cleaning heavy duty canvas

[Alexi]

I've just received a vintage Bergan pack from a friend. It smells really bad of mould, any ideas on how to clean it? I cant throw it in the wash due to the large amounts of leather and metal frame.

 

[Mike K.]

Try filling a small bucket with laundry detergent and some water. Use a scrub brush and hand wash the canvas parts. Let the detergent soak in for awhile, then rinse by hand. Air dry by hanging in front of a fan (if it takes too long to dry you'll just end up with more musty odor). Once dry, let the entire pack "air out" for a week or so. Be patient.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Or soak it in the bathtub. A little bleach will kill any mold and the moldy smell as well.