Spring cleaning is a good habit to practice. As the world refreshes itself, so are we called upon to refresh our homes. It’s a good reminder to practice regular tactical gear maintenance.
The ethos of preparation demands that we ensure that our gear will be fully capable and ready when needed. Your firearms should be cleaned after use, for example. Otherwise they may cease to function properly at a moment when your life depends on them. Think about that!
Spring cleaning tactical gear? Absolutely a good idea! And definitely not something you should only reserve for the spring season.
TACTICAL GEAR INSPECTION TIPS
Before cleaning tactical accessories, you’ll want to examine them closely to better assess what you’ll need to take care of. Check the level of wear and tear. Look for signs of damage and reduced functionality. If the gear can be tested, do a few tests to determine whether it’s working as it should—and if it isn’t, then try to figure out what’s causing issues.
Inspect tactical clothing, boots, backpacks and range bags carefully. Examine the fabric and other materials for deep creases, faults, tears, mold, stains, patchiness and loose threads. Is the stitching still good, or worn out? Can the product still be classified as durable?
In some cases, you may need to have the item repaired or patched—in the latter case, you can place a tactical patch on the area to conceal the fix.
REPLACING WORN-OUT PARTS
After examining the item’s material, check the parts for other signs of disrepair. These may include frayed cords, weakened straps, dysfunctional zippers, missing buttons, misaligned snaps and worn-down Velcro. Parts can be replaced, although sometimes you have to contact the manufacturer to get an exact replacement. It’s definitely worth a shot if you’ve invested in a quality tactical product.
When checking straps, be on the lookout for fraying and tearing. Also take note of overstretching—have the straps lost a lot of their elasticity? Do the straps feel too loose, unable to secure your belongings properly? Examine the buckles and snaps as well. Do they still function as they should? Metal buckles may show signs of rust, or can have dents and scratches that impede their proper usage.
Zippers should open and close cleanly. If a zipper is sticking, or if you see misaligned teeth, that’s a sure sign of a defective part. It should be replaced right away, as a bad zipper compromises the safe storage of your belongings. Dirt and moisture could get into your tactical backpack.
Velcro (aka hook and loop fasteners) should maintain good “stickiness” without getting impossibly stuck. These types of fasteners often come in the form of strips. We suggest that you take a close look at these strips. If you notice fraying edges, that’s a sure indication the fasteners are facing a lot of wear and tear. They might hold out a while longer, but you should plan on replacing them sooner rather than later.
TACTICAL BAG CLEANING TIPS
Your tactical backpack is your trusty companion. It’s gonna be with you through thick and thin, on countless trails and checkered travels. Better take good care of your adventure buddy! Give that bag a thorough cleaning after every hardy outdoor adventure.
If the backpack isn’t too filthy, you can clean it with a soft-bristle brush and a bit of effort. It’s just a matter of scraping off dirt and debris—while taking care not to do it roughly enough to cause damage. Once you’re satisfied that you’ve done a good job of tactical bag cleaning, grab a cloth and apply a cleaning solution to it. Wipe down the backpack until it’s fully dirt free.
By the way, the cleaning solution can be something you make yourself. A DIY enzymatic cleaner can be concocted using citrus fruit peels, water and yeast. You can also purchase an enzymatic stain remover, if you prefer. Specialized products formulated to clean outdoor adventure gear can be found online—or at your local camping store.
For a more detailed guide on tactical bag cleaning and 14er Tactical gear care, check out these guides on the 14er Tactical Resources Blog:
- Ultimate Guide to Maintaining and Cleaning Your Range Bag
- Keeping Your 14er Tactical Products in Top Condition
TACTICAL LOADOUT REFRESH FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE
The next step after spring cleaning tactical gear is working on refreshing your loadout for better efficiency. What folks consider to be “loadout” can vary, but in general it refers to anything that you’ll make use of in a tactical scenario. Think of the “gearing up” montage you see in many an action movie—that’s a good demonstration of what a tactical loadout includes.
Basically, that would be mission-ready gear! Which can include firearms and ammo, firearm accessories, handheld weapons (typically a combat knife), multi-tools and other survival gear, an individual first aid kit (IFAK), tactical clothing and communication devices. If you’re actively training—going to the shooting range or rehearsing your personal survival plan—your gear is gonna see a lot of use. So you’d better refresh or replenish items on a regular basis.
Most of these loadout items are naturally replaced after use—ammunition, batteries, and medical supplies, for example. But some things might not come to mind all that often. Consider your tactical clothing and accessories. They’re meant to be durable, of course, but you’ll still want to refresh them after some time. Perhaps on an annual basis. Be sure to maintain a gear upgrade checklist.
MAINTAINING TACTICAL GEAR READINESS
The thought of tactical gear maintenance may initially be a pain. But it will soon become second nature to you as you incorporate it into your routine. It’s a necessary part of the tactical lifestyle. Preparedness is the name of the game. And how prepared can you be if your mission-ready gear isn’t actually ready to deploy?
But how often should you clean your gear? That really depends on how much use they’re seeing. We certainly recommend cleaning gear after an outdoor adventure trip or any event that exposes them to rough environmental conditions. Outside of those circumstances, you should set aside time for cleaning and maintenance tasks every two weeks, at the very least.
Tactical gear storage is also an important aspect of maintenance. There’s not much point to cleaning tactical accessories if you’re only going to leave them someplace where they can get dirty or damaged. Be sure to prepare a storage space that is cool and dry, and not exposed to direct sunlight, dust or moisture.
Here are a few more articles from the 14er Tactical Resources Blog which offer additional tips:
