After a long camping trip, there is nothing better than getting your tent out and giving it a good clean… Said no one ever! Whilst it might not be the most exciting way to spend your time, cleaning your tent is an easy way to make your tent last longer, but how do you clean a tent?
You can clean your tent by setting it up and then wiping it down with fragrance-free washing up liquid and water. Rinse the tent with water and then let it dry out fully before packing away.
Read on to find out more details about how to clean your tent, how to avoid mould and some time-saving tips.
Why do I need to clean my tent?
Cleaning your tent is essential maintenance to ensure your tent last as long as possible.
Over time grime and dirt will build up and start to give your tent a bit of a funky smell. You might also start to see unsightly stains in the fabric of your tent and the zips might stop working effectively as there is a build-up of crud.
How often do I need to clean my tent?
The good news here is that you don’t need to clean your tent too often. Your tent should be cleaned every 18 months to 2 years, based on typical use.
The only exception is if your tent ends up getting extra dirty, such as mud from boots or from your four-legged friends shaking off inside the tent. In these circumstances, it is recommended that you clean your tent as soon as you can to avoid staining the fabric or wet dog smell.
How do you clean a tent?
As mentioned earlier, cleaning a tent isn’t too hard. Just make sure you are cleaning your tent on a warm, sunny day!
What you will need
To clean your tent you will need:
- Some water, cold or lukewarm
- Fragrance-free washing up liquid
- A sponge of cloth (don’t use a sponge with an abrasive surface)
- Special outdoor cleaner, such as Nikwax (optional)
Cleaning the tent
- Set up your tent so that you can easily spot any stubborn stains
- Spot clean any stubborn stains with your sponge, some soap and water. Make sure you remove as much of the stain as possible without scrubbing the fabric (to avoid tears)
- Give the tent a general wipe over with the sponge, soap and water (use a specialist cleaner in your water here if you have one)
- Rinse the tent thoroughly with clean water. You can use a hose to do this to save time. Just make sure you don’t put it on a power wash!
- Dry your tent completely. Assuming you have done this on a warm sunny day, you just need to leave your tent up to dry in the sun.
Cleaning a small tent
If you have a small tent, you may be able to clean it in a bath tub or large sink.
- Spot clean any stubborn stains with your sponge, some soap and water. Remove as much of the stain as possible without scrubbing the fabric (to avoid tears)
- Fill the tub/sink with soap and water. Here you can use your specialist cleaner.
- Soak the tent in the tub/sink. Make sure it is fully submerged to get the whole tent clean
- Rinse the tent in clean water. You can do this by emptying the tub and adding clean water.
- Dry your tent completely. This can be done either by setting it up outside or hanging it on a washing line
How to remove mold from a tent
If you put your tent away damp and forget to air it out, you may end up with mould in the fabric, as well as a damp smell.
To remove mould and mildew that forms on the fabric, use a commercial enzyme cleaner. This will help to remove the mould without causing damage to the tent fabric. Make sure you don’t leave the product on longer than recommended as this may start to break down the waterproof coating on your tent.
Cleaning the poles of a tent
As well as the tent fabric, it is also a good idea to clean the poles of the tent as well. Crud and rust will build up if not cleaned and dried properly.
To clean the poles, use a soft dry cloth to remove any surface dirt. Make sure that the poles are dry before folding and packing away.
Can I clean my tent in the washing machine?
Whilst it might seem like a good idea to simply “bung it in and let it spin”, putting your tent in the washing machine is not a good idea.
Small parts of the tent could catch within the drum of the machine, stretching and pulling the material. This could lead to rips in the material of your tent, significantly reducing the life of your tent. Also, detergents used in the machine could damage the waterproofing of the tent, again reducing the life of your tent.
Ways to make cleaning your tent easier
“Prevention is better than the cure” is what they say in the medical world and the same can be said for keeping your tent clean.
To avoid the need to clean your tent at home, follow these simple tips to keep your tent clean in the first place.
Avoid wearing shoes inside your tent
Keeping dirty footwear outside of your tent will avoid bringing dirt in to the tent in the first place.
If you have to bring your shoes into the tent, such as to avoid getting them wet, make sure you have a designated area to keep them. Put a mat or some old newspaper down in the entrance of the tent and make sure everyone puts their shoes there.
Clean the tent as you go
If you get any stubborn stains on the tent whilst you are camping, clean then whilst the tent is up. This will save you the job of doing it later once you get home and ensure you don’t forget about the stain in the first place.
Use a tent footprint or groundsheet
As I explain in my “Is Buying a Tent Footprint Worth It?” post, you can prevent the bottom of your tent from getting dirty from the ground by using a tent footprint or groundsheet.
Putting a material between the sewn-in groundsheet of your tent and the (potentially) damp and muddy floor will protect the bottom of the tent and reduce the need to clean it.
Cleaning the tent whilst you pack it away
Cleaning the tent whilst you pack is away is another way to save time when you get home and make your tent last longer.
- Brush the inside of the tent to remove any loose dirt and debris using a dustpan and brush. Make sure that you recycle any waste from inside your tent and dispose of other waste appropriately.
- Spot clean the tent with water to remove any stubborn stains. Avoid scrubbing the material too hard to ensure you don’t damage the material.
- Dry any wet spots with towels to reduce the need to air your tent when you get home.
Another tip here is to fold your tent on top of your tent footprint. This will avoid you putting your clean tent on the dirty ground and make it dirty again!
Conclusion
Cleaning your tent is a great way to make sure you get the most out of it, reducing the build-up of mould and nasty odours as well as it lasting longer.