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How to remove mould on a tent

How to remove mould from a tent
A reader enquired about mould growing on their tent which they discovered after they pulled it out of storage.    

What can they do?      

Mould is fungal growth, and can cause allergies in some people, plus it's no good for your tent.     It's arisen because the tent was not fully dried when it was put away.  It's the number one thing you need to do with a tent.   Dry it thoroughly.    More tent care tips can be read here, if you need some more tips.

Whether you have a nylon or canvas tent, the problem of mould can exist.

But how to fix it?

We have listed some simple and practical tips to help overcome this problem.

Firstly, don't put in your washing machine.

how to remove mould on tents
You might think that if your tent is small enough, the washing machine on a gentle cycle will suffice.
It won't.

You can damage the seams, the tent coating and the agitation of the machine (front loader or top loading) is not good for your tent.

Same applies for machine dryers.   Don't dry your tent in a dryer.

I know some labels say its OK to put in a washing machine, but it really isn't great, especially if you do it more than once or twice. 


Secondly, handwashing is needed

how to remove mould on tents
Nylon Tent



You need to set up the tent/annexe first.  It's going to be easier to clean when the material is pulled correctly as designed.

There seems to be some variations on what to use and what not to use, but a safe start is warm water, non-detergent soap and a sponge.

When we say non-detergent this means a big "no" to dishwashing liquids,  clothes detergents and pre-soaking detergents.     These all have perfumes in them, which is something you don't want on your tent either (attracting bugs to the smell).

With this water and sponge, you wash down the affected area, rinse with clean water and then let it dry thoroughly.


 
Canvas Tent

The same applies as the above, but there is one step before you get to the washing part.

Using a stiff bristle brush, you brush off as much of the mould as you can.    Vacuum off the canvas, to remove any of the dead spores.  Then follow the above steps of washing, rinsing and drying thoroughly.



If after the above has occurred, and the mould is still there, then what?

You can look at store purchased products, such as Mould Rid (available at most big camping stores).   It's applied to both sides of the fabric with a brush, then allowed to dry and then the canvas is rinsed.  This may need to be repeated more than once.
Then you will need to re-waterproof the canvas.   




Thirdly, home remedies:  yes or no?

how to remove mould on tents
There are a lot of suggestions for other ways to clean your tent, and we can't vouch for their suitability.

One that we have read, and it's not correct is to use bleach.   Do not use bleach.      It's corrosive and if you have water repellent coating on your item, it will destroy that plus you the canvas won't last too long with the bleach on it.

Another method we have read is to mix 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of concentrated lemon juice with about 4L of hot water.

I have also heard of using vinegar mixed with hot water, or tablespoons each of bi-carb soda, white vinegar and methylated spirits, combined with teaspoons of eucalyptus and glycerine.

 Or mixing one part white vinegar to 10 parts water - for canvas tents.      Rinse well, as the smell lingers.

There are quite a lot of variations on the Internet, and you do use at your own risk (and that of the tent).    Recommended:   do a spot test in a less-obvious place of your tent.



Lastly, removing the smell

You may have cleaned the tent, but the smell still remains.    Apart from leaving outside in the sun with all flaps and windows open, the best method is to use Mirazyme.     It is all natural, and you can use it on other stuff besides your tent (smelly shoes included).

Find a stockist via Google, as it's not common in many camping stores.    Diving places seem to stock it as it must be good for diving related smells!



If in any doubt about your tent care,  always read the advice provided by the manufacturer in the first instance.

We suggest you read our story on how to care for your camping gear, so you don't need to refer back to this story anytime soon!!  


Recommended reading:

Choosing a tent - 10 tips

Nylon or Canvas Tent - which one to choose?

Caring for your tent - tips to make it last



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