Insurance Quotes
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers
UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site
All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts
All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs
All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories
Join for Free Log In

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register  Log In  Search  Latest Posts
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping under canvas 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: Help! My tent has black spores growing on
Post Reply
Personkimmysue
04/2/2013 at 6:15pm
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: Vango Ascott 500 View kimmysue's Profile View Profile   Reply to kimmysue Reply   Quote kimmysue Quote  
Joined: 20/5/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   10
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
I have a Hi Gear Zenobia 6 tent. Ok it's not the most expensive tent out there, but it has been perfect for our family and we have enjoyed many trips in it over the past four years!

When we returned from our last camping trip it had been raining and we had to wait a couple of weeks before we could put the tent up for an airing. The great British summer!!

When we pitched the tent in the garden we noticed there were a lot of black spores growing on the fabric of the tent. I couldn't remove them with a gentle scrub, so we let it air thoroughly and packed it away for the winter.

Can anyone recommend a treatment for the tent? If there is such a thing? I am concerned if I scrub the tent, will I effect the waterproofness of the tent?

Any advice would be gratefully received.


Person1Man1Dog
04/2/2013 at 6:47pm
 Location: Gwynedd
 Outfit: Various tents. View 1Man1Dog's Profile View Profile   Reply to 1Man1Dog Reply   Quote 1Man1Dog Quote  
Joined: 05/1/2013

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   581
Tent Reviews:   5
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
This thread may be handy.


Personvictoria1
04/2/2013 at 6:50pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View victoria1's Profile View Profile   Reply to victoria1 Reply   Quote victoria1 Quote  
Joined: 06/1/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3318
Tent Reviews:   4
Site Reviews Total: 8
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
It's mildew, and there's not much you can do about it. If the tent has been dried out properly then it probably won't have continued to develop - and you'll just have the marks. I think you're going to have to learn to ignore them.

You are right to be reluctant to wash or scrub the fabric. If you touch it with any detergent you will affect the waterproofness. Even childrens bubbles that are so often found on campsites, will harm the tent. If a bubble pops on your tent, it will leave a perfect little circle that is no longer waterproof.



Personarsenaldes
04/2/2013 at 7:12pm
 Location: Aston Clinton
 Outfit: Kampa Holkham + Outwell Yukon River* View arsenaldes's Profile View Profile   Reply to arsenaldes Reply   Quote arsenaldes Quote  
Joined: 13/6/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5090
Tent Reviews:   12
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
You need to kill the mildew spores otherwise they will keep growing. Diluted Milton solution is ideal for this (Outwell used to suggest it on their website) just make sure you rinse it off well.

-------------
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again


Personyoulbury
04/2/2013 at 7:31pm
 Location: Cornwall
 Outfit: Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0 xtr Vario View youlbury's Profile View Profile   Reply to youlbury Reply   Quote youlbury Quote  
Joined: 16/5/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1262
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 16
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

I found some spots of mildew on the bedroom pods once I used Dettol mould & mildew remover, I left it for an hour and it wiped clean without a stain...I was lucky.

Please be warned do not get it near the outer it will start removing the waterprooof qualities of the tent.

Milton is safer to use though.

I know there are a few tent cleaning products out there but I doubt that will help. 

I would cut the middleman out and buy the below it is without inners and poles, complete too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ADA2579-Hi-Gear-Zenobia-6-6-Berth-Family-Tent-Faulty-/190789510990?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_HikingCamping_Tents_JN&hash=item2c6bf0e74e&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&siteid=3&campid=5339172918&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

 



* This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, as an eBay Partner Network member we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.


-------------
It's better to ask a silly question than make a silly mistake.


Advertisement



Personlidds0
04/2/2013 at 7:57pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: None Entered View lidds0's Profile View Profile   Reply to lidds0 Reply   Quote lidds0 Quote  
Joined: 24/8/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4505
Site Reviews Total: 57
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 7 
Site Reviews 2023: 10
Site Reviews 2022: 1 
Site Reviews 2021: 4 
Site Reviews 2020: 1 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 37
Site Nights 2023: 48
Site Nights 2022: 20
Site Nights 2021: 9
Site Nights 2020: 2
An excellent find, Youlbury, and even cheaper than some Milton and Fabsil!


Personldpdmp
04/2/2013 at 8:11pm
 Location: durham
 Outfit: bailey View ldpdmp's Profile View Profile   Reply to ldpdmp Reply   Quote ldpdmp Quote  
Joined: 10/5/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1188
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
milton is the one   fungi hate it   but there again so would you if you had a bath in it   ok for baby bottles and for home brewing gear though


Personkimmysue
04/2/2013 at 8:19pm
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: Vango Ascott 500 View kimmysue's Profile View Profile   Reply to kimmysue Reply   Quote kimmysue Quote  
Joined: 20/5/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   10
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Thank you all for your replies.

A huge huge thank you to youlbury for the eBay link! I wouldn't have thought about looking there! Ideal!! Placed a bid and won the outer for 0.99p plus postage!! Thank you so so much!


Personkimmysue
04/2/2013 at 8:19pm
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: Vango Ascott 500 View kimmysue's Profile View Profile   Reply to kimmysue Reply   Quote kimmysue Quote  
Joined: 20/5/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   10
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Thank you all for your replies.

A huge huge thank you to youlbury for the eBay link! I wouldn't have thought about looking there! Ideal!! Placed a bid and won the outer for 0.99p plus postage!! Thank you so so much!


Personyoulbury
04/2/2013 at 8:39pm
 Location: Cornwall
 Outfit: Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0 xtr Vario View youlbury's Profile View Profile   Reply to youlbury Reply   Quote youlbury Quote  
Joined: 16/5/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1262
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 16
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Quote: Originally posted by kimmysue on 04/2/2013
Thank you all for your replies.

A huge huge thank you to youlbury for the eBay link! I wouldn't have thought about looking there! Ideal!! Placed a bid and won the outer for 0.99p plus postage!! Thank you so so much!

Great glad you got in time.

-------------
It's better to ask a silly question than make a silly mistake.


Advertisement

Handiworld


PersonRTS5
04/2/2013 at 8:42pm
 Location: North Wiltshire
 Outfit: Elddis & 3 tents View RTS5's Profile View Profile   Reply to RTS5 Reply   Quote RTS5 Quote  
Joined: 25/8/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3410
Tent Reviews:   4
Site Reviews Total: 15
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Well that is one way to cure a mould problem. Well Done Kimmysue and top find Youlbury


Personarsenaldes
04/2/2013 at 9:13pm
 Location: Aston Clinton
 Outfit: Kampa Holkham + Outwell Yukon River* View arsenaldes's Profile View Profile   Reply to arsenaldes Reply   Quote arsenaldes Quote  
Joined: 13/6/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5090
Tent Reviews:   12
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0


-------------
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again


Personarsenaldes
04/2/2013 at 9:14pm
 Location: Aston Clinton
 Outfit: Kampa Holkham + Outwell Yukon River* View arsenaldes's Profile View Profile   Reply to arsenaldes Reply   Quote arsenaldes Quote  
Joined: 13/6/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5090
Tent Reviews:   12
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Just bear in mind Manufacturers do not recommend the use of any household cleaners on tent flysheets as a lot contain bleach which can cause both fabric and waterproof membrane to deteriorate which is why Outwell recommended Milton

-------------
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping under canvas - Top of Page

     Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...












    Upcoming Event

UKCS Meet Motorhome and Campervan Show Exeter 20/11 to 22/11

A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets


6996 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Special Offers]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Tent Reviews] 

[Contact Us] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026


Advertisement
Advertisement

Advertisement