When unpacking and going away with your tent that has been packed and put away all winter, a disgusting and wicked smell may come out of it. You may have stored away your tent before getting it dry correctly. On wet material, the process of spoilage and mold may enhance rapidly. Now when you are thinking about how to clean tent mold, there is no need to worry about it; you can fix your outdoor protection and shelter with some elbow grease and Revivex Cleaner. With the help of these elements and care, your tent can last for many years, and you can make the tent fresh and ready to use again.
Best Methods to Remove Mold from Tent
Following are the best ways to remove mold from a tent.
1. Hot Water and Soapy Water
Sometimes you may remove your tent mold with hot water and soap, but it depends on how much mold is exploited into the fabric as nylon or canvas. Sometimes you can’t make this mess with soap and hot water, it is possible not to handle it, but you should try it before moving on any other way. I recommend you start washing with specialized cleaner and water, which will not affect the water-resistance of your outdoor shelter, and you can make it clean and fresh again.
2. Vinegar and Water
Another way to clean a tent mold is to use white vinegar. Vinegar is the cheapest resource as it doesn’t cost much and is the best odor eliminator. You can use lots of things around you to clean them up with vinegar. It is light and will not damage your tent, no matter what material it is made with. But if you still have concerns, no worries; try it on a small area by using and spraying vinegar and letting it sit for a moment to see how it will react.
Mix a quarter cup of vinegar in a spray bottle, add one cup of warm water, and spray on the damaged part. Now use a soft brush to scrub it; after that, allow your tent a completely air dry.
3. Lemon Juice and Salt
One of the serious issues with mold and mildew is that it leaves the most challenging scars behind them. They are not easily removed from the tent fabric. It can be hard to deal with dark stains, especially with a light-colored canvas tent.
You can also use lemon juice and salt to remove the mold and mildew. For it, you need a jug of hot water and add one cup of lemon juice, and a cup of salt as well in it. Now put this mixer in a large container where the moldy tent is soaking. The same goes with it, as mentioned above; rub your tent with a gentle hand, or use a soft brush for this purpose.
4. Tea Tree Oil and Warm Water
If you don’t have vinegar or lemon juice, try tea tree oil to clean the mold and mildew from a tent.
1. In a spray bottle, mix 1 part of tea tree oil with the ten parts of hot water.
2. Spray this mixture on the molds to get rid of them.
3. Now, with a brush, scrub it gently.
4. Allow it fully air dry
5. Mirazyme
Mirazyme has an enzyme that discharges fungi spores and runs their odor away. It also helps to remove the mildew and mold from the tents.
1. Pour lukewarm water into the large container or bathtub and add half an ounce.
2. Soak your tent in it for 15 to 20 minutes
3. Don’t rub your tent and pull it out from the tub.
4. Now put it in the shaded area to make it dry completely and no longer have a foul odor.
5. Remove the smell from a tent.
Revivex Pro Cleaner
When the mold and mildew don’t remove in all the ways mentioned above, you can go for revivex pro cleaner.
- Mild dish soap
- Sponge
- A large bucket /container or bathtub
- Estimated cleaning time is 30 to 35 minutes/ Air Dry; 7-8 hours.
1. Clean the grimy and soiled parts first with a sponge and soap
2. Pour hot water into a tub or container and add two fl oz (59 ml) of Revivex Pro Cleaner.
3. Suppress the tent and wash the outer fabric with your hands
4. Do not rub your undersurface tent fly, as you can destroy or damage the polyurethane waterproof layer.
5. Rinse it with water unless the remaining soap has gone away.
6. Make the air dry completely.
Read More: Can You Put A Tent in Dryer?
How to Increase the Lifespan of Camping Tents?
Good quality camps can be costly, but they are worth the price if you use them for many years. Some extra caution can increase the lifespan of your tent, and you can enjoy camping for a long time. Here we will discuss how you can increase the lifespan of camping tents.
1. Be Gentle with Zippers
Sometimes the zippers of your tent get snagged, don’t try to twitch them. Instead, turn the zipper back gently while the fabric gets free. In this case, if you have a graphite pencil, you can rub it on the teeth of the zipper.
Wipe your zippers with a damp cloth regularly. Also, applying a wax-based lubricant will keep the zippers working evenly.
Shake out your tent when packing up
When packing your tent, shake it out properly and ensure no debris or dirt is left in your shelter.
2. Rolling vs Stuffing
You should fold your tent into thirds while keeping poles in the middle and roll them. So the stakes would be in the protection layer. as mentioned above, when you roll the tent, sweep away all the dirt, debris, pine, and needles.
A stuff sack is also another option in case of a wet tent, so stuff carefully into a stuff sack. It is convenient and quick to do this on stream.
3. Tent repair basics
Mostly, you can deal with tent repair by yourself. Duct and tenacious tape are used to fix the broken parts of the tent. For small and middle-sized hole fixation, you can use tenacious tape. This tape is waterproof and available in several colours, and it is more durable than duct tape.
To repair the hole in the tent’s door and windows, you can stitch it with a needle and thread.
Read More: How to Repair Canvas Tent?
4. Tent poles
When setting up, shake your poles and let the shlep parts lash down into a place. It keeps extra stress on your rods and cords. If you join the chunks at once a time with hands, it will increase your tent’s life. New tents are available with a small 3-5 inch section of pole material to use as a splint. You can place this splint on the broken parts and wrap it with duct tape. Duct tape is also a suitable repair option for broken poles. When planning a trip, cut a 2-3 foot duct tape and enfold it around a trekking pole.
When taking your shelter down, put your tent poles out of the way so you may not mistakenly put your steps on it.
5. Keep your tent clean with proper storage.
The best way to your tent is a dry place. The garage can be a good place for storing your tent because the basement can be wet and cause mold and mildew in your tent. Keeping temperatures in mind, you can’t hold them in such a scorching place.
Before storing your tent, ensure it is completely dried away, and then fold and roll them for packing. It should be packed in breathable bags. Mesh bags are the best option for storage. These are cheap and designed to be waterproof. Because if your tent gets moisturized from the inside, it causes mold to grow in your tent.
Don’t store your tent on the ground to keep it safe from getting moisturized. For this purpose, a shelf is a good option. Putting it in an organized way can be beneficial for you so that you can use it easily next time.
Final Thoughts: How to Clean Tent Mold
How to clean a tent mold can be rough and tumble. But don’t let it ruin your camping plan. Mildew and mold can also be health risks. Take some time for its cleanliness properly so you can use it next time. Once you have done with it, clean and dry it thoroughly before storing it in a dry place. So your tent can be safe from getting mold and mildew again. With all these tips, you will not just enhance the tent’s life but can also save money and enjoy lots of fun-loving tours with your family and loved ones. Always stay safe and have fun.
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Clean Tent Mold
Following are the frequently asked question related to how to clean tent mold.
Q-What if you discover mold on your tent while camping?
Answer: If you discover mold during your tour, you can vacuum your tent after some hours. You are letting your tent air out. You can also use scented air fresheners. If these procedures are not working, you can sprinkle baking soda. Or you can clean your tent with soap that is safe for your tent material by damping the cloth by soaking it in a soap and water mixture.
Q-how to you get rid of the moldy smell?
Answer: You can eliminate the moldy smell by using an air freshener and airing your tent out. You can also vacuum your tent after a few hours by sprinkling some baking soda. But your tent needs a deep cleaning if the smell doesn’t remove.
Q-What does mold look like?
Answer: Mold may look like black stains or specks of black, orange, white, green, or maybe brown. Once it gets in your tent, it spreads fast.
Q-How do you clean a canvas tent?
Answer: You can clean a canvas tent with a product that keeps the canvas sealed after cleaning.
Q-What if you discover mold on your tent while camping?
Answer: If you discover mold during your tour, you can vacuum your tent after some hours. You are letting your tent air out. You can also use scented air fresheners. If these procedures are not working, you can sprinkle baking soda or clean your tent with soap that is safe for your tent material by dampening the cloth by soaking it in a soap and water mixture.