10 Quick Camping Cooler Maintenance Tips

These simple camping cooler maintenance ideas will help to keep your ice chest looking newer longer.

Camping Cooler Maintenance

1. To clean your cooler, drain the water and wipe it down. Allow it to air dry by removing the lid. If the cooler has a hinged lid, prop the lid open in such a way that it will remain open even if it's bumped. Keep it safe, small children and pets like to play and jump inside empty boxes and cooler lids can close easily behind them. The further the ice chest is away from them the better.

2. Sunlight will help to dry the inside and can also help to freshen it a little by exposing microbes briefly to the ultraviolet light.

3. If the inside smells a little funky, try wiping it down thoroughly with a small amount of bleach and water. Stains can usually be treated with a little bleach and water too.

4. Once it's completely dry, store your cooler in a dry place with the lid removed or the drain plug removed just in case there's any moisture left. Fuzzy molded gear is not pretty. :-)

6. Avoid submerging coolers, spraying them with pressure washers, or placing them in dishwashers. Water contacting the insulation will cause it to break down, which in turn effects the efficiency of your cooler.

7. If you break or lose a part from your ice chest, contact the maker to see if they sell replacement parts. Depending on the manufacturer they may or may not.

8. Avoid storing coolers in direct sunlight for long periods of time. Plastic can break down if it is exposed to extended periods of UV (ultraviolet) light.

9. You will find more tips and ideas on how to get the most out of your camping cooler here.

10. This isn't exactly a camping cooler maintenance tip, but storing what will fit of your camping gear inside your cooler is also a good way to keep it close at hand so you'll remember it for next time.

Find other camping gear or hiking equipment guides, tutorials, reviews, tips and information on the main page.