Camping Gear Care & Cleaning Instructions | Coleman

Care and Cleaning of Coleman® Lanterns

A cleaner Coleman™ lantern works better and looks better. The benefits of regular cleanings include better fuel efficiency, flame control and no rust or corrosion.

Although there isn't a set schedule for cleaning your lantern, you should clean it whenever it is dirty before storing your lantern at the end of camping season. Under most conditions, lanterns can be wiped out with warm water and dishwashing soap and then dried before storing. After cleaning, proper storage of your Coleman® lantern is also important. Put it into a plastic bag, sealing with a twist tie to prevent spiders or other insects from crawling in the unit, which can block the fuel and airflow.

With a liquid fuel lantern, transfer as much fuel as possible out of the fuel tank and back into the fuel can to prevent a lacquer buildup on the tank's fuel tube. Keep in mind that storing a liquid fuel appliance with fuel in the tank can eventually cause a buildup on the fuel tube, which restricts fuel flow to the generator and burner.

When it's time to take out your lantern, remember to oil the pump cup on the tank's pump plunger at least twice a year with a light machine oil. This allows the cup to seal against the inside of the pump barrel and insures the pump will work smoothly and push air into the tank properly.

Care and Cleaning of Coleman® Stoves

A cleaner Coleman® stove works better and looks better. The benefits of regular cleanings include better fuel efficiency, flame control and no rust or corrosion. Although there isn't a set schedule for cleaning your stove, you should clean it whenever it is dirty or after a boil-over that causes buildup in the burners. Annual cleanings are recommended before storing your stove at the end of camping season

Under most conditions, stoves can be wiped out with warm water and dishwashing soap and then dried before storing. For a deeper cleaning, here are a few suggestions:

If there has been a boil-over, remove the screw from the center of each burner and lift off the burner rings and bowl to check the manifold for fluid or food debris. If there is a build-up, clean it with dishwashing soap and warm water before rinsing with clean water.
If the stove has a massive amount of grease and dirt build-up inside the case, on the grill or burners, you can take the stove to a car wash and use a high-pressure hose on it. Don't use any type of tire, oven or engine cleaner because it can damage the paint on the inside of the case and the metal of the grate and manifold.
If a stove has been cleaned with any type of water hose, turn the stove upside down to ensure all the water is removed from inside the manifold. Any water left inside the manifold can cause it to rust and disturb the flow of fuel to the burner, preventing the stove from burning properly.

After cleaning, proper storage of your Coleman® stove is also important. Put it into a plastic bag, sealing with a twist tie to prevent spiders or other insects from crawling in the unit, which can block the fuel and airflow.

With a liquid fuel stove, transfer as much fuel as possible out of the fuel tank and back into the fuel can to prevent a lacquer buildup on the tank's fuel tube. Keep in mind that storing a liquid fuel appliance with fuel in the tank can eventually cause a buildup on the fuel tube, which restricts fuel flow to the generator and burner.

When it's time to take out your stove, remember to oil the pump cup on the tank's pump plunger at least twice a year with a light machine oil. This allows the cup to seal against the inside of the pump barrel and insures the pump will work smoothly and push air into the tank properly.

Care and Cleaning of Coleman® Coolers

Clean both the inside and outside with a solution of mild soap and warm water.
If the product has a faucet, be sure to rinse with hot soapy water and drain completely.
Use baking soda and water to remove tough stains.
Remove odors with a diluted solution of chlorine bleach and water. If odor persists, wipe interior with a cloth saturated with vanilla extract, then leave in cloth in cooler overnight.
Always air dry with the lid open before storing.

For more in depth use and cleaning considerations, please view the Coleman Coolers Use and Cleaning Guide

Care and Cleaning of Coleman® Sleeping Bags

Proper care of your sleeping bag will keep it looking better and lasting longer. Follow these simple suggestions to care for your Coleman® sleeping bag during the years to come. Dry cleaning is NOT recommended.

Sleeping Bag Washing Instructions

Use only oversized commercial front loading washing machine with a rotating drum action - DO NOT use top loading agitator style machines.
Wash warm, rinse cold on gentle cycle using ¼ mild detergent.
Use a fabric softener in wash. (Do not use detergents with bleach.)
Tumble dry at low temperature in oversized commercial dryer.
Alternate method: hand wash in bathtub, in warm water with a mild detergent. Rinse cold.
Bag must be thoroughly dry before being stored.

Rolling the Sleeping Bag

Zip up sleeping bag.
Fold in half, lengthwise.
If applicable, fasten toggle and loop to ensure bag stays in folded position.
Start rolling snuggly from opposite end of ties, loops or straps (whichever applicable). Have ties lying directly on the ground.
After rolling bag completely, secure ties, loops or straps. If bag has Wrap 'N Roll feature, continue rolling into attached carrier, tie and transport.

Storing the Sleeping Bag

For longtime storage, it is not recommended to store sleeping bags in its stuff sack or carrier, since it can reduce the loft, or puffiness, of the bag over time.