Packraft Care: How to clean and store your packraft.

You've just gotten back from your first packrafting trip. It was everything you wanted it to be! (Well, we hope it was! Did you use the packrafting trip info from Packrafting Trips NZ!?) And you can't wait until your next one, but you've got this damp, folded packraft sitting in your garage...

We’re here to give you the low-down on how to clean and store your packraft (hint: it's not folded damp!) so, you can have amazing adventures again and again and again and get the most joy out of your packraft.  

Tips for Cleaning Your Packraft.  

It is super important to clean your packraft after every use (or at the end of a trip if you're away for multiple days). This not only prevents the boat from getting moldy, but also stops the spread of things like didymo between rivers.  

Most of the time, your packraft will only need a rinse and a wipe, but it can be cleaned with mild soap if needed (if cleaning with mild soap, make sure you rinse with tap water). 

And make sure you don't let water or any liquids enter the hull - and if they do, make sure you dry the hull out fully before putting your packraft away. 

Cleaning your packraft in 5 steps: 

1. Blow up the packraft (it's so much easier to get everything out this way!) You can shake out any bits that have stowed away or remove them with a low-powered vacuum.  
2. Lean your packraft against something so you can hose it down. You may need to use a cloth to wipe off stubborn mud and dirt or tip out any remaining water. You can also use mild soap (dish soap works well - please don't use detergents containing tough chemicals) for any oil or grime that isn't coming off with only water. Rough cleaning sponges or scourers will damage the raft, so please only use cloths when wiping the surface of the packraft. 
3. Run your hand along the inside of the raft (along the seams) to check that it is clean.  
4. Leave your raft leaning outside in the shade (the direct sun can damage the packraft coating, seams, and valves) and soak up water pooling at the bottom of the packraft inside with a cloth. Rotate as it dries so you're getting an evenly dry raft!  

5. Make sure the pack raft is 100% dry before storing, or it will get moldy and be damaged easily. 

NOTE: Be cautious using high DEET mosquito repellent around your packraft, as it can corrode plastic products and leave marks on the polyether polyurethane used on some packrafts.   

How to Store Your Packraft: 

The beauty of a packraft is that it takes up way less space than a traditional boat! To store, make sure it is left hanging or loosely folded (not in a stuff sack) and out of direct sunlight. 

Always make sure any zips on your packraft are stored flat and not folded. If you fold a zipper for a long time, it can create a permanent kink in the zip and it may not work. 

If the raft is stored somewhere cool and dry with some airflow and kept out of the way so it can't get damaged during day-to-day life, it will be ready for your next adventure.

If it's packed away for a long time, make sure you inflate it and check it over before you head out on an adventure. You wouldn't want to hike for 8-hours only to realise your packraft needs a bit of love before it hits the water! 

Top 5 tips to clean and store your packraft: 

1. Remove any bits of sand and dirt from the packraft using a low-powered vacuum. 

2. Hose your packraft down while leaning it against something. (Use a mild soap, like dishwashing detergent, if you have some gunk that won't come off.)  

3. Let the pack raft air dry out of direct sunlight, rotating as it dries. 

4. Make sure the raft is 100% dry before storing.  

5. Store your raft hanging or loosely folded in a dry space with no direct sunlight - that has airflow. 

For additional information and diagrams, please see the MRS User's Manual or the Alpacka resources, like this video. 

If you found this post useful, be sure to check out this one we think you'll love: Pack Raft Paddle Size Guide NZ – Further Faster