Cordura Gig Bag Cleaning

[tubatodd]

My Chronkite gig bag, while in nice shape, needed a cleaning. It's had at least 2 owners and I think a cat nested in it while at the repair shop.

I decided to give it a cleaning in the driveway. I brought a small amount of liquid laundry detergent outside in a tiny paper cup. I opened up the bag and gave it a rinsing with the garden hose. then I dribbled some of the detergent on each surface. I didn't scrub the surfaces. I let the water and suds do the work. I soaped up in the inside and the outside and did several rinses before doubling the bag over to squeeze out the water. It is now outside in the 90-100 degree heat, draped over a shower chair. I'll flip it over in a few hours. Hopefully it will be dry by morning. If not, I'll just wait longer. :)

Drying

[TxTx]

If I’d’ve known how much the cordura likes cat hair, and how much our long-haired cats like cordura, I’d’ve splurged on a leather one.

The cats also really like Gator speaker bags.

Eric

[tubatodd]

I had to chase the sun a bit. But I turned the bag inside-out and managed to get it quite dry in a matter of hours.



Right now it's laying open in my music room to make sure it's 100% dry.

Why post this? Well I wondered and searched before about whether anyone has done this. I decided to post this cleaning just to prove that it can be done easily without ruining the bag. I don't know that I would attempt to put it in a washing machine. But using laundry detergent and a hose in your driveway, does a decent job.

[arpthark]

I have one that is covered in the previous owners' dog hair. (The previous owner was not a dog, btw.) I've been considering taking it to a laundromat but it's good to know this is an option.

[tubatodd]

I have one that is covered in the previous owners' dog hair. (The previous owner was not a dog, btw.) I've been considering taking it to a laundromat but it's good to know this is an option.

I'd try and remove as much hair as you can with a lint roller first. But yeah, cleaning appears to be very doable.

I have a Tube Exchange bag that is VERY dirty and has some tears to the stitching. It's been sitting in my garage as I consider if I am going to toss it. Now that I've cleaned the Cronkite bag, I feel motivated to repair the Tuba Exchange bag (I can sew pretty well) and give it an even more thorough cleaning. Having another backup bag would be nice.

[Mary Ann]

I don't have a dryer, so my laundry gets dried on racks under roof. In wetter weather (which is rare here but it happens,) I blow a fan on the racks. Seems like that would also work to dry a bag in more iffy circumstances.

I keep mine in a spare room because of the cat hair problem, but I want to alter one.

I have a Gard bag that is a very tight fit for the baritontuba, and it is poorly designed; it's the bell that has to be crammed way down inside and it would make MUCH more sense for this bag to be a top loader. I could not find any other bag it would go in; the Mphone bags are about four inches too short.

So -- I want to find someone local who can cut the top off this, put on some kind of new fastening system, and make it a top loader. Doesn't need to be "as"protective as it is, because it is SO protective now that I am afraid I'm going to bend the bell just forcing it in and out, although once it's in, the fit is very good.

SO -- what kind of person would be able to do this?

[tubatodd]

So -- I want to find someone local who can cut the top off this, put on some kind of new fastening system, and make it a top loader. Doesn't need to be "as"protective as it is, because it is SO protective now that I am afraid I'm going to bend the bell just forcing it in and out, although once it's in, the fit is very good.

SO -- what kind of person would be able to do this?

The suggestion I kept seeing is "luggage repair shop." But near me there wasn't one. I contacted upholsterers, tailors, and show repair and was denied service.

Finally I contacted a shop near me that sells biker gear. (Tannehill Leather https://tlcwarehouse.com/) They specialize in leather jackets and other custom leather clothing. I called them on the phone and explained the situation and they graciously agreed to do the job. I went into the shop, I showed them what I needed and got it scheduled at a very fair price. They did a great job. I did a thread on it last year. You may try a leather-goods place.