I've been using this website for a couple of years but have now registered as a member.
I have a 5M bell tent that is now 3 years old. At the end of last season I noticed that it was "wetting out" more than it once did and so feel that it needs a clean and possibly a re-proof.
I've seen a couple of websites offering a clean and re-proof service but the cost of that seems very high.
Does anyone have any good advise to offer on how to go about this? has anyone tried cleaning theirs in a bath or an industrial washing machine at the laundrette?
We have always had cotton canvas tents. Other than bird poo we have never cleaned them, apart from a tiny patch that we couldn't decide if it was mildew or not when we used iosso but at half strength of the recommended solution.
I always thought that you weren't meant to clean a canvas tent. I certainly don't think a washing machine is a very good idea, you won't have a tent at the end of the wash!
We have never re-proofed one either but if I felt I had to I would look for a specific product for cotton canvas or at least one that mentions cotton in its blurb.
I am sure someone knows a lot more about it than I do!
I have cleaned our awnings in the past and what I do is erect them and then using just plain water I use the pressure washer stood well back and with a wide spray angle on the fabric start on the roof and work my way down, it cleans them lovely and then I reproof it all with fabsil and leave to dry do a second coat if needed/just to be sure and once fully dry that's it done, but be prepared to get very wet yourself doing it! lol
kazo2014 - Can I ask how you apply the fabsil after you've pressure-washed the fabric? Also, would fabsil cause any damage to grass? I can borrow a field to do the work in but only if it won't kill the grass.
I use a large paste brush, clean and new of course, and yes it would damage the grass but you could always put a tarp down, using the brush means its much more controlled as and where the fabsil goes which is good due to the cost of the stuff!
I've done bits of our 6mt bell tent, but now after living in it the last 20 weeks I've enquires about having it cleaned and re-proofed. I found these
www.pristineawnings.co.uk/
Who say around £270 inc carriage, they hand wash which I like the sound of as they specifically can work on problem areas like the door!! Also we have a chimney hole with a silicon and metal cowl that could damage the rest of the tent if machine washed.. I can't imagine how big a machine would have to be?! The price sounds good to me because it would take me a few days I'm sure.. When I could be out earning money 😁
some how Tinhouse69 I don't think for one minute they are using some industrial sized washing machine to clean the tents with! lol in fact I would suggest that they clean the tents the same manner that I use! i.e. clean water and a pressure washer, and to be honest if your garden is big enough to peg it out in then its not that hard to do yourself for a lot less than £270!
Like tinhouse69, I too had a quote from www.pristineawnings.co.uk and I'm sure they would do an excellent job. I also came across another company in Southampton that would do the job but didn't get a quote.
I too like the idea of hand washing and I too have a grommet for my stove which gave me the idea of washing the tent with something like Nikwax Techwash in the bath and wondered if anyone had tried it.
I can just fit the tent in my garden (now that I've removed some shrubs from the lawn) to dry it or maybe for a pressure washer and brush treatment.
The cost of clean and re-proof also gave me the idea to sell my tent and combine the proceeds with what the cleaning would cost to buy a new tent.
Quote: Originally posted by kazo2014 on 20/2/2015
some how Tinhouse69 I don't think for one minute they are using some industrial sized washing machine to clean the tents with! lol in fact I would suggest that they clean the tents the same manner that I use! i.e. clean water and a pressure washer, and to be honest if your garden is big enough to peg it out in then its not that hard to do yourself for a lot less than £270!
http://www.washandwaterproof.com/textile-tent.html This company do it with a washing machine.. I just think my tent needs some extra elbow grease and heavy duty cleaner as it has been up and we have lived in it for in the last 5 months, and not only outside dirt but also wood smoke inside and I don't have the time or space to do it myself right now.
Quote: Originally posted by manglemender on 21/2/2015Like tinhouse69, I too had a quote from www.pristineawnings.co.uk and I'm sure they would do an excellent job. I also came across another company in Southampton that would do the job but didn't get a quote.
I too like the idea of hand washing and I too have a grommet for my stove which gave me the idea of washing the tent with something like Nikwax Techwash in the bath and wondered if anyone had tried it.
I can just fit the tent in my garden (now that I've removed some shrubs from the lawn) to dry it or maybe for a pressure washer and brush treatment.
The cost of clean and re-proof also gave me the idea to sell my tent and combine the proceeds with what the cleaning would cost to buy a new tent.
Nick
Nikwax tech wash is brill.. That's what I have used on areas .. Like the door and around the chimney.. It really does wash and reproof in one. But it takes a lot of work, if you've the time and space then go for it 🎪
I really don't see the problem, these tents are out in all weathers, so why is everyone so afraid of getting the tent wet,,,, I used diluted carpet cleaner, sprayed the tent and then went at it with a pressure washer, ok you have to use a mild scrubbing brush for the stubborn areas, but HEY PRESTO a few hours work and a nice new looking tent, I also always(when completely dry) re fabseal and spray with anti mold as well and respray the inside with fire proof protection, C,mon you all weather campers its not the end of the world
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Topic: Cleaning a canvas bell tent
