How to Clean a Tent

The best way to clean a tent is to think of it as a home. 

Using this analogy, you would follow the same guidelines as you would when cleaning the kitchen or the bathroom. 

You would normally clean up any dirt or debris from the floor immediately.  Remove anything that does not belong, and do not allow the kids to traipse into the house with muddy shoes.  

Beyond that, here are some suggestions: 

* Sweep out the dirt and debris from the tent after each use. 

* Check the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning the tent. 

* If you do not have any instructions, choose a clear day to set up the tent in your backyard.   

* Pour some liquid soap into a bucket of warm water.   

* Wash the tent, inside and out, using a sponge.   

* If you have access to a garden hose, rinse the tent completely. 

* Let the tent dry before storing it for next time. 

Lastly, shaking a tent is not actually cleaning it.  It’s just moving the dirt and debris around inside. 

As stated earlier, a tent is analogous to a home.  The more you care for it, the less time you will spend cleaning it. 

Here is an important tip: If it is raining on the day you are heading home from a camping trip, ensure that you dry the tent before storing it.  If not, it will begin to develop mold and mildew.  After you dry it inside and out, take the broom and sweep out any remaining dirt from the inside. 

You might also want to go over the poles, ropes, and stakes with a dry cloth.  Put them in separate storage bags; then you can store your tent accordingly. 

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