How to clean a bag

[Bungiex88]

My buddy gave me a brand new bag since I was looking for one. He won it at a tournament but was sitting in his shed for years. It has a little stink to it like mice might of got into it. What’s the best way to clean a bag like that. Would I be able to sprinkle dawn dish soap all on it and soak it with the hose then let dry. Has anyone had to clean a bag like that. 

[dennyjones]

What material is it?  Leather, vinyl?  I'd let it sit in the direct sunlight for several hours before doing much of anything.   Maybe just a Clorox wipe or even just a cloth with a mixture of vinegar and water would be enough.   It's best to use too little chemical and have to reapply then to overdose and ruin the bag.

[Bungiex88]

It’s vinyl. I ended up drizzling a little dawn on the outside and in then sprayed with a hose now it’s hung up in my basment with a dehumidifier blowing on it 

[iacas]

Yeah, clean it with gentle stuff and see how far you can get.

If needed, consider moving on to harsher stuff, but generally the gentle stuff will be okay.

[chilepepper]

If it smells a little funky put some fabric softener sheets in the pockets for awhile 

[Piz]

Get caught, out on the course, in a couple torrential down pours.  Be careful not to prepare for such an eventuality: no rain covers, no plastic bags, no nothin'.  Mother Nature will do the rest.

[Bungiex88]

I did pick some mouse nests out from the bottom of it 

[GrandStranded]

LMAO. At what point do you say, "Enough of this sh**. I'm going to go buy a new one?"

[Bungiex88]

This one is brand new still half wrapped in plastic never used. I’ll take 15 minutes out of my day to save $80 for not buying a brand new one. 

[Patch]

I clean mine once a year, usually the end of October. Take everything out of it that was collected over the previous 12 months. 

I hang it upside down, and water spray off all interior pockets, and the exterior. Before it dries, I spray Lysol/pinesol, or something similar on the interior, and exterior. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then water hose it completely again. 

After it dries, I lube the zippers with vaseline, wipe the excess off,, and do any necessary repairs as needed. 

Those pull strings on the zippers, I replace with small with ties as needed. 

After that, it's good for another 12 months. There is also a 6 month check up. My TE staff bag is going on 12-13 (?) years. It's showing it's age, but then again, so am I.

[boogielicious]

8 hours ago, Bungiex88 said:

This one is brand new still half wrapped in plastic never used. I’ll take 15 minutes out of my day to save $80 for not buying a brand new one. 

If the smell persists, spray some Febreze in it and on the surface. It won't harm the fabric and does a good job with odors. The fragrance will dissipate too.

[Darth_Fader]

8 hours ago, Patch said:

It's showing it's age, but then again, so am I.

😂 Had same sun mountain bag since I started the game. The dividers no longer divide but its still the lightest and fastest drying bag I've encountered (the latter being of particular importance in my neck of the woods) and just can't part with it. Re OP, vinegar/water solution sounds like the best way of gently cleaning w/o damage. For the smell, some of those scented carpet cleaning granules, pour em in, leave em a while, empty/vacuum out and a light rub down with whatever afterwards. Years of dodgy rugby gear bags agree with this method!