A Resource of Helpful Cleaning Tips
General Info.:
With a little care climbing harnesses will last longer and perform better.
Technique :
Always store climbing harnesses in a cool dry place away from solvents and sunlight. Nylon is especially susceptible to U.V. rays.
Wash a harness with warm water and a little mild detergent when needed. Rinse and let hang to dry.
Precaution :
Never expose nylon climbing harnesses to high heat sources. These can prematurely break down the fibres in the nylon.
General Info.:
Climbing ropes will deteriorate with exposure to dirt, moisture and sunlight. A few simple actions will increase the safety and effectiveness of your ropes.
Technique :
Store ropes in an optimal environment-chemical and sunlight free with an optimal temperature of 20 deg.C. (68 deg.F.) and relative humidity of 65%.
Remove excess dirt and always use a rope bag.
Precaution :
Always inspect ropes after every climb. Do not use any rope if you are unsure of it’s condition, especially after a fall, or if abrasion from crampons or sharp rocks have worn into the ropes mantle.
General Info.:
Climbing ropes will deteriorate with exposure to dirt, moisture and sunlight. A few simple actions will increase the safety and effectiveness of your ropes.
Technique :
Store ropes in an optimal environment-chemical and sunlight free with an optimal temperature of 20 deg.C. (68 deg.F.) and relative humidity of 65%.
Remove excess dirt and always use a rope bag.
Precaution :
Always inspect ropes after every climb. Do not use any rope if you are unsure of it’s condition, especially after a fall, or if abrasion from crampons or sharp rocks have worn into the ropes mantle.
Lynn from Idaho asks How do I clean the horrible odor from my sons shoulder pads?
Try washing down with an enzyme based cleaner. Enzyme cleaners do well at breaking down organic stains. Wash with cleaner then mix a spray bottle with the enzyme mixture and water and just spray and let sit, this should do some damage to the typical teenaged odor machine. Most laundry spotters or stain sticks and certain laundry soaps contain enzymes or you can buy them at any janitorial supply store in concentrate form, just mix with water. Enzymes work best when mixing with warm water and at least half an hour of dwell time to let the enzymes work.
I know you likely have told him a million times be sure to air out the pads after games or practice to be sure this problem is prevented in the first place. Even spraying with the enzyme solution and airing them out is good way to keep the teenager odor machine from overwhelming your household.
Tools & Techniques:
To clean golf clubs use a mild detergent and warm water. Wipe the club head with a rag dipped in the soapy water, scrub with a medium bristle brush to remove dirt and grass stains.
The most important thing according to golf pro Ray Pearson is the grooves of the face, “this is what controls the balls flight and spin. What a person can do before cleaning is to use a tee and scrape the dirt out of the grooves”. Dry the entire head and shaft with a clean cotton rag. Never submerge clubs, especially wooden woods as the water can damage the finish and the wood, not to mention they are likely antiques.
General Info.:
Gore-Tex is a specially constructed fabric with pores small enough to repel water droplets but large enough to let body-moisture evaporate out. When sandwiched with different face fabrics ,Gore-Tex is a very comfortable ,waterproof material.
The enemies of Gore-Tex are dirt, salts and oils which, over time, will wear away the Durable Water Repellency (D.W.R.). D.W.R. promotes water beading up and running off rather than soaking into the fibres.
Technique :
Frequent washings with detergent will keep the D.W.R. from breaking down as quickly. Be sure to rinse completely as detergents by nature cause water to penetrate into fabric in order to wash away dirt. Often a second wash cycle without detergent is necessary to get rid of all the detergent residue.
Everyday use and constant flexing will also cause small cracks in the D.W.R.. Drying the garment in a hot dryer will cause the D.W.R. to partially melt, re-fuse and seal over the cracks. You can also use an iron to touch up the D.W.R..
Eventually, the D.W.R. coating will wear out. There are several D.W.R. restoration products available at your local outdoor store.
Clean a guitar
Tools and techniques :
Idealy you should wipe down the strings and the face of the insturment after each use, as sweat, dust, and grime will damage the varnish over time if allowed to sit.
Use only a very soft, clean, dry cloth, to wipe the instrument and use it dry as many cleaning chemicals can damage the varnish. It is wise to have your instrument cleaned by a professional on an annual basis if you use it often. Be sure to store your guitar in its case, preferably in a cool, dry place with little temperature change.
General Info. :
Without proper care, leather (and suede) hiking boots will rot or else turn brittle and crack. Even newer waterproof boots need attention to keep the leather supple, conditioned and functionable.
Technique :
Some models are pre-treated at the factory and can be worn several times before waterproofing. Others , especially lighter boots, should be treated as soon as they are purchased.
After use, clean boots with clean, cool water and a medium stiff brush. If mud is allowed to dry on boots for any length of time natural oils can start to wick out of the leather.
Dry wet boots as soon as possible-take out footbeds and laces.
Re-apply the appropriate waterproofing often, especially after the boots have been soaked during use. Consult with the boot vendor for the best treatment for your particular pair.
Precaution :
Never dry wet boots with a direct intense heat source such as a campfire or blow-dryer. These will dry out the leather and weaken the glue.
General Information:
Urine should be cleaned using the water Based Stains Cleaning Method.
Tools & chemicals:
neutral pH low residue spotter, terry towels, water
Technique:
Using a terry towel soak or blot as much of the urine as possible. If the stain is fresh most of the urine can be soaked up this way, be sure you have lots of towels and always use a completly dry side of the towel to soak or blot. Now using a neutral pH low residue spotter, apply a small amount, blot and repeat until the stain is removed. An alternative is to mix 1 tsp. of neutral pH liquid detergent (dish washing or fine fabric detergent that does not contain any bleach ) into 1 cup of warm water. Tamp, do not scrub as this may distort the texture of of the pile. Cover with a white terry towel and press down repeatedly. If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1:2 white vinegar and water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.
General Information:
Urine should be cleaned using the water Based Stains Cleaning Method.
Tools & chemicals:
neutral pH low residue spotter, terry towels, water
Technique:
Using a terry towel soak or blot as much of the urine as possible. If the stain is fresh most of the urine can be soaked up this way, be sure you have lots of towels and always use a completly dry side of the towel to soak or blot. Now using a neutral pH low residue spotter, apply a small amount, blot and repeat until the stain is removed. An alternative is to mix 1 tsp. of neutral pH liquid detergent (dish washing or fine fabric detergent that does not contain any bleach ) into 1 cup of warm water. Tamp, do not scrub as this may distort the texture of of the pile. Cover with a white terry towel and press down repeatedly. If the spot or stain turns brownish when dry, mix 1:2 white vinegar and water. Apply a small amount and blot. Repeat only once.
Tools & Techniques:
Remove all excess material before attempting to clean. Remove by gently scraping off the excess gum (first place an ice cube in a plastic bag and rub over the gum to make it hard). Blotting is the act of using a terry towel or an absorbant towel and applying pressure to the stain with the dry towel, in effect transfering the stain to the towel. It is important to use a clean preferably white towel.
Apply a small amount of a volatile solvent and blot with a white terry towel.
Repeat this until the stain is removed or until no more of the stain will transfer onto the towel. Do not use solvents such as: gasoline or paint thinner.
Volatile solvents, such as acetone, nail polish remover or dry cleaning solvent, are available at some grocery stores or at your carpet cleaning supply retailer. A volatile solvent will dissipate at room temperature and will leave no residue. If you are using non-volatile solvents they must be completely rinsed with a volatile solvent. Non-volatile solvents (if left in the carpet) can cause delamination in synthetic carpets either immediately or over a period of time.
