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Post-Festival Washing
Anyone who’s ever been to a festival knows how mucky things can get after five days of camping. Instead of dreading the aftermath, take a look at these top tips from AO.com’s expert, Gwil Snook. He says:
“Whether attending Glastonbury or any other festivals this summer, there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to washing your stuff. Follow this simple advice to ease any washing worries.”
Dealing with mud and marks
Even in sunny weather, mud is unavoidable at a festival. Luckily, washing machines can make quick work of tricky marks. Mud will come out of washable fabrics using detergent at temperatures like 40°C. For more stubborn marks, soaking in a stain removal product before washing could work a treat.
Spruce up your shoes
Your shoes tend to accumulate muck faster than any other piece of clothing. When washing canvas shoes or trainers in the machine, remove the laces and pop them in a pillowcase. Pick a cold wash (20°C) and let them air dry when the cycle’s finished. For any difficult bits, an old toothbrush works wonders to scrub every nook and cranny.
Spotless Sleeping bags
Did you know that sleeping bags can be put in the washing machine? First thing’s first, follow any advice on the care label and be sure to secure all zippers before popping on a gentle cycle at 30°C. Most sleeping bags can also be tumble dried on a low temperature or simply hung outside. Be careful not to use high heats as this can sometimes melt the fabric.
Give your rucksack a good scrub
Save time handwashing by popping your rucksack in the washer too. Make sure all the pockets are emptied and unzipped and wrap your bag in a bed sheet or pillowcase – that’ll save any unnecessary damage. Wash it on a gentle, cold cycle and let it dry naturally. If your rucksack won’t fit in the machine, you could always handwash it in the bath so it’s ready for next year.
For the allergy-conscious
After spending a few days in a field, your clothes won’t just be covered in mud and grass stains. Banish the nasties you can’t see with an intense wash cycle. That’ll stop pollen from clinging to your summer favourites, so you can keep re-wearing them sniffle-free.
