I met my husband while backpacking and over a decade later we still have the same trusty backpacks.

They have survived dozens of trips, but seem to struggle with the humidity that comes with living in a climate like Singapore. We hadn’t used them for about six months and when I went to pull them out for a recent vacation, I found all kinds of mildew, which is pretty nasty stuff that corrodes fabric if you don’t catch it in time.

I started to do some research online and most people said to use bleach which is a staple in most households, making it an easy go-to. Yes, it can keep clothes white and it can remove mould and mildew from your shower while disinfecting. However, it also packs a lot of negatives. The most obvious danger of chlorine bleach is printed clearly on the label. It is extremely corrosive and can irritate your eyes, skin and respiratory tract just by simply inhaling it. I’m not talking about sticking your nose in the bottle, just inhaling the fumes that are emitted when you are using it is enough to do some serious damage.

It was found to deteriorate the lungs and esophagus lining. Negative impacts won’t be felt at first, but they can have serious implications from prolonged use over time. In addition, it will discolour the fabric of your gear, which is not a good result.

So I started my search for a natural, chemical-free solution. I tried a few different combinations but found this one to be the most effective. After two months, the mildew hasn’t returned. You can use this method on any fabric that can handle a good scrub and that can be well rinsed. I’ve used it on tents, backpacks, camping chairs, and outdoor cushions and so far with great results.

The first thing you need to do is kill the mildew by rubbing it with a stiff brush and laying it in the sun for an afternoon. After your gear has baked in the hot sun for a few hours, squeeze lots of lemon juice on the mildew and sprinkle some regular table salt on top. Then scrub with the stiff brush. I usually do this in the shower or bathtub so I can rinse it in the same spot. You can also take this opportunity to give it a good overall clean. Scrub the entire bag with soapy water. As a side tip, I use a plant-based dish soap.

That’s it! Some lemons, regular table salt and a stiff brush. Happy hiking!

_{This post was originally published on My Pure Earth Blog and has been reposted on Executive Lifestyle with the permission of the author.
Edited by Nedda Chaplin
Image credit: Hiking team. travel sport lifestyle concept from Shutterstock}

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