Camouflage Netting Cleaning?

[Flying10uk]

How does one go about cleaning a a full-size nylon camouflage net, please? Does one "shove it all" in the washing machine and hope that it doesn't get entangled in the drum spinning at 900 rpm and wreck the machine? Does one carefully string it out in the garden and hope that the rain will wash it clean, only to find that a long dry spell begins the moment the netting is put outside and as a result of the netting being outside for so long it gets covered in bird droppings? Or does one attempt to wash it by way of a garden hose pipe?

Many thanks for any thoughts on how to clean a camouflage net.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Singer B]

Just wondering why it needs to be washed? The dirtier the netting, the more natural looking and effective it is as camouflage.

[ssgross]

well. the netting set up at museum displays aren't all caked in mud. If you are going to display or store it and don't want it filthy, I would spread it out on a clean driveway, spray it with soap from a pressure washer soap nozzle, and then rinse with a garden hose (pressure washer may damage it), and let it air dry.

[Gil Boyd]

First obvious question size and colour? If its manageable and you have the space, open it right out and leave it in your garden for the next month, you'll be surprised at the result.
The Arctic ones are the hardest to bring back if covered in oil and grime.

[browningautorifle]

The Arctic ones

We preferred cast off parachutes. The actual nets were too much bother. Yes, as the guys say...just stretch it out and let it weather a bit. Will also take the rank mildew resistant treatment smell off hopefully. Used to give me a headache...

[Gil Boyd]

Yes Jim forgot about those headaches. The amount of times I had to tell units they had the nets upside down.............they didn't even realise there was a right and a wrong way!!

[Ovidio]

I just remember how heavy they were... Those for the big tents were friggin' lead!

[Gil Boyd]

Worse when wet!

[Ovidio]

During Strong Resolve '95 I had my good share of wet, big camo nets. I had them lent by the US Army. When I got them from the warehouse, they were heavy. Three weeks later, when I brought them back, completely wet, they were murderous to move around.

[browningautorifle]

We would hang them from the roof truss' of the transport hanger with a pitman arm and carabiners...over the weekend. Dried them nicely.