Hiking and camping is a great way to get out and enjoy the great outdoors while also getting a healthy workout in at the same time. Staying in shape and being healthy is a top priority for many Americans these days and what better way to stay on top of your health and fitness goals than by spending time in nature? Well, before you set out on your adventure, you must make sure that your tent is in good and proper order and is clean enough for you and your family to use. In today’s article, we’re going to explore some best practices you can use in order to keep your tent clean and in tip top shape.

Function Check And Inspecting Your Tent Before Your First Trip

The best time to clean your tent is at the beginning of the season before your first outing and after each extended camping trip that lasts more than two nights. At the beginning and end of each camping season, you should inspect your tent to make sure that there are no mold spots, tears, or broken zippers that may negatively impact your tent’s performance on the next trip. Here is a quick checklist of things you should inspect:

• Inspect and function check each zipper to make sure that they close and open properly and without leaks
• Check each seam line to ensure that they are waterproof and not full of gaps or holes
• Apply waterproofing sealant (available at most big box stores) to your seams each season
• Look for and patch up any holes or weak spots in the tent’s fabric as needed 
• Inspect the tent poles for proper fit and function and make sure that they are not going to break or split with the next use
• Finally, check your tent’s bag to make sure that it isn’t allowing moisture or dirt through to your tent during storage

Cleaning Your Tent

Cleaning your tent is easier in a lot of ways than it is to do the full function and system check. You will need just a few common household cleaning ingredients which we will detail below. If you clean only one thing for your camping adventures this year, then let it be your tent as it can be the most important part of your kit to keep maintained. 

Cleaning supplies:

• 5 gallon bucket or other common household cleaning bucket
• Concentrated liquid dish soap
• Warm water
• Clean multi-purpose sponge
• Spare toothbrush or soft bristled cleaning brush

Cleaning Process

Mix the warm water and soap in the bucket. Make a very diluted solution because if it is too strong or harsh, then it can strip away your tent’s water coating layer. We recommend about 1 to 2 tablespoons of soap per gallon of water. 

Wet your sponge and dab and scrub soiled areas to remove most of the dirt. You may need to do spot cleaning with the toothbrush. Scrub the zippers inside and out using the brush and allow them to fully dry. You can use a paper towel or dry dish towel to dry off the wet spots or you can simply hang up your tent in a cool dry place like your garage or backyard during the day. 

After Each Camping Trip

Here are some best practices for keeping your tent in good working order that you can deploy after each trip.

• Take your tent out of its bag and let it air dry for at least 12 to 24 hours in a cool dry place
• Clean your tent before storing it 
• Inspect your tent for rips and tears after it has dried out
• Store it in a loose mesh bag or porous sack instead of its stuff sack if at all possible 

For The Road

Cleaning your camping tent each time is no small feat, but with a little preparation you can be ready for anything that comes your way this year. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!