Whether your passion is camping, hunting, hiking, walking or cycling, there’s one thing you shouldn’t overlook: the proper storage of your outdoor gear. Correct storage is an often-ignored part of maintenance, but it’s certainly one that should be given some attention. Without proper storage, mold and mildew can develop, or the gear you’ve invested in might not last as long as it should. Read the following hints and tips to help create a proper storage plan for your outdoor gear.
Refer To The Instructions
Manufacturers often issue informational leaflets that will include details about the correct maintenance of their goods; these will sometimes provide information about the best way to store their products/gear. However, if there aren’t directions for storage, refer to the company website or item description as these can be good sources to find out more about long term care. Alternatively, if it’s a specialist item and you feel that it might need a specific method of storage, speak to the supplier for some guidance or ask on forums for advice on tried and tested storage methods.
Check Outdoor Gear Before Storing It Away
Whichever activity you enjoy, your gear is going to get dirty. If you’re an avid hiker, cyclist or camper, mud is one of the major problems, and as you’ll know, grass, food and drink stains, and damp are all part of the outdoors life. Carry out a quick inspection of your gear before you pack it away. If the items need cleaning, clean them in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturers. Also, check for any form of poor maintenance, such as tears and holes in camping gear or clothing and repair before storing. Finally, ensure your gear is dry before storing.
Select A Single Place
Find a suitable, single location where you can store all or most of your outdoor gear. You could choose from a space in the garage or shed, a closet or kitchen cupboard. Select the one location where you can keep everything together so it’s easy to access. Whichever place you choose, make sure that it’s free from moisture, or your outdoor gear might develop mold or be exposed to other problems. For instance, the garage is a favorite storage place for many, but garages can be prone to moisture or to harsh smells like petrol fumes.
Some camping gear might be suitable for storing in a closet. However, canvases and sleeping bags should be given plenty of room to ‘breathe’ and the area should be free from condensation. Also, check for signs of moths or other infestations before storing your gear.
Sort Your Outdoor Into Types And Categories
If you want to be extra organized, divide your gear into different categories/activities so you don’t need to hunt through a lot of stuff when you’re getting ready for your next trip. Find suitable storage boxes of a reasonable size so you don’t need to fold your gear up too much; choose smaller boxes for accessories that could otherwise roll around or get lost.
It might be time consuming to do this, but you’ll only have to do it once; after that it makes packing for your next outdoor trip easier. Label one storage box as ‘hiking’ one for ‘camping’ etc. This way you can see where everything is stored at a glance rather than hunting for it.
You’ll find some gear falls into more than one category. Either put this into one storage box and label it as ‘miscellaneous’ or put it into the category that gets the most use. For items that are easily creased, a closet might provide a good storage space, there is plenty of ventilation.
Storing Clothes
As with other outdoor gear, store your clothes in accordance with the instructions and only use the products that are recommended for maintenance and washing/cleaning. Remember that each manufacturer will have their own guidelines and the way you store and clean one type of clothing might not suitable for others. When storing for long periods, use gentle, natural products to ward off moths such as lavender or cedar wood balls.
Conclusion:
Getting a proper storage system in place for your outdoor gear means you’ll be well organized for your next trip. Also, it might even lengthen the life of your equipment by avoiding common problems like mildew or excessive wear from being stored incorrectly. For special care items and specific brands, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to keep your gear in the best possible condition.
Woop! Wear specializes in the sale of alpaca activewear clothing for outdoors lovers. To find out more about our range, to order an item, or to ask us a question, visit the Woop! Wear website today.
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