The unpacking is easy to put off after a long drive home. Wet canvas, boots and packs can sit in the vehicle or shed for days, though, and by then the smell can be harder to shift than the mud. Give the gear an hour of attention before you store it.
Start by emptying every pocket and opening the pack right out. Brush off loose dirt, follow the maker’s cleaning instructions and let the fabric dry fully before closing zips or folding it away. A dry outer surface does not always mean the lining or seams are dry. Turn boots upside down to clear grit, remove the insoles if the design allows it, and dry them in moving air rather than against a heater.
Tents and tarps need room. Hang them so the corners and folded edges can dry, then check the storage bag before packing them away. If you cannot do that on the day you arrive, leave the gear loosely spread out until you can. A sealed bag of damp canvas is a poor place to keep next season’s kit.
Look at the storage space as well. A shed with a leaking roof, condensation or a musty smell can undo careful cleaning. Move the gear away from wet walls, deal with the source of moisture and check stored items periodically. Where mould is growing on the building itself, gear cleaning is only part of the job. For readers storing equipment around the NSW Mid North Coast, Coffs Harbour Mould Removal explains what its local mould removal service covers and when to arrange an inspection.
Before the next trip, pull out the tent, pack and boots a few days early. It is easier to find a damp seam or damaged strap at home than at camp.