After The Festival: Cleaning And Storing Your Gear (Part 2)

Good post-festival gear care is less about spending more and more about a few smart choices. None of it needs expensive gear. Let's look at what makes post-festival gear care work, and what you can skip.

Why it matters

Worth keeping in mind: clean cookware and coolers thoroughly. Wash pots, pans and utensils, then dry them well to prevent rust. Wipe the cooler inside and out with a mild soap solution, leave the lid open to air out and store it with the lid slightly ajar. Check the fuel canister and stove, and keep fuel stored safely according to its instructions.

The basics

The key point is that finish by making a checklist for next year. Note what broke, what you wished you had and what you never used. Store everything in labeled bins in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and pests. Charge and store batteries properly. When the next festival season comes, you will be ready to pack in an hour.

What to plan first

It helps to remember that the weekend is over, but your gear still needs care. Treating it well right away makes it last for many seasons. Do a quick sort when you get home. Separate tents, sleeping bags, chairs, cookware, clothing and electronics, and lay them out so you can see what needs cleaning, drying or repair. Do this before everything gets buried in a closet.

Leaving your space as clean as you found it keeps events welcome everywhere.

Step by step

Put simply, tents need to be completely dry before storage, since damp fabric can grow mildew and develop a bad smell. Set the tent up in the yard or hang it over a line, shake out dirt and sand and brush off mud once it dries. Wipe the floor and walls with a soft sponge and mild soap, rinse well and let it dry again fully.

If you remember one thing, let it be that the weather decides more than the line-up.

Small things that help

More often than not, check poles, stakes, zippers and seams. Count the stakes, straighten any that are bent and look for cracks in poles. Lubricate sticky zippers with a product made for them and patch small holes with a repair kit. Wash sleeping bags and mats according to the care label, and store sleeping bags loosely in a large bag, not compressed in a stuff sack.

Leaving your space as clean as you found it keeps events welcome everywhere.

Practical tips

Some practical points to keep in mind:

• Take your rubbish home or use the recycling points.
• Label your tent and gear with your name.
• Take a reusable bottle if the event allows it.
• Bring earplugs made for concerts.

The bottom line

Take it one event at a time. The best festival is the one you enjoy from start to finish. Start with the basics and build from there.