Getting Smell Out of Your pack?

BKhunter

WKR
Joined
Oct 13, 2016
Messages
374
Location
New York
Hey All,

Was on an elk hunt this week and came out heavy. Now my pack is stinking pretty good. Any tips on how to get the smell out? TIA.

BK
 
I usually take the bag off the packframe, and wash the bag really good with dawn or laundry detergent. Then air dry it.
 
I usually take the bag off the packframe, and wash the bag really good with dawn or laundry detergent. Then air dry it.
Even the frame stinks so I have to wash that as well. I used dawn and oxy clean and still stinks I'm trying now with the same mix but added a little white vinegar to try and kill the stink and bacteria that I assume is causing it.
 
Even the frame stinks so I have to wash that as well. I used dawn and oxy clean and still stinks I'm trying now with the same mix but added a little white vinegar to try and kill the stink and bacteria that I assume is causing it.
Sounds like you gave the pack the full treatment on this hunt! I should have added that I always place the quarters/loose meat/whatever in large contractor trash bags before putting it in my pack, that probably saves me a lot of smell and mess...
 
Fill the tub up, and let it soak for a bit. Then use a hose and nozzle so you can get anything that is stuck in the middle of the fibers.

Packed a couple elk out in my pack over a few days and I had to let mine soak overnight and take it to a carwash.
 
Sounds like you gave the pack the full treatment on this hunt! I should have added that I always place the quarters/loose meat/whatever in large contractor trash bags before putting it in my pack, that probably saves me a lot of smell and mess...
Yea I was worried about the meat spoiling by not letting heat escape so dumbed the game bag right into the pack
 
Get the scent out? I think I’ve carried out 10-15 animals since washing mine last. The stink is a cover scent. It’s not a beauty contest.
 
ReviveX Odor Eliminator by Gear Aid

I bought a used day pack that smelled awful from mold/mildew. This stuff worked well.
You need a big tub to soak it.
 
Cold soak with oxyclean for 2 days with 3 changes of water worked after my caribou hunt.

I pulled everything apart for the soak and did not put it back together until dry.
 
What Marbles said and, as a finishing touch, put the pack in the closed canopy of a pickup truck (parked outside) with an ozone generator running for eight hours. The pack will have a solvent smell upon removal, but that will dissipate in a day or five hanging outside. Careful with the ozone generator. Read and follow safety warnings regarding exposure to the chemical and inhalation.
 
Couple of alcohol pads. Won't clean the pack but put them under your nose before carrying the pack. Problem solved. Or sell in classifieds as "slightly used pack" used for one elk hunt. Then buy a new one
 
I have used cold water and Oxyclean in the bathtub successfully. Scrub the bloody spots, rinse thoroughly, and dry in the sun.
 
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When you've tried everything else and it still stinks, put some charcoal briquettes in it and let it set a while. I used this method to rescue a Yeti cooler I was about to toss after trying everything. Also one time we bought a used vehicle that smelled like Indian food and the charcoal worked on that too. It's my last resort proven method.
 
Step 1 take cooler that had elk quarters in that needs a rinse. Hose down and empty.

Step 2 fill said 150 qt cooler with your favorite smelly soap, car wash variety, dawn waterever.

Step 3 empty pack of all contents, open all zippers and throw it in cooler and forget about it for a few hours or days

Step 5 empty cooler (now extra clean) hose down suds in cooler and pack, place both in a sunny place to dry.

Step 6 go back out and kill another critter and repeat process.
 
Take the bag off the frame, take both to a car wash or use pressure washer at home to get the heaviest areas broken up, clean the frame as well . Get a large tub or big azz bucket & fill with cold or warm water & add unscented soap mix until you have lots of suds place bag in tub & let soak for at least 24 hrs . Remove back to the hose or pressure washer ,use scrub brush & hit any blood hair or dirt spots, if there are any really heavy spots spray with a stain remover or a shop style degreaser rinse or PW again . Dump the old water refill place bag back in soak again depending on stains 2 to 24 hrs. Remove hang to dry if there is any smell grab a handful of coffee grounds sprinkle in each pocket let set overnight, turn the bag over & shake out or vacuum any remaining grounds .. If you have any odor still next time in the field grab a couple of handfuls of sage juniper pine etc & hang or put in your bag !!
 
Soak it in the tub with diah soap and vinegar. Dunk it over and over and watch the blood change the water. Rinse and repeat.

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Get the scent out? I think I’ve carried out 10-15 animals since washing mine last. The stink is a cover scent. It’s not a beauty contest.
We take a lot of care to keep a clean camp in Grizz country.....and then our packs are stained with blood and in our tent lol.

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