Washing a TB bag

[Drew Mayer]

Hi, folks. I'm sure this question has been asked (and answered) many times before...but I'm going to play the fool and ask it again...what's the best way to wash/dry a TB bag? What soap is best?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

[backpack]

From Tom Bihn Inc FAQ

How do I clean my bag?
We recommend hand-washing your TOM BIHN bag with a mild detergent — environmentally friendly dish soaps work well, but as always, with any soap, test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the bag before you use it on the entire bag.
(Palmolive® and Dawn® soaps may be too harsh!)

Fill your sink or bathtub with warm water, add a little soap (a little goes a long way), and let the bag soak for a half hour. If there are visible spots of dirt, gently rub the area with a washcloth, or you can apply a little soap directly to that spot and let it soak. Rinse your bag thoroughly (this is a lot easier if you've only used a little bit of soap) and lay your bag flat on top of a bath towel to dry.



Methods we DON'T recommend:
Having your bag dry-cleaned or putting your bag in a washing machine or dryer will void the guarantee and make your bag look funny. We don't want either of those things to happen. Your TOM BIHN bag can last for years. The fabrics we use to make our bags are treated with a water-resistant coating, but over time, that coating will start to dissipate. If you live in a rainy climate like we do, we'd recommend treating your bag with Nikwax after one year of use.

[Drew Mayer]

Thanks, Backpack! Super-helpful.

[Fat Crip]

Yes thanks BP. My EDC iPad Ristretto has been carried almost everyday for over two years and when I got home from my last trip, having not used it for a fortnight, it struck me that, whilst it may be structurally as sound and waterproof as the day I got it, it is absolutely filthy! I can feel a good wash coming on very, very soon

[Erik N]

Just wondering whether the built in cache in the Ristretto is "soakable?

[Darcy]

Just wondering whether the built in cache in the Ristretto is "soakable?

It is. Just make sure to dry it 100% before you start using it again. And if, after washing and rinsing, you want to remove excess water from the Cache, gently press it with a towel repeatedly -- don't wring it out.

[ceb]

Question - I just got a second hand Ristretto that looks brand new but it has a funky smell. I currently have a cold so I can't positively identify the smell. It isn't moldy or mildew but actually smells like a beach towel - a kind of seaweedy/sandy/beachy smell but the bag came from Arizona. Not much seaweed there - only other kinds of weed.
Any thoughts on how to get the smell out? Fabreeze? Airing out doesn't help but the funny thing is that the bag doesn't look like it has ever been used.

[Darcy]

Question - I just got a second hand Ristretto that looks brand new but it has a funky smell. I currently have a cold so I can't positively identify the smell. It isn't moldy or mildew but actually smells like a beach towel - a kind of seaweedy/sandy/beachy smell but the bag came from Arizona. Not much seaweed there - only other kinds of weed.
Any thoughts on how to get the smell out? Fabreeze? Airing out doesn't help but the funny thing is that the bag doesn't look like it has ever been used.

I'd recommend trying Mirazyme.

[ceb]

Thanks. I'll try that.

[SharonP]

I have a small grease stain on one of my Clear Organizer pouches in Cordura - are there any different suggestions on trying to remove it? I have not tried anything yet.

[backpack]

I have a small grease stain on one of my Clear Organizer pouches in Cordura - are there any different suggestions on trying to remove it? I have not tried anything yet.

I followed the Crew recommendation when my oldest Small Cafe Bag in Cordura, started to look like a stain magnet.

Make sure the dish soap (the one for handwashing dishes) is environmentally friendly and clear, I use Seventh Generation.

In my laundry area, I have a small clean bottle of dish shop to remove grease stain from clothes, it works well.


Below are the Tom Bihn Crew recommendations for washing!

Fill your sink or bathtub with warm water, add a little soap (a little goes a long way), and let the bag soak for a half hour.
If there are visible spots of dirt, gently rub the area with a washcloth, or you can apply a little soap directly to that spot and let it soak.
Rinse your bag thoroughly (this is a lot easier if you've only used a little bit of soap) and lay your bag flat on top of a bath towel to dry.

[bltkmt]

Call me a rebel, but I have put my Dyneema bags through the washing machine (cold, gentle) a few times with no adverse effects.

[SharonP]

Thanks for the quick response

[Darcy]

Call me a rebel, but I have put my Dyneema bags through the washing machine (cold, gentle) a few times with no adverse effects.

Rebel? You're an outlaw.

All kidding aside, if these are exterior use bags (like, bags that you use on their own as opposed to bags that go inside of other bags), note that washing machines are tough on the waterproof coating on fabrics, so make sure to regularly renew the coating with Nikwax Tent & Gear.

[bltkmt]

Understood, Darcy...I am not endorsing this treatment. I do use the Nikwax as needed.

Sincerely,

Jesse James