23
votes
Accepted
What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?
When it's unsuitable for removal by your group, contact the relevant authority for that land and let them know the type of litter and its location (pictures and GPS coordinates are helpful). For ...
- 1,509
17
votes
What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?
This is what I do:
I always have extra carry-bags to keep the trash in.
Depending upon what my plan is, if I am coming around the same way back home, I usually pickup everything which shouldn't be ...
- 31.6k
14
votes
How do I disinfect my wool hiking socks?
Simply throwing them in the wash should suffice, but if you want to be extra sure the fungus dies, you could soak your socks in a 1 part bleach to 10 parts water mixture for ten minutes. Keep in mind ...
- 53.3k
14
votes
What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?
If the item is small enough to move, but too large to easily carry out. Organize the junk so that it is stacked as inoffensively as practical, but remains easily accessible. Don't hide it or drop it ...
- 30.2k
13
votes
De-stinking my water shoes
Care for your neoprene water shoes as you would for any neoprene wetsuit.
http://scubadiverlife.com/2011/03/15/scuba-wetsuit-care-101-removing-odors-extending-suit-life/
You can use any search ...
- 980
12
votes
What should an outdoors traveler know about the biodegradability of plastic?
"Things don't always go perfectly" - what does that mean? There is no reason at all you should ever leave plastic behind.
Bring in as little plastic as you can. Pack your stuff in reusable containers....
- 11.8k
10
votes
How do I disinfect my wool hiking socks?
(Late answer here.)
A scholarly report discusses fungus and laundry
Several years ago, a scholarly report was published. The report's "Appendix A" discusses, among other things, how you should do ...
10
votes
Accepted
How to get mould out of rucksack?
Sun will help. You can leave it in the sun, taking care the whole affected area gets direct sun. Then, still outside, brush off all that is possible with a stiff brush. After that you can proceed to a ...
- 3,270
10
votes
Accepted
How to painlessly remove gunk left by tape gloves?
After looking around the internet, it seems that oils can be used to remove tape residue. So things like,
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
would be possibilities for removing the gunk and shouldn't hurt if it ...
- 69.1k
8
votes
What is the most effective method to clean skin exposed to poison oak?
As noted, the key is removing it quickly. If you like to carry around dishsoap, that will work great. However if you do not regularly carry that around, abrasives are a good alternative. I've ...
- 32.1k
8
votes
Accepted
What should I do if I get sprayed by a skunk?
The magic skunk-smell-be-gone recipe:
In a plastic bucket, mix well the following ingredients:
1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 cup of baking soda
1 to 2 teaspoons liquid soap
First thing you ...
- 53.3k
8
votes
Accepted
How can I effectively clean the "bite valve" for my water bladder?
Ok so I've not had mine too long but this is what I do - bear in mind I'm not 100% sure what kind of the many moulds that is but I'd say it's probably not pleasant.
Vinegar should kill the mould. ...
- 15.4k
8
votes
How to clean soaked-in winter salt off boots?
Put them on a go for a hike where it is wet or snowy and not salty. The post How much sea water can I safely drink? has a bunch of words about salt and water in a body. Leather is skin.
The same ...
- 30.2k
8
votes
Accepted
What is a good way to clean the inside of a water bottle straw while on a multi-day backpacking trip?
I would make an improvised bore snake with a piece of string or fishing line and a small piece of clean cloth and pull the piece of cloth through the straw just like you would a gun barrel.
Everyone ...
- 69.1k
8
votes
My Trangia leaves soot all over everything—how do I remove or prevent it?
If unable to change fuel, as others have mentioned... as a youth I would spread dish soap (like dawn) over the outside of the pot (where the flames would hit). Then heat up my water/cook on a wood ...
- 81
7
votes
Accepted
What is the most effective method to clean skin exposed to poison oak?
Poison oak's "poison" is an oil-based substance; therefore any oil-removing soap will do the trick. Dish soap is a low-cost and easily available substance for cleaning poison oak from skin. This study ...
- 8,670
7
votes
Accepted
Cleaning the sipper pipe of a hydration pack
There are cleaning kits designed specifically for cleaning hydration packs like Camelbaks:
Camelbak also provides cleaning instructions on their website:
The best way to care for your reservoir is ...
- 53.3k
7
votes
Cleaning the sipper pipe of a hydration pack
I also gave this option a thought.
Cleaning it up with strong potable soda water. This has to be done when the precipitation is moist, and not dry. That would flush it off at least better then water.
- 31.6k
7
votes
What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?
This is country specific - but yours may have some automated way of reporting this. My own little homeland made me proud when they rolled out a smartphone app for hikers that allows to report any kind ...
- 171
7
votes
How to clean soaked-in winter salt off boots?
It think the best way to approach this subject is three fold.
Cleaning the Shoes
Preventing Further Damage
Use a waterproofing product
Here are three steps to clean your boots:
Cleaning the ...
- 9,579
7
votes
How to painlessly remove gunk left by tape gloves?
Gojo Pumice Hand Cleaner.
If you've worked with grease, grime, or in a coal mine then you know what pumice hand cleaner is, it has silica sand in it to help scour away the gunk. You use it without ...
- 53.3k
6
votes
Accepted
How do I get mold off my sandals?
I solved the problem with a combination approach.
Given that throwing them away was one option, I didn't see the point in trying anything weak. We all know the phrase "kill the mold on your shoes or ...
6
votes
How do I get mold off my sandals?
Start by wetting them so you don't get mold into the air. With a weak Lysol solution, scrub them with a toothbrush. Let them dry, and spray them with MiraZyme.
Or as ShemSeger says, just get new ...
- 32.1k
6
votes
De-stinking my water shoes
Rinsing them in clean water when you are finished using them will definitely help stop them smelling.
To deal with the current smell I would just leave them in a sink/bucket of clean water for a ...
- 7,079
6
votes
How can I effectively clean the "bite valve" for my water bladder?
Is this likely to be a health issue? No, it is very unlikely to cause ant health issues. This isn't mold, it's mildew. Mold should not be able to grow on silicone (the material of the outer sheath of ...
- 61
6
votes
Do I need down-specific washing liquid for my coat?
There's no way you can know from that description whether the two products are identical. There's more than one kind of polycarboxylate, more than one kind of soap, more than one kind of non-ionic ...
- 3,742
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible