what is the safest way to clean my mk vii?

Mola Ram · Post by **Mola Ram** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 5:48 pm

when i got it there was a slip saying that handwashing is best
but is there anyother way that is just as safe...
mola

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 5:53 pm

My question exactly. Can these be washed in the washing machine? The instructions that came with the bags say not to. But I've heard that some of you guys have washed them in the machine and they came out fine. I don't want to wreck them on the first day!

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 6:14 pm

I've put mine in the washer on gentle cycle with just a small amount of detergent. It came out fine. I've done it on several bags with no problems. However, proceed at your own risk.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 6:30 pm

Different fabric is sometimes used on different bags and I have heard of one original bag shrinking. If you use low temp I don't think you'll have anything to worry about though. I think the no machine washing actually has to do with the water resistant stuff orignally put on these bags.

Swindy

Indiana Joe · Post by **Indiana Joe** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 5:49 am

Swindiana wrote:I think the no machine washing actually has to do with the water resistant stuff orignally put on these bags.

My thoughts too. I mean, let's face it---these things were made for war.
I like ITG's suggestion to at least use a gentle cycle since they are 60 years old.

I.J.

zohar · Post by **zohar** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 7:46 am

I hung mine out on the rail of my porch for a week when there was a lot of rain. Looks and smells great now.

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 8:06 am

Toss it in the dryer and then let it air dry. Works great. BYW Can we get some pics of your bag? I might wanna order another.

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 8:51 am

Well, I took the plunge and washed both bags in the washing machine with cold water.

They came out a lot cleaner...but...the stamps on the inside of the flaps washed away.

Each bag is a little different. One WAS a W&G and the other said something like "Whiteley". Both 1942. But now they're just clean.

So, if you're going to wash your bags, at least take a picture of the stamps.

Pfui!

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 9:11 am

Flash Gordon wrote: They came out a lot cleaner...but...the stamps on the inside of the flaps washed away.

Yes, it all depends on the quality of the ink I guess. You just never know until you've tried washing it unless you are an ink expert. Do we have any here?

Swindy

IndianaJames · Post by **IndianaJames** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 1:34 pm

I would never recommend putting it in the washing machine, I did that recently, and it ripped a hole in it! Plus it can take the stamp away, like in FLASH'S case. His W & G is devalued now because you cant see the stamp!!

I J

Mola Ram · Post by **Mola Ram** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 3:11 pm

sounds like im going to hand wash it. Just to be on the safe side,
cause its probaly the only bag ill ever get(parents). I got my bag from
swindys location. indiana, Here were the pictures of my bag
click here
mola

Post by **Ken** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 4:29 pm

I washed several MKVIIs in washing machine on a color fast cycle at 60 degrees with no problem. Then put them in the dryer. They came out wonderfully soft and all the stamps still intact. I guess its just luck of the draw.

Ken

PS - I have heard of someone using a washing machine and having the bag disintigrate on them so like said before proceed at your own risk.

Paulcrastination · Post by **Paulcrastination** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 5:21 pm

I put a really stained not so good bag in the wash on the hardest hottest setting possible, hoping it would remove more of the discoloration. Turns out the fabric didn't hold up, and the spin cycle permanently damaged the fabric of the bag. The whole thing was compressed, and stress marks formed. Now the bag feels dry and fragile.

Granted this bag was in poor condition to begin with, thats why I was willing to take the risk. I'm sure washing the bag in the machine is just fine, just don't be stupid like me. Still I maintain that every time you wash the bags they get a shade lighter. Even if it is ever so slight. I think it happened with my pretty W&G. Its green, but its light.

Thats all I got.

Paul

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 10:42 pm

I've not had any problems with having the ink stamps disappearing. Sorry to hear that it happened to your bags, Flash.

Henry Jones Sr. · Post by **Henry Jones Sr.** » Sun Sep 14, 2003 6:06 pm

IndianaJames wrote:I would never recommend putting it in the washing machine, I did that recently, and it ripped a hole in it! Plus it can take the stamp away, like in FLASH'S case. His W & G is devalued now because you cant see the stamp!!

Indiana Texas-girl wrote:I've not had any problems with having the ink stamps disappearing. Sorry to hear that it happened to your bags, Flash.

I'm in the same boat with ITG. I've had no fading of the stamps. Ken is right on that one:

Indiana Ken wrote:I guess its just luck of the draw.... PS - I have heard of someone using a washing machine and having the bag disintigrate on them so like said before proceed at your own risk....

As for the devaluation: if the original canvas straps have been cut off and replaced with a leather bag strap and buckle, a WWII surplus collector would say that the bag was devalued, too, even if the leather strap and buckle cost 10 times the price of the original canvas. I guess it just depends on what you've purchased the bag for in the first place.

I mean, I'm all for maintaining true "vintage" gear in as pristine a condition as possible (and I mean no disrespect against those who might further distress such items...), but if you want an Indy Mark VII, you need to either buy a WPG replica, or plunk down the money for an original surplus bag and a leather strap and buckle. If you do the latter, you'll need to remove the original canvas strap (I felt so bad about this the first time I did this, I still have the canvas strap!). If you go this route (as many of us have), from a purist's point of view, the original, as-manufactured strap has been removed, devaluing the bag. But then, as we've pointed out so many times before, the Mark VII bag isn't even chronologically accurate to the movies. The Mark VII was never field-issued with a leather strap/buckle, either. The bag was chosen by the costuming powers-that-were for looks (and probably durability, too).

No tirades should be implied here whatsoever...please! I am sure, however, that other similar collector-vs.-Indy parallels could be drawn with other forms of gear.... Perhaps a vintage brown fedora, which would look truly "Indy" if the original ribbon (too narrow, wide, or the wrong color) was cut off and replaced with something a bit more screen accurate, or the original vintage black lining removed and replaced with white. Just a hypothetical...maybe not a great one. Again, my response is not meant to inflame, just present another view. Anyway, enough said.

Regards,

Henry Jones, Sr.

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Sun Sep 14, 2003 6:08 pm

What about using something like OxyClean? Has anyone tried the old vat of water with oxyclean handwash?

I don't personally own a bag, nor have I ever used Oxi Clean...but it works in the infomercials

Henry Jones Sr. · Post by **Henry Jones Sr.** » Sun Sep 14, 2003 6:30 pm

One of the last times (of several) that this has been discussed, this is what we came up with:

http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic ... ght=stench

Regards,

Henry Jones, Sr.

Mola Ram · Post by **Mola Ram** » Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:21 pm

well i just gave my bag a good hand wash and I am letting it air dry.
What can i do if it smells a lot still?
mola

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Sun Sep 14, 2003 9:01 pm

Get some Febreze spray to neutralize the smell.

IndianaJames · Post by **IndianaJames** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:26 am

Henry JOnes Sr.

What I meant by devalued, is that W & G (waring and gilbow I think) bags were rumored to be the same make in the movies, so if FLASH no longer has that stamp on the bag, and ever wanted to sell it, the bag would go for alot less. I guess if he keeps it, it doesnt matter. And actually the bags arent worth that much to anyone except indyfans, so actually removin the original strap, and adding the leather one, increases the value!!

Just my two cents!

I J