How to Care for Your Camping Equipment

Camping equipment, when it’s properly cared for, can last for years. Making your camping equipment last requires a certain amount of care, both during the camping season and after the camping season. Here are some tips to help make sure your camping gear stays in the best shape possible:

Use plastic tubs or storage bins with lids to store your camping items. You can put kitchen items, such as camp stoves, pots, pans, aluminum foil, dish soap, plates and bowls, eating utensils, and a tablecloth in one tub. Store non-kitchen items, such as flashlights, batteries, bug spray, sunblock, garbage bags, propane, a lighter, and your first aid kit in another tub. Use a third tub for gear that might be prone to getting dirty, or technical gear. This would include things like rock climbing gear or technical gear. Keeping your items in tubs keeps dirt and bugs away from your equipment, and makes packing much easier for the next time you camp.

When you return from a camping trip, empty out your bags, backpacks and tubs right away. Get rid of any debris, food remnants, garbage or dirt that might be in or around your equipment. If possible, wash your backpacks and duffle bags, and wipe down suitcases or other carrying equipment that can’t be laundered.

Store your camping equipment somewhere dry and cool during the off season. Your goal is to prevent the equipment from growing mold or being exposed to rodents or other harmful critters.

If you have to pack up camp in the rain, make sure that you empty out all of your camping equipment when you get home. Dry it off, or lay it out in the sun to dry off. This helps prevent rust, mold, mildew and helps your camping equipment last longer.

Wash down your tent at the end of every season, and then let it dry before you store it. This keeps it clean and helps prevent your tend from becoming musty.