Tent Care ...


One of the easiest ways to extend the life of your tent is to clean and store it correctly. Proper cleaning and storage protect the tent fabric, the seams and the waterproof coatings on the tent floor and rainfly.

Cleaning:
Keep your tent as dry and clean as possible at all times. Brush it out completely after each trip or turn it inside out and shake it clean. If the tent is damp, set it up in a dry, shady place so it can dry out completely before you pack it away. Never store your tent wet.

When washing your tent, keep the scrubbing to a minimum to protect the nylon, mesh panels and waterproof coatings. Spot clean when you can. If you have to wash the entire tent, follow this basic procedure:

Removing Mildew:
Mildew can develop any time your tent is stored wet. In addition to looking and smelling bad, mildew can damage your tent's waterproof coatings. To remove mildew, try a little light scrubbing with a sponge during regular cleaning. If the mildew and/or mildew odor remains, try the following procedure:

Storage:
The best place to store your tent is in a cool, dry, shaded spot. Avoid damp basements, hot attics, dirty garages and any place in direct sunlight. Whenever possible, store your tent folded loosely rather than packed tight in a stuff sack.

General Tent Care Tips:
1. Avoid excess sun exposure -- Over time, the sun's ultraviolet rays damage tent fabrics and coatings, so pitch your tent in a shady area whenever possible. Rainflies are cheaper to replace than tent bodies, so cover your tent with your rainfly as much as possible when in the sun.

2. Protect your floor -- Use a ground sheet to protect your tent floor from punctures and abrasion from below. Remove your footwear before you climb inside to keep dirt and abrasive boot soles outside where they belong.

3. Take it easy on your poles -- If your tent poles are linked with shockcord, break them down by folding them near the middle first, then folding each half. This will lower the resulting tension on the shockcord inside.

4. Occasionally you will need to reseal the seams of the tent with a seam sealer. There are a number of different commercial kinds out there. Personally I have found "Kenyon Seam Sealer" to work the best.



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