How to Properly Store Camping Gear

Going on a camping trip is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have. When camping, you get the chance to experience some things you never have before. Even though beautiful, camping can be exhausting, especially when going on more than one day, and the most tempting thing people experience when they get home is throwing the basic gear into the garage. 

Unfortunately, this is one of the worst things you can do for it because shortly after this you’ll end up dealing with a damp gear that stinks and is possibly damaged. For that and many other reasons, you should store your outdoor camping equipment properly.

How to Store It Properly?

Clean Everything Beforehand

Well, the first and most obvious thing you can do for your assortment of sturdy and well-designed camping gear is to clean it properly before storing it. But before doing it on your own, make sure to check the manufacturers’ guidance so you can know how to properly wash and dry it.

The sleeping bag and tent are the easiest to clean because they are big and flat. You can either wash them by hand or toss them in the washing machine for a better and more thorough cleaning. Once washed, let them air dry completely before storing them. The next thing you should clean and wash well is the cooking equipment. Wash them thoroughly, rub any stubborn stains and dry them before storing them away.

Be Careful When Drying It

This goes especially for sleeping bags which cannot be exposed to direct sunlight because the sun can damage their material. Instead, let them air dry away from the sun. By any means, double-check the bag and let it dry fully even if this takes more than one day. 

The same goes for the tent because storing damp gear (even slightly damp) can lead to the appearance of horrible smell, mould and mildew. Unfortunately, when dealing with something like that, it is better if you throw it than keep it as it poses a danger to your health.

Check for Faultiness

Whether you like it or not, this gear can wear out or get damaged over time. So, it is better to replace it than use it damaged. Before storing it, make sure to check every piece for broken parts, rips and chips, and in case of any, replace the equipment piece with a new one. That way, you can be sure that you’ll be safe all the time and there will be no risk to use your equipment.

Throw Away What You Don’t Need

Have you ever stored something only to realise that you don’t need it at all?! Well, this can happen quite often, especially with camping equipment, and the saddest part is that such gear will only take up a lot of storage space, but you’ll also end up frustrated for not having enough space to store something else. 

Having this in mind means that it would be better if you go over your equipment from time to time and get rid of the things that you don’t need anymore. This will reduce any stress in the future and allow you to have easier access to everything you need.

Place in a Cool and Dry Place

When it comes to storing your equipment, aside from the aforementioned things for keeping it clean and dry, you really shouldn’t forget about keeping it in a cool and dry place as well. This could be a garage, basement, loft or even your bedroom. 

Even if you have lots of space in the garage or basement, storing your equipment in a moist or mouldy environment would only mean that you’ll experience some kind of damage sooner or later. In such cases, it’s better to keep it under your bed in the bedroom than in wet and humid areas.

Use Storage Containers

The easiest way to stay more organised is to keep everything organised in containers, and storing camping equipment in Australia isn’t any different. To have easy access to everything, it is best if you keep the equipment in a good insulating container. You can either invest in one larger storage container where you can keep everything in one place, or you can use several – one for cooking equipment, the other for smaller things like lanterns, headlamps, hand torches, batteries etc. 

The most important thing you shouldn’t forget about when storing things in containers is to label them. Whether storing equipment, clothes, summer beach equipment or anything else, labelling the containers will help you stay more organised while giving you easy access to everything. The only things you shouldn’t store in containers are pillows and sleeping bags, as they seem to be better when stored in storage bags. That way, you won’t block air circulation, leaving them fresh for the next use.