In order to prolong the life and usefulness of your waterproof backpack, it’s important to do two basic things: keep it clean, and maintain any airtight zippers, buckles, or other closures you may have.
Keeping Your Waterproof Backpack Clean
Backpacks see plenty of real-world use, so even if you aren’t out hiking or exploring the outdoors, your bag will still be a magnet for picking up dirt. The good thing about backpacks made with waterproof textiles such as TPU and PVC is that they easily wipe clean.
If you end up picking up sand, mud, or random debris, make sure to brush your bag off and use a hose if necessary to get the bulk of it off. If you have airtight zippers, make sure they’re closed. If your backpack doesn’t feature airtight zippers, then you’ll want to ensure you don’t start spraying the inside of your backpack unintentionally.
Once you’ve hosed off your bag, get the remaining stains out by wiping with a small sponge or rag using a light cleaner such as soap or even Windex. For harsher stains, you can also use kitchen degreaser, as long as you’re careful and avoid getting it contact with your skin.
Maintaining Your Airtight Zippers
To maintain your airtight zippers, use a protective lubricant and applying it directly onto the zipper teeth while unzipped. Slide the zipper several times to spread the lubricant evenly, and this is a quick way to ensure your zippers remain flexible and protected, and the lubricant also helps the zippers glide smoothly. There are many different zipper lubricants out there, and we prefer Breakwater Supply Zipper Glide. You can purchase Breakwater Supply Zipper Glide here.