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How to properly store camping equipment

Q. How do I properly store and care for my camping equipment?
— Careful Zachary, Quitman, Ga.

A. Well, Zach, if you’re like most guys I know, I’m sure the last thing you want to do when you get back from an outing is worry about cleaning and storing your gear. But if you don’t take care of your stuff, it won’t work properly later and could easily get ruined.

First off, never put your gear away when it’s dirty or wet. Clean the mud, dirt, sand, etc. off and, even more important, let it have enough to time to dry and air out before you pack it away. Organize your gear in sealable plastic tubs or cardboard boxes and keep it all in a cool, dry place. I keep my stuff in a shed with a dehumidifier constantly running to keep the wetness away.

A few specifics:

  • Tent: Set it up in the backyard when you get home. Make sure everything is dry, because a tent packed away wet can quickly mold, mildew and rot. Clean the dirt or sand off tent stakes and poles.
  • Sleeping bag: Air it out and then hang it up on a hanger in a closet or lay it out flat under the bed. Don’t store a sleeping bag long term inside its stuff sack because that can screw up the insulation inside.
  • Electronics: For long-term storage of flashlights, headlamps, GPS, etc., always remove the batteries to prevent corrosion or leakage. Then store your batteries in a sealed plastic bag nearby.
  • Cooking gear: Make sure your pots, pans, utensils and stove are all clean. Stray food drippings and crumbs will eventually attract insects and rodents.

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17 Comments on How to properly store camping equipment

  1. Thank you this was so much informative and helpful 🐱

  2. The snatcher // July 22, 2023 at 9:45 am // Reply

    Hey thanks, this really helped with the camping merit badge

  3. This really helped with the camping requirement 5c. Thank you!

  4. a bear that eats scouts and also became one in disguise // February 7, 2021 at 2:45 pm // Reply

    thanks for some helpful insight for camping merit badge requirement 5c

  5. helps for camping 5c

  6. Good to know I’m not the only one that came here for camping merit badge 5c

  7. I bought a bunch of cotton pillowcases from Goodwill. Once everything is dry, I put sleeping bags and tents into the pillowcases (I have to split bigger tents into multiple pillowcases) and hang them in a closet. Everything breathes, and nothing gets overly compressed. I hang inflatable sleeping pads on hangars behind the tents and sleeping bags.

  8. Stuff sacks will not harm down sleeping bags even in long term as long as it’s DRY. If the bag is damp it will damage it

  9. Very helpful camping merit badge 5c

  10. stormcraft // July 24, 2015 at 4:34 pm // Reply

    very helpful for 5c of the camping merit badge

  11. camper boy // July 5, 2014 at 12:53 pm // Reply

    thanks very helpful for the camping merit badge!!(:

  12. Thanks this helped

  13. bakpacdude // May 31, 2012 at 9:55 pm // Reply

    when you pack away your batteries for your stuff you can sometimes forget like I did at my last campout. make sure that you have everything before you go.

  14. If you have aquired lots of equipment: once it’s cleaned and dried try storing your equipment in labled totes. This will keep things from getting lost and dusty if stored in a garage.

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