I washed my Domkes

[rover]

I was bored, and it seemed like such a good idea.

Took out the inserts, and in went the F2 (new arrival, it was stiff and that is really why I washed the crew), F3x, 5xb, F6 and 803.

Don't wash your sand and black bags together.

When they dry I suspect mine will be comfortably weathered, the way they should be.

[michaelging]

I have always thrown mine in the washer,and never had a problem with them. I also coat mine with canvas waterproofing spray (made by Kiwi,used on tents and boots) when I get the bag. I do several coats,as I travel in Asia and Eurpope where it rains a lot. I recoat them again after washing them ,to keep them waterproof. They are great bags that just keep looking better, and better the more they age, till you wear a hole in them.

[rover]

My F6 is pretty well broken in, the 803 too. I just got the F2 and it is STIFF, thick canvas.

[peter_n]

Yes I have washed all mine too. The new F-2s I have seen in the stores do seem to be a bit on the stiff side. Mine is 16 years old and is not stiff any more but the canvas is really thick. I do the same as Michael; I use Nikwax and apply about three coats. Works well. :)

[Pablito]

yup. wash 'em when dey get ditty.

[vrgard]

I was bored, and it seemed like such a good idea.

Took out the inserts, and in went the F2 (new arrival, it was stiff and that is really why I washed the crew), F3x, 5xb, F6 and 803.

Don't wash your sand and black bags together.

When they dry I suspect mine will be comfortably weathered, the way they should be.

How did the F-5XB turn out after you washed it? I did not wash mine because there is a sewn in floor panel that I fear is cardboard. Maybe I shouldn't have been concerned. Can you enlighten me on this?

Thanks,
Randy

[Trius]

I haven't washed mine yet; the F6 is soft enough but not nearly dirty enough to need a wash. I'm talkin' about "eight-year-old boy 'I ain't dirty mom!' type of 'not dirty enough'".

Anyway, Domke/Tiffen states the canvas bags are treated with water repellent during manufacture, so I don't bother with any other application, but I may need to do so after washing. Hmmmm, think I'll e-mail Tiffen support and see what they say.

[kshapero]

I am assuming that you air dry them.

[back alley]

How did the F-5XB turn out after you washed it? I did not wash mine because there is a sewn in floor panel that I fear is cardboard. Maybe I shouldn't have been concerned. Can you enlighten me on this?

Thanks,
Randy

i washed one of mine and it seems fine.
a bonus side benefit is that velcro is a bit quieter.

joe

[vrgard]

Thanks, Joe. So the solid bottom didn't get out of shape or anything? Interestinng. Maybe it isn't heavy cardboard as I had presumed.

-Randy

[Rodinal Addict]

Yea, that's my concern on my 803, the stiffner under the top carrying handle. Is that cardboard that can come apart??

Robin

[rover]

How did the F-5XB turn out after you washed it? I did not wash mine because there is a sewn in floor panel that I fear is cardboard. Maybe I shouldn't have been concerned. Can you enlighten me on this?

Thanks,
Randy

No problem, the floor is as solid as ever.

[rover]

I am assuming that you air dry them.

One run through the dryer, air only no heat, and then just letting them sit out to finish drying.

[rover]

Yea, that's my concern on my 803, the stiffner under the top carrying handle. Is that cardboard that can come apart??

Robin

The 803 is fine too. That is a stiff board, I don't think it is paper.

[mwooten]

Yea, that's my concern on my 803, the stiffner under the top carrying handle. Is that cardboard that can come apart??

Robin

It's plastic -- at least in mine it was. I took an X-acto knife, cut a slit in the underside of one end, and removed the board. The bag fits a bit closer to my body now.

I have one of the little 5 bags that I think I'll leave outside in the summer sun for a few weeks to get the "new" out of it.

Michael

[Ken Ford]

This is good news about the 5. I called Domke after I got mine to ask the question about washing, and the gentleman there thought it was a paper-based bottom. I'll give mine a wash now - it's awfully stiff and new.

My other Domkes have broken in wonderfully over the years!

[peter_n]

I am assuming that you air dry them.I put mine in the drier. It's a bit noisy but I make sure my wife isn't around when I dry them.

[sepiareverb]

Well this should be the fix for my 803- still stiff as the dickens...

So do they shrink?

[michaelging]

I washed mine in woolite in cold water and let it air dry. No it did not shrink.

[kshapero]

I washed mine in the washing machine with other stuff on cold. Hang it up outside for the day. Now it has character.

see: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37002&d=1164850460

[sepiareverb]

Ah to be able to air dry in Phoenix... Here air dry takes a little longer!

Thanks michaelging- I will wash it tomorrow, weather willing.

A Florida air dry is more like I'll get here- that can work.

[John Camp]

I washed my Domkes. I was bored, and it seemed like such a good idea.

Oh. My. God. You should see a counselor immediately.

[erikhaugsby]

I washed mine (an 803) through a torrential downpour in the Cinque Terre (Italy). My M2 and two lenses were inside; no water got through any of the bag, and even a magazine stashed in the rear (and uncovered) pouch stayed remarkably dry.

[peter_n]

So do they shrink?No they don't.

[amateriat]

Talk about feeling like the Great Unwashed: in the four-plus years I've owned it, my 803 has never been through the washer. Of course, the first six months I owned it, it went on my shoulder and out the door virtually every day, rain or shine; break-in time was fairly quick.


- Barrett

[austinwft]

I haven't washed mine yet; the F6 is soft enough but not nearly dirty enough to need a wash. I'm talkin' about "eight-year-old boy 'I ain't dirty mom!' type of 'not dirty enough'".

Anyway, Domke/Tiffen states the canvas bags are treated with water repellent during manufacture, so I don't bother with any other application, but I may need to do so after washing. Hmmmm, think I'll e-mail Tiffen support and see what they say.

Having the same concerns I purchased the following Nikwax products just for washing my Domke bags and am very pleased.


http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/product.asp/Store/MG/item/415011/level3_id/0/level1_id/0/level2_id/0/N/0

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/product.asp/item/415038/N/0/cmpn/979100/CMP/KNC-979100

[rover]

So do they shrink?
You know, they are like a pair of jeans. They snugged up a little, but with use they are coming back softer than before.

[peter_n]

I use Nikwax too, but I use their TX.Direct spray-on for waterproofing. Very effective.

[sepiareverb]

Talk about feeling like the Great Unwashed: in the four-plus years I've owned it, my 803 has never been through the washer. Of course, the first six months I owned it, it went on my shoulder and out the door virtually every day, rain or shine; break-in time was fairly quick.


- Barrett

It seems that Domke may change the canvas they use pretty often- both my other bags did break in quickly and easily- the 803 has just not wanted to soften up on it's own. Like you Barrett I carried it every day for a long while, but still it seems like that 'new pair of jeans' (nice analogy rover!) whatever I throw at it- downpours and snowstorms be damned. I guess I should be happy (and I am) that these are durable, but comfy and durable need not be two different animals- my F2 is eonough proof of that!

The bag missed it's bath this morning- too much laundry the kids needed done before their trip, so it will need to be the weekend if the weatherman is right.