Summer camping trips mean wet gear: how to protect your washer

July and August mean camping season across the Lower Mainland, and that means your washing machine is about to face a real workout. Wet tents, sandy sleeping bags, muddy hiking gear, and damp clothes create a perfect storm for washer strain—especially in Port Moody's humid summer climate.

Pre-wash your camping gear

Before that tent or sleeping bag sees your washer, give it a thorough rinse outdoors with the garden hose. Shake out loose dirt, sand, and debris. This single step cuts the load your machine has to handle by half. Sand and silt are abrasive; they wear pump seals, scratch drum surfaces, and clog inlet valves. A five-minute rinse saves your machine weeks of wear.

Choose the right cycle for technical fabrics

Camping gear isn't like everyday cotton. Tents, sleeping bags, and waterproof jackets need gentler treatment. Run a delicate or synthetic cycle instead of heavy-duty—even if the fabric looks tough. Heavy-duty cycles run longer, spin faster, and put real stress on the drum seal and bearing. In summer heat, when your washer is already working overtime, aggressive cycles can cause premature failure. Check the gear's care tag first; most modern camping equipment specifies a gentle wash.

Clean your filter weekly

During camping season, your washer's filter fills up fast. Sand, lint, and fibres from technical fabrics clog it quicker than your machine normally would. A blocked filter forces water to back up, slows drainage, and leaves wet clothes at the end of the cycle. Set a reminder to check and empty your filter every week in July and August. It takes two minutes and prevents a $300+ pump repair.

Don't overload the drum

Wet camping gear is heavy—much heavier than dry laundry. A sleeping bag or tent that feels manageable can easily exceed your machine's weight limit once soaked. Overloading prevents proper rinsing, strains the drum bearing, and forces the spin cycle to work harder. In Port Moody's humidity, clothes dry slowly anyway; running two smaller loads is faster and safer than cramming everything in once.

Wipe the door seal after each load

Metro Vancouver's summer humidity is no joke. Even in July, moisture lingers in your laundry room. After washing camping gear, wipe the rubber door seal with a dry cloth. Wet camping fabrics release extra moisture into the drum; that moisture gets trapped in the seal and breeds mildew. A quick wipe takes thirty seconds and keeps your machine smelling fresh and your next load from inheriting that musty odour.

Watch for standing water

If water pools at the bottom of your tub after a cycle, your filter or drain hose is likely clogged with debris. Don't ignore this—standing water attracts bacteria and damages the drum seal. Empty the filter, rinse the drain hose (if accessible), and run a short empty cycle to flush the system. If water still pools, your machine needs professional attention before the next load.

Camping season is wonderful for families and friends across the Lower Mainland, but it's tough on washers. A little prep and weekly maintenance now means your machine will handle August without breaking down mid-trip.