filthy camera bag....how to clean?

[httpwww.photo.netphoto1664881429]

So I was shooting some horses in their pastures this evening. I took my

bag/equipment in to the big dusty pasture, slid it under the fence so no one

would get tangled up and my things would be out of the way so I was free to

shoot. I came back from shooting a few pastures away and wouldn't you know, one

of the Appaloosas thinks my camera bag is a curious toy. I didn't secure the

latches, so my manuals and macro lens (my best one) fell out of the bag. I

don't think he picked the bag up, so hopefully it just rolled out. Thank God I

had the caps and covers over my lenses, but the bag itself is absolutely filthy

from being drug around in the dust. Can anyone suggest safe ways of cleaning

out the dust? I'm afraid to continue using it in its current state for fear of

getting all kinds of sandy dust into my camera and lenses!!

 

This is the closest thing I can find to my bag...only the side pockets are

different...the material is the same. http://www.amazon.com/Canon-200DG-Digital-

Camera-Gadget/dp/B0002Y5WZC/ref=combo_pack_i_89/103-8762057-5222253

[brucecyr]

Empty it, including all inserts. Brush off caked mud with a stiff brush, then use a good vacuum. Then, if necessary, a damp sponge. Or you could just douse it with gasoline and sacrifice it to the Great Horse God.

[awahlster]

I have actually washed nylon bags in the dishwasher making sure to not allow the drying cycle. Works quite well sometimes you have to do it a couple times rotating it so all surfaces get hit by the jets.

 

Dish washing soap won't hurt it.

 

Afterwards open the bag up as much as possible and allow to dry for a week or so before putting your gear back in. AIR dry only but a nice warm place like a sunny window sill would be fine.

[ilkka]

At least Domke bags can be put in washing machine. Makes them look clean like new and even smell nice.

[michaelging]

I wash my camera bags all the time in the washer,I use a mild soap and let it air dry. I put it in the form that it came in when I take it out of the washer , so it dries with the correct shape.

[michaelging]

I did have a Tiger fill a bag with urine, at a fashion shoot one time and I washed it several times and never got the smell out.

[brucecyr]

Michael,

 

I don't think anyone can top that one, so I'm going to log off with a chuckle tonight :-)

[uriah]

lol...good one Michael. I left a big Tamrac bag in the garage for a few days to air out after washing it and a bird decided to use a few of the lens pockets as a nest. I decided to let the birds do their thing till the baby birds flew the bag.

[allison_reese2]

handwash in cold water using woolite

[pjmeade]

After photographing horses, I just brush the worst of the "dirt" off and make sure the inside is clean. I know I'm going to be getting it dirty again in just a day or two.

 

A lot of the residual mud gets washed off in the rain ;-)

 

Never had a tiger pee in it though! ! !