The tent is your home on the road, protecting you from the elements and providing you with reliable shelter. But to ensure that it can do its job properly when you’re out and about, you need to store it properly while you’re at home.
There’s nothing worse than pitching your tent whilst on a trip and then discovering smelly mildew stains everywhere. So here we will explain what you should pay attention to when cleaning and storing tents.
Prep for Storage: Thoroughly Cleaning Your Outdoor Tent
When you return home after a trip, you should set up the tent in your garden or in another suitable place and remove dirt and grime. This is best done with lukewarm water and a mild detergent. A sponge or a soft brush can be used to remove the dirt very quickly.
If there are any stains in the mesh fabric of the inner tent, they can be removed in the same way. If the stains are more stubborn, then we recommend soaking the entire inner tent in lukewarm water and hand-washing it. But never ever put the tent in the washing machine! For stubborn stains, you should use a special cleaner designed especially for tent materials. You can also turn the inner tent inside out and shake it out to quickly and easily remove traces of the last tour.
Once you have removed any dirt from the tent, it should be thoroughly dried. The tent must be completely dry before storage, otherwise mould or mildew can form. It is best to dry the tent in a warm and well-ventilated place, until all moisture has disappeared.
Assess and Repair: Inspecting Your Tent for Any Damage
Before storing the tent, you should check it thoroughly for any damage and repair any found immediately. If there is more extensive damage, you should have it inspected by a specialist shop and, if necessary, have it repaired by the manufacturer or by a specialist.The poles should also be checked for possible breaks and replaced if damaged. If the tent has been used for a long time on a long tour, you can also replace the seam seals with a seam sealant such as SilNet (for siliconised fabric) or SeamGrip (for PU fabric). Finally, check that all the tent parts are present and that the pegs, poles and stuff sacks are all complete.
Safekeeping for Seasons: Expert Strategies for Proper Tent Storage
When the tent is completely clean and dry, when all possible damage has been repaired and all parts are complete, find a suitable place to store the tent. The best place is one that is dry and well-ventilated. A cellar is often good for this, but you should make sure that the tent is stored safely away from mice or other rodents. There is nothing more annoying than discovering that a mouse has eaten its way through the tent before you start your tour. It is your own choice whether you store the tent in a stuff sack or loosely in a cardboard box or sack. If you take care of your tent after the tour and store it properly, you will be able to enjoy your mobile home for many years.
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