BUCKHORN CLIFFSA preparedness field manual

Hygiene and Sanitation · Formula · Book recipe 13.10

Freshen bedding and sleeping pads without washing (vinegar, sun)

Foam pads, sleeping bags, and boots harbor bacteria in places you cannot easily wash with soap and water.

Member articleHandle with careWorks without power

How it works

Mist 1:1 vinegar
Dry soda
Air dry fully
Deodorized

Inside this article

What you'll need
Steps
Warnings
Storage and shelf life

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What is in this article

  • The method at a glance: mist 1:1 vinegar, then dry soda, then air dry fully, then deodorized
  • The exact numbers: foam/pads, boots, method, frequency, before use
  • The full materials list (3 items, with grades and substitutes)
  • The 3-step method, with every measurement in the step
  • The hazard box and the caution notes: what never to mix it with and when to stop
  • Storage and shelf life for the raw compound and the finished mix
  • A printable one-page PDF of this article

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Prefer paper? This is Recipe 13.10, page 86, in Prepper's Chemical Survival Guide.

Questions this answers

Tap a question for the short answer.

How do I sanitize a sleeping pad without washing it?

A light vinegar mist followed by thorough drying in sunlight does the job. The acidity knocks back surface bacteria and the microbes behind the smell, though it freshens between real washes instead of fully disinfecting.

Members get the exact amounts and every step.

Can I spray vinegar on a mattress?

Yes, as long as you mist lightly and never soak the padding. The vinegar cuts surface bacteria and odor, and the mattress has to dry completely afterward because trapped moisture encourages mold and mildew.

Members get the exact amounts and every step.

How do I get the musty smell out of a sleeping bag?

Sunlight and airflow do most of the work, with a light vinegar mist for thicker items to knock back the odor-causing microbes. Storing anything before it is fully dry is what brings the mustiness back.

Members get the exact amounts and every step.

How long should I hang bedding in the sun?

Thin items like sheets and liners need less sun time than foam pads and thick bedding, which should be flipped to treat both sides. The real test is that everything is completely dry before use or storage.

Members get the exact amounts and every step.

How long does a vinegar and water spray last?

The premixed spray has a limited working life, so small fresh batches are the better habit. The vinegar and baking soda themselves keep indefinitely when sealed and stored dry.

Members get the exact amounts and every step.

Keep going

Read nextHygiene and Sanitation When the Water Is OffWhat to do when the water goes off: bucket toilet, hand washing, waste, body, teeth, laundry, dishes, disinfecting, and pests, with the shelf item and recipe page for every job.Hygiene and Sanitation · Guide

Related to this

Hygiene and Sanitation · Formula Mattress, fabric and upholstery freshener (baking soda) How to use baking soda to pull odors and moisture out of mattresses, cushions, sleeping pads and upholstery when washing is not possible. Hygiene and Sanitation · Formula Vinegar deodorant and fabric freshener spray Vinegar's acetic acid kills the bacteria that produce body and fabric odor, making it a practical substitute for commercial deodorants and fabric fresheners when those products are unavailable. Handle with care Hygiene and Sanitation · Formula Deodorize and sanitize shoes without washing A two-step method using a vinegar mist, sun drying, and baking soda to cut odor and bacteria in shoes or boots when washing is not possible. Compounds and Cleaning · Compound Vinegar Shelf life: Indefinite. Storage: Sealed glass or HDPE. INDEFINITEMULTI-USE
Everything in Hygiene and SanitationNever-mix checkerShelf life tableFind a recipe by needWalk-around auditStart here

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Hygiene and Sanitation · FormulaSource: Prepper's Chemical Survival Guide, Recipe 13.10, p. 86 · Last reviewed 2026-09-18

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