How to Wash a Tent

Therefore, you must regularly wash your tent, which you can do by performing the following steps:

 

Equipment You’ll Need

The following are the materials you’ll need for cleaning your tent:

• Hand soap or liquid dishwashing soap
• Cold water
• Soft sponge
• Two sets of cloth or rags
• Spray bottle
• Mild, non-detergent soap or tent cleaning solution
• Bathtub, sink, or large basin
• Non-porous gloves (optional)

Steps for Cleaning Your Tent

Set up your tent completely.

Pitch your tent fully outside or somewhere with enough space. Then remove the rainfly and set it to one side. Setting up your tent will allow you to do some pre-cleaning of the inside before you get to properly washing your tent.

Clean debris off your tent.

After fully setting up your tent, you can start sweeping the inside with a broom and dustpan. Make sure to thoroughly clean the tent floor of dust, sand, and other debris, as this will make it easier to wash your tent later on.

Afterward, shake the sides of your tent to get out any remaining dirt that might be stuck to the tent. Then sweep the tent floor again. Also, sweep the rainfly or shake the dirt off of it. For the tent zippers, use a toothbrush and scrub them gently for sand and other small debris.

Next is to brush the underside of your tent. From the bottom, lift your tent with one hand, then use your other hand to brush off the dirt from underneath the tent. After you’re done doing this, don’t set down the tent right away. Instead, move your tent to the side where it won’t come in contact with the dirt you just brushed off.

Scrub areas with visible dirt.

What you will do next is to get rid of any visible dirt marks or stains on the tent. For example, you might have encountered dry mud that did not readily come off when you were sweeping the tent floor. To make washing the tent later a little easier, you should try to clean as much of this kind of dirt as possible.

Get the sponge from your cleaning materials and wet it with cold water. Then apply some hand or dishwashing soap on it and start scrubbing on the grimy areas. You can also fill your spray bottle with water and moisten some of the thicker dirt marks to make them come off more easily.

For more stubborn stains, you can use alcohol-based products such as wet wipes and hand sanitizers. Be careful not to rub too hard on the fabric, so you don’t affect the waterproofing coating of your tent.

Afterward, rinse off the soap with a damp cloth or rag. Ensure to wash your cloth clean before rinsing off the next dirt mark.

Disassemble your tent.

You have now finished your pre-cleaning of the tent, and it is ready to be properly washed. Disassemble your tent for the next cleaning step. Make sure, though, to first open all of the windows and doors of the tent before collapsing it.

Fill a tub or basin with water and add soap.

Next is to fill your bathtub, sink, or a large basin with cold water. Then add some mild, non-detergent soap. Or you can put in a tent cleaning solution instead; refer to the instructions for how much solution to use. Agitate the water with your hand to mix the soap thoroughly.

It is important to avoid using bleach and laundry detergents, as they can damage your tent’s waterproof coating and even the UV-protective layers.

Submerge your tent in the tub or basin.

You can now fully submerge your tent in the bathtub or basin, including your rain fly as well. If you used handwashing or liquid dishwashing soap, leave the tent to soak for a few minutes. If you applied a tent cleaning solution instead, check the instructions for how long to leave the tent soaking.

Start washing your tent.

After your tent and rainfly have soaked in long enough, you can finally start washing them. With both hands, hold on to one part of your tent. Then press that part into the water, pull it up, then submerge it again. Do this process two to three times. Then switch to another part of the tent and repeat the process. Continue until you’ve gone through the whole tent. Also, do the same for the rain fly.

While going through the tent, take note of corners, pockets, and gear lofts. Turn these places inside-out to remove any dirt or debris and so they get properly cleaned as well.

You can also choose to wear non-porous gloves if you want when washing the tent.

Let your tent soak.

When you’re done going through the tent and rain fly, leave them to soak for around 20 minutes. Then repeat the washing process once more as in the above step.

Rinse your tent.

Drain the dirty water from your bathtub, sink, or large basin and refill it with clean, cold water. Then, rinse the remaining soap and dirt off your tent thoroughly. If the water is still dirty or soapy, drain the water again, refill your tub or basin, and rinse the tent again. Continue this process until the water becomes relatively clear. Don’t forget to rinse the rain fly too.

Leave your tent to dry.

Finally, after you’re done with rinsing your tent and rainfly, it is time to let them completely dry. If it is a nice, sunny day, you can leave your tent to hang outside to dry. You can even pitch your tent to dry it better. If you’re short on space, you can still dry your tent by hanging it over a handrail, chair, or door. You can also spread the tent over a table. The above steps apply to your rain fly as well.

Be careful not to place your tent or fly in a washer or dryer. The heat from dryers can affect or completely damage the waterproof coating. At the same time, the agitators of washing machines can cause damage to the fabric.

Clean your tent poles.

Don’t forget to also your tent poles. Using a damp cloth or rag, wipe down the body of the poles, then leave them to dry.

Store your tent properly.

Properly storing your tent is an essential step to maintaining the cleanliness and quality of the fabric. Make sure to keep your tent somewhere dry. Otherwise, the presence of moisture in your storage space can encourage the growth of molds and mildew.

Also, your storage location should have a well-regulated temperature. If the space is too hot or too cold, the condition of the tent fabric and its waterproof coating might get compromised. Some places you can store your tent include a garage, the top of a cabinet, a closet, or a shed.

FAQs

Can you wash a tent in the washing machine?

It is not recommended to wash your tent in a washing machine. Washers usually have agitators that can get caught in and end up causing damage to your tent’s fabric.

Can you put your tent in a dryer?

It is also not recommended to place your tent in a dryer. The heat from a dryer can cause damage to your tent’s fabric, waterproof coating, and UV-protective layers. Instead, you can dry your tent outside under the sun or hang it indoors.

Conclusion

Washing a hammock or tent might seem tedious at first. Still, it can become a natural part of maintaining your tent’s condition if done regularly. You only need typical household items, and the process of cleaning a tent is straightforward. And more importantly, a clean and washed tent feels good to camp in and lasts longer as well. Take the time to wash your tent: your efforts will surely be rewarded.