What ways do you keep your camera bag clean

[gb hill]

I have a Tamrac LTX series bag I carry most times I'm out. It's made of canvas like material with shoulder strap & perfect size for carying around an extra body & couple of lenses. Problem is that the black material tends to show dust & it's time for a cleaning. What methods do you use to clean your bag?

[Trius]

I throw my Domke in the washing machine. Apparently you're supposed to place it inside a pillow case.

For general dust cleaning, i.e., no stains or absorbed dirt, I use clear packing tape to pick up dust, lint, pet hair, etc.

[back alley]

dustbuster with brush attachment.

[gb hill]

Washing machine I thought of but the drying factor of a wet soggy bag just didn't appeal to me. I would think the pillow case would help protect the bag during drying, but my bag has those plastic interlocking snaps which might break.

I like Joe's idea but I think that's only good for a light cleaning unless that brush attachment makes for a good scrubber. Hope to hear from others out there.

[back alley]

i guess my bags don't get very dirty...

[Al Kaplan]

First off, here in Miami I prefer a light colored bag so it doesn't heat up so much in the sun. My light tan canvas original mid 1970's vintage Leica bag gets dirty. It got dirty years ago. It's stayed dirty. Those yellow and black striped fabric Nikon straps I like get dirty also. It makes you look like you actually use your stuff. I'm not sure that the washing machine, or even a dry cleaner, could get out all of the ground in dirt and stains. I don't try.

[smiling gecko]

hmm...you mean there supposed to be clean?

most of mine are tan or sand or grey and look sort "aged" - like me.

back when i was a working photographer i used to keep a lightly used (clean, non-scuffed, etc) bag or two in reserve for an assignment at the office or home or elsewhere for a client. the rest of the time i would launder or spot clean my personal non-working bags as needed.

now, i am less fastidious and don't mind a bag that has the odd scuff, smear, stain, etc. when the bag really starts looking bad i'll toss it into the washing machine on low with an old towel or two. i believe the towels help with the process by providing some gentle "abrasion" in the wash process.

breathe, relax and enjoy.

happy trails,

kenneth

[gb hill]

Originally Posted by back alley

i guess my bags don't get very dirty...

I think it's more like you don't keep your bags long enough. You sell em off for a new one before it gets dirty which is probably a good idea. I remember a nice tan bag you sold last year or a couple of years back I just missed. I think my next bag will be a tan or light colored bag.

[carlb]

I've just run my Safrotto bag through the wash. Cold water with a normal load and let it air dry afterwards. Seems fine.

I've just got back from a trip to Melbourne so god knows what it might have come into contact with after 5 days of being put on the ground, placed on tram seats etc

[back alley]

Originally Posted by gb hill

I think it's more like you don't keep your bags long enough. You sell em off for a new one before it gets dirty which is probably a good idea. I remember a nice tan bag you sold last year or a couple of years back I just missed. I think my next bag will be a tan or light colored bag.

this is true.

the domkes wash well and try quickly.