch of domke's. Get a clean five gallon bucket or something, fill it with cold water and a bit of dishsoap. You're just using the soap to clean the water, not to clean the domke, so to speak. You could even leave the soap out, if the domke's new, probably a good idea. Put the domke in and squish it around, add some more water, let it sit, go back and squish it some more. Fill up the bucket with just cold water and squish the domke some more, dump out the water and repeat with clean water two more times. That's to wash the soap out, so if you never used soap, you can skip that. If you have back problems this might not be the best thing, I do it in the tub, it's a lot of bending and dumping a five gallon bucket.

Hang it in the shower to dry a bit. Squeeze it a bit, don't wring it or anything. Take it out of the shower to dry when it's pretty much done dripping.

It'll take about three days to dry. I don't put it in the dryer, myself.

 

[PhotoGog]

I have washed my F-802 plenty of times. Cold water on gentle or delicates cycle. The textile fades quite a bit after a while, but who cares? The battleworn look is the best; the faded tan colour of mine is much more pleasant than the mustard yellow of the new. Keep in mind, however, that the metals clasps and rings will rust. Again, fine with me. Otherwise avoid using a machine and wipe down instead.

 

[Highway 61]

I've got a black Domke F-803 that I'd like to make look a little more, well, 'used'.

Can you wash these bags in the washing machine or is that a really bad idea?

Like every fabric garment those Domke bags will get dirty on a regular basis : not only can you wash it in the washing machine, but, you must do it if you want to use a bag which keeps clean over time. If yours was sand not black you would see immediatly by yourself.

30°C with regular soap, regular cycle, 600 turns/min wringing, normal air drying (hang the bag by its shoulder belt).

You can wash the inserts too. The white foam pieces inside the inserts will take much time to dry, because they trap water. You can remove them before putting everything into the washing machine.

The F-803 is a small bag, so you can wash it altogether with some clothes of yours (water isn't really something free).

Keep in mind, however, that the metals clasps and rings will rust.

Sounds strange. I've washed several Domke bags plenty of times in the washing machine as described above and the metal clasps and rings never rusted - all of mine look to be made of black anodized inoxydable steel. The same with the zippers.

 

[Rob-F]

I washed my tan F-5XB in the washing machine with Tide, ran the dryer on the delicate setting, and it turned out OK. When it was dry I treated it with Nikwax, which darkened the color a bit.

 

[back alley]

one big tip that i failed to mention before...remember to take out all gear before placing into the washer!!
😉

 

[Dan]

I've got a black Domke F-803 that I'd like to make look a little more, well, 'used'.

Can you wash these bags in the washing machine or is that a really bad idea?

When my 803 was new I filled it with crumpled newspapers, gave it to my 4 year-old daughter, and told her to go drag it around the sidewalk for a while.

Bag got 'used' and she had fun -- win // win.

 

[daveleo]

After washing, stuff it hard with rags or something and let it air dry.
I put one of mine in the dryer and the canvas shell shrank but the padding did not and the inside is now permanently out of shape

 

[Ranchu]

Sounds strange. I've washed several Domke bags plenty of times in the washing machine as described above and the metal clasps and rings never rusted - all of mine look to be made of black anodized inoxydable steel. The same with the zippers.

They used to be like that, the one on my newish F-10 is a ****ty spray painted piece of crap. The hook takes the paint right off.

After washing, stuff it hard with rags or something and let it air dry.
I put one of mine in the dryer and the canvas shell shrank but the padding did not and the inside is now permanently out of shape

I just air dry them, no stuffing, never had a problem with them shrinking. They take long enough to dry..

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I'd skip the washing, initially at least, and go straight to the drier.
A half-hour or so on low heat would probably soften it considerably.
Repeat as necessary. Place it in a damp expendable towel to quiet it.

Chris

 

[daveleo]

If Domke (my favorite bags) were cool, they would prewash / preshrink the denim before they made the bag.

 

[Tim Murphy]

Wash it

Wash it

I've got a black Domke F-803 that I'd like to make look a little more, well, 'used'.

Can you wash these bags in the washing machine or is that a really bad idea?

Dear Bob,

As the owner of dark colored camera bags and light haired dogs if I couldn't machine wash my camera bags it would look like I was carrying a small dog slung over my shoulder. 😉

Every canvas, Cordura, or ripstop nylon camera bag I own gets washed and machine dried on low when needed. Nothing has failed at this point and even the leather pads and handles have survived intact.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA 🙂