Trekking poles are an indispensable tool for hikers, backpackers, and anyone else who spends a lot of time on the trail. They can be used to help with balance or as a support when you need to take a break. But what do you do after your trek is over? How should you clean them, and how should they be stored so that they are ready for next time? This article will cover how to clean and store your trekking poles so they’re ready for next time.
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How Often Should I Clean My Trekking Poles?
It’s a good idea to clean your poles after every use. Dirt and debris can get into the mechanism that allows them to collapse for easy transport or storage while you’re hiking, which could cause damage. You might not always have access to water on the trail, but if you do, give them a quick rinse and wipe. If you don’t have water available, a quick dusting will do.
What do I Use to Clean My Trekking Poles?
There are a few different options when it comes to cleaning your hiking equipment. You can purchase special cleansers and detergents that will get dirt, grime, and other types of the residue off of them (without hurting the metal or plastic). If you don’t want to spend the extra money on special cleansers, you can use a little bit of dish soap mixed with water.
How to Clean Trekking Poles
To clean your poles, start by removing any dirt and debris from the mechanism. If there is mud or dried water in between the pieces of your pole you can use a wet cloth to gently wipe it away.
Next, open up each section of each pole separately so that they are fully extended. This will give you more room to remove caked-on dirt or mud.
To remove the caked-on grime, use a light scrubbing motion with your Trekking Pole brush and soapy water. For stubborn stains, you can also try using an old toothbrush to get in between all of the pieces.
Rinse off any soap residue after cleaning each section thoroughly. If there are any areas of your poles that have a lot of caked-on dirt or mud, you may want to use an old toothbrush and some baking soda. Just mix the two together into a paste, apply it to the area with the toothbrush, let it rest for five minutes, then rinse away any residue.
Quick Check
After you’ve gone through all of these steps for how to clean trekking poles, give them a final inspection to make sure there are no problems or dirt left behind anywhere. If everything looks good, you can put them back together and enjoy your hike.
How To Store Your Trekking Poles
The first step to storing your poles is deciding how long it’s going to be until you use them again. If you’re going to be using them again in a week or two, it’s fine just to place the sections together loosely so that they are out of the way.
However, if you won’t be using your poles for an extended period of time (a month or longer) then you should do more than just stick them together.
The best way to store your poles is to place each section in a plastic bag and then tie them together with some string or bungee cords.
This prevents any moisture from getting into the mechanisms, which could cause rusting and damage. If you don’t have access to bags or cordage, however, simply placing your poles loosely inside of another piece of equipment (like your backpack) is better than nothing.
Lubricate Your Trekking Poles
There may be a time or two where you’ve used your poles and they didn’t telescope quite as smoothly as they normally do. This is usually caused by dirt, dust, or debris in the mechanisms that make them collapse for easy transport. To fix this problem, all you need to do is give the pieces of each section a little bit of lubricant.
You can use any kind of spray lubricant you like, but make sure it is specifically designed for metal (not plastic). Spray a little bit onto your pole brush and gently scrub each section to apply the lubricant evenly over all surfaces. If there are still some stubborn areas that aren’t working as well as they should be, you can apply a little bit more lubricant to the brush and scrub again.
Note: You need to clean your poles before applying any new lubricant, especially if they’ve been stored for an extended period of time or have started to rust.
Waterproofing Trekking Poles
Some people like to use a waterproofing spray on their poles. This is completely up to you and your preferences. If you do decide to waterproof your poles, it is important that you use a spray designed specifically for them and not just any kind of plastic. This will ensure that the moisture can still escape from inside of the pole if they get wet on the trail.
You should only apply this type of product after cleaning each section thoroughly because applying too much lubricant or waterproofing spray can cause your poles to not extend or collapse properly.
To apply water-resistant lubricant, simply follow the same steps that you would if using regular lubricant. It should be noted that this kind of product is typically more expensive than other types because it’s specifically designed for use with hiking equipment and will last longer before needing to be reapplied.
We’d recommend using a silicone-based spray because they typically hold up better than water-repellent sprays in different weather conditions (namely heavy rains or lots of snow). Make sure that the pole is completely dry after cleaning, then hold it at the bottom of each section and spray them with your waterproofing solution.
FAQ
Q. What can I do if my pole is broken?
A.If you break a section of your trekking poles, the best thing to do would be to contact or visit a store that specializes in selling hiking equipment. They will most likely have replacement sections available and might even offer some type of warranty for their products.
Q: How do I fix my trekking poles if part of them is broken?
A: You can contact or visit a store that specializes in selling hiking equipment. They will probably have replacement parts available for purchase and might even offer some kind of warranty on their products.
Q: What do I use to waterproof my trekking poles?
A: There are many different options when it comes to waterproofing your hiking gear, but you should go with a silicone-based water repellent that is specifically designed for hiking equipment.
Q. What should I do if my poles are rusted?
A. You can use an oil-based lubricant to loosen up any dirt or debris that has started to cause rusting, then apply some steel wool for slightly more abrasive cleaning (if needed). If your hiking poles are still rusted after this, you can try using a wire brush or sandpaper to get the rust off.
You should take your poles in for repair if none of these methods work because they could be too badly damaged and will need to be repaired by professionals who have experience working with them.
Q. How do I store my trekking poles after cleaning them?
A. There are a few different ways you can go about storing your hiking equipment, but the easiest and most effective way is to put each section into a small plastic bag (like sandwich or storage bags) and then tie it together with some string or bungee cords. If you don’t have access to bags or cordage, placing your poles loosely inside of another piece of equipment (like a backpack) is the next best thing.
