How To Clean Your Alien Gear Holster
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Cleaning Your Concealed Carry Holster...If You Bought One From Alien Gear Holsters
Occasionally you might have to clean your concealed carry holster. Occasionally you want to clean your gun, you might want to or have to clean your holster too.
We can't speak to other brands, but we can definitely tell you about how to clean and maintain made by Alien Gear Holsters. Well...you can probably do the math if you need to; some of our holsters do bear some resemblance to some competing products.
So, let's break down when you want to clean your holster, and the different procedures for our different designs.
When Should You Clean Your Gun Holster
Basically, you should clean your gun holster if it's covered with schmutz or it's starting to stink.
We don't have a pretty way to put this. If you take your and you get a whiff of the funk of 40,000 years...it's time to clean it.
It seems terribly obvious, but we might as well mention it anyway. So, how do you do that once it's time to do so?
Cleaning Your IWB Holster With Our Multilayer Holster Base
Alien Gear Holsters designs IWB holsters and OWB holsters with a multilayer holster base, with a neoprene backing layer, a spring steel core and bound edges for carrying in comfort.
This includes the ShapeShift 4.0 IWB holster, ShapeShift Appendix Carry Holster, Cloak Tuck 3.5 IWB, Cloak Tuck 3.0 IWB for revolvers, the ShapeShift Belt Slide OWB and the Cloak Belt Holster OWB holster.
These holsters are very easy to clean and maintain. Here's how you do it:
- Remove the shell by undocking the Shift shell or loosening the bolts of the Cloak shell.
- Remove the belt clips.
- Hand-wash the holster base with a small amount of a mild, scent-free soap and water. Dish soap works pretty well, but you could use a mild fabric detergent or other soap if needed.
- Rub water into the holster base until no more suds appear; wash until the water runs clear.
- Set the holster base out to dry for a few hours; overnight is best.
- Reassemble and use as normal.
The holster shell and holster top surface can be simply wiped down with a damp cloth and then wiped dry. It's okay to use some sort of wipe if so desired, but we just recommend wiping them down with a damp cloth or paper towel if possible.
That's it! Just do it as needed. You could clean it every month or so if you wanted, but you don't necessarily have to.
This procedure also applies to the and the holster and magazine carrier base pads on our Shoulder Holster.
How To Clean The Cloak Mod OWB Holster And ShapeShift Paddle Holster
The Cloak Mod OWB and ShapeShift Paddle Holster OWB are even easier.
If necessary, remove the shell from the Cloak Mod or disassemble the ShapeShift Paddle Holster. Wipe down with a damp cloth or paper towel as necessary, wipe dry.
This is also the general procedure for any ShapeShift expansions that use the full shell, or Cloak Tuck expansions that use the Cloak Mod. This includes the Backpack and MOLLE holster adapters, the Driver Defense Car Holster mount, and our Drop Leg Holster platform.
Maybe use a can of compressed air.
Cleaning Leather Holsters
If you need to clean one of the leather hybrid holsters by Alien Gear Holsters, including our Shoulder Holster, Cloak Tuck IWB or Cloak Slide OWB, you need to remove the holster shell as normal. Just as with our products of other design, you'll want to clean it when you've noticed accumulated sweat, detritus or if it starts to stink.
To clean the leather, you want to use one of a couple of different things:
- A mixture of a mild soap and water
- Saddle soap
The former will clean the leather to be sure, so will the latter. However, saddle soap ALSO includes some conditioning compounds - usually like beeswax or various oils - that will condition and nourish leather as well as clean it. Therefore, use saddle soap if you can help it.
The procedure is the same - simply hand wash, rinse and wipe clean, and let dry, and it's best if left at least overnight.
It's pretty simple, really.
Take care of your gear, it'll take care of you.