Surplus Canvas Bag Question

[LTCSZ]

I enjoy collecting surplus canvas/web military pouches, bags, etc...Does anyone have a suggestion on how to "reshape" a canvas bag? Some of them are so smashed and creased that it is almost impossible to get them back into their original shape...Thanks for any advice!

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[Harlan (Deceased)]

Hi LTCSZ. Welcome to our site!

Do you think it's possible there is dirt or other contaminants that's adding to the permanent creases? Can you post a photo?

I've successfully cleaned and reconditioned some old web gear that came out nice after cleaning it. It's always a gamble though, depending on the condition of the fabric and thread. If the thread is rotted, cleaning it may ruin it. I guess if it's so bad already you can't use it, or it won't display well, you wouldn't be losing a lot anyway. Most military gear from that period was well made, and unless it's rotten it will hold up to gentle washing.

I use Woolite and cold water to soak dirty, or 'hard' smaller items items. If you have a bucket large enough you can put the item in the mixture and let it soak. I've done this and kept the bucket near me while watching TV or something and use a stick or my hands to stir it around every so often. Then after several hours rinse it off well in the bathtub. The cold water and Woolite hasn't removed markings on the items I've cleaned, and sometimes make them more visible when dirt is washed off.

It's a bigger gamble, but on a larger and dirtier item my washing machine has an extremely gentle cycle called "Hand Wash" that has actually worked very well to restore flexibility and clean items. Same as washing in a bucket, use cold water and Woolite. Let air dry when done - don't use the dryer.

[conec]

All good ideas from Harlan. I am wondering if a prudent application of steam might not allow you to de-crease the canvas without resorting to soaking? Just a thought...

[Harlan (Deceased)]

It could be worth a try as a first attempt and sounds like a good idea if the item is small enough. The cause for the 'permanent' creasing might be isolated if it's not also caused partly by dirt, etc.

I'd like to see a photo. Old gear I've seen (in what I pictured in my head) that are pressed out of shape flat, usually spent time on a floor, or some other dirty environment in storage with other gear on top, and a cleaning can help. BUT, as I said above, it can be a gamble if the gear is weak. Trying to steam it might be a good idea.

[gbalke]

I've cleaned many Canadian and British P-37 packs using warm water and a mild soap solution, usually in the bath tub; wash and then rinse, rinsing until all soap has been removed. Hang the pack or bag
to dry. Once they have dried, I'll stuff the packs with crumpled up newspaper, lacing the straps thru the buckles, to give them the proper shape, .

[browningautorifle]

Our web gear was effectively canvas for many years. I used to wash it in the washing machine and then pop the dents out by hand. I air dried it until DRY. It always took correct shape.

[postal]

I agree with the above posters about cleaning with Woolite.....remember, canvas was woven into a specific shape (flat!) and will return to that shape once clean and dry.

That said, I also use Woolite.....any stains or oilmarks can be scrubbed gently with a soft toothbrush and straight Woolite....does a nice job of removing them. The dirt,sweat and salt (amphibious landing or sweat) will wash out.
For pouches, slings and flat stuff I wash it and lay it between two terry towels for the first day to flatten it back out and remove some of the water, then I hang it up with a fan blowing on it for several days.

Amazing how nice it looks and I have never had the original coloring come out. Remember, most of this stuff has been mildew-proofed so you can leave it soak for quite some time and let it take it's own sweet time drying back out.

Note: you can use the toothbrush to gently remove green (verdegris) from the hardware, but some of it will always return....anyone have a way to remove green permanently, I'd like to know!
Good luck!

John