Military mag pouches (cloth/canvas etc...)

[Bob_The_Student]

Didn't know where to put this but I'm wondering if I can gently wash old military mag pouches, bags etc...? I have some that are canvas or like canvas material that are rather dirty. I'm wondering if I can throw on gentle cycle and wash without tearing off shoulder strap or damaging anything else?

[Phosphorus32]

Didn't know where to put this but I'm wondering if I can gently wash old military mag pouches, bags etc...? I have some that are canvas or like canvas material that are rather dirty. I'm wondering if I can throw on gentle cycle and wash without tearing off shoulder strap or damaging anything else?

I've only done this for dirty canvas ones that had a musty, mothball or diesel odor. If they have straps, tabs etc. I just hand wash by soaking for a bit in laundry detergent, rinsing and sun-drying. If they have any leather bits, then after they dry, a rub down with mink oil (doesn't penetrate as much), or neats foot oil (penetrates well but darkens). Some people swear by Pecard leather treatment but I've never tried it.

[echo83]

Same as Phosphorus32...but I went the dish soap and brush route. Even the modern stuff (my USGI MOLLE pack) says to use mild soap and a brush. (I think laundering/dry cleaning messes with infrared detection, but I digress)

I got a canvas/cotton Chinese chest rig from Sarco that was old, but apparently unissued. I didn't like the looks of some of the white spots on it, and it smelled kind of musty. I threw it in a bucket of really hot water with a few squirts of dish soap,  then scrubbed the spots with a plastic brush. Only took a few minutes.

Sun-dried on a deck chair, and it was good to go. Some people stuff the pouches with paper to keep them from shrinking, but I didn't, because I thought it would slow the drying, and I had no problems.

What kind of pouches are you trying to clean up?

[Larry D.]

A tub of hot water, mild soap, a brush and some elbow grease.

I have a friend that deals in vintage AK mag pouches and such and that's his method.

[Bob_The_Student]

Thanks, Gents! Never even crossed my mind to just scrub. Sometimes the obvious is staring us...

[Larry D.]

Just got a couple of really cool Czech camo AK pouches from my buddy in Florida.
They got the hot water and dish soap treatment.
Now they look used, not dirty and used.....

[firstchoice]

Pics! I'm trying to remember the Czech camo pattern/look. Always like to see examples. Do you just air dry the pouches?


firstchoice

[Bob_The_Student]

My dirty pouches are still dirty. I haven't had a chance to get to them been working so much. I might try to knock that off the list today.

[Larry D.]

Pics! I'm trying to remember the Czech camo pattern/look. Always like to see examples. Do you just air dry the pouches?


firstchoice

Yessir. It doesn't take long in Arizona. However, I don't put them in direct sunlight. I have a screened in front porch where my drying takes place.
The pattern looks a lot like our (U.S.) woodland pattern to me.

[hoopharted]

Didn't know where to put this but I'm wondering if I can gently wash old military mag pouches, bags etc...? I have some that are canvas or like canvas material that are rather dirty. I'm wondering if I can throw on gentle cycle and wash without tearing off shoulder strap or damaging anything else?

for what its worth , i wash my ball caps in the dishwasher, mainly because it keeps the shape of the bill , done so for decades with no damage , it is important to TURN OFF THE DRY CYCLE and let air dry like on a clothes line, or hang out on the porch , i do use the DW soap on my work hats , but if you try it i might try it first with no detergent so you do not bleach any stamps/markings , i would think the jets may be sufficient , but gentle cycle may be fine in a washing machine

[BishopofBling]

How do you guys prevent the wood tabs on the Chinese pouches from getting soaked in soapy water? Do you put painters tape on them or something?

[Larry D.]

How do you guys prevent the wood tabs on the Chinese pouches from getting soaked in soapy water? Do you put painters tape on them or something?

I don't even try to shield them from water. You could shellac or lacquer them first, I suppose, but I always just sorta figured that they've already seen plenty of water along with oils and such as being sufficient to form it's own barrier to water.
I wouldn't think it's something to be concerned about.

[firstchoice]

How do you guys prevent the wood tabs on the Chinese pouches from getting soaked in soapy water? Do you put painters tape on them or something?

I don't even try to shield them from water. You could shellac or lacquer them first, I suppose, but I always just sorta figured that they've already seen plenty of water along with oils and such as being sufficient to form it's own barrier to water.
I wouldn't think it's something to be concerned about.

Yeah, you'd think if they were designed for jungle/wet use, they'd probably hold up okay for washing. I don't see any real danger getting them wet.

firstchoice