We’ve not been camping for ages due to having a young family and it generally just not happening!
Anyway, the last time we used our 7 berth Vango Maritsa 700 was in France 4 years ago. We don’t have a huge garden so pitching it and cleaning it has always been difficult. I’ve got it out today and it’s filthy 😩. It smells horrid, there’s mould on the windows and it’s generally not the nicest.
I could clean it myself but it’s going to prove problematic so, has anyone used or know of any companies that clean and reproof tents? I’m in Blackpool but I’m willing to explore any options really.
We go away in 6 weeks so I’d need something relatively quickly.
What a nightmare for you. If it is so bad it may be worth getting a new tent. I don’t know any tent cleaning services but a quick google has brought this up : https://www.tentvaletingservices.co.uk/
If I were you I’d give them a ring. If they can’t help they may know someone who will.
If your tent has a lot mould you may seriously need to look for a new tent, its going to be a struggle to get rid of that as its embedded into the material and remember any cleaning products will harm the waterproofing of the tent.
By the time a tent gets very mouldy, as above, effective cleaning may not be possible but you can always re-proof the tent if needed. The real problem of course is if mould is extensive it can weaken the weave and the stiching. If you mix one part of vinegar to 5 parts water and add some washing up liquid (teaspoon per pint) you can use this to clean off the mould...use goggles and a respirator as mould spores are very damaging to health. Once done, allow to thoroughly dry and to be sure the mould is dead, clean again, this time using Milton's fluid diluted as directed and leave to air dry. You can then re-proof and test using a hosepipe.
If you don't have room in the garden, you will need to find somewhere to erect the tent. Personally speaking, having suffered from illnesses that could have been prevented had I taken more care with safeguards such as gloves, respirators, I wouldn't chance the use of a heavily mould damaged tent, especially where children were concerned. I'd buy another and write that one off to experience. If it is only in patches, I'd have a go at cleaning, as above, but the main thing after a trip away and before going is to erect the tent in warm dry weather to ensure that it is thoroughly dried before packing away and store indoors, not out in a shed somewhere, especially given he cost of a replacement these days.
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Topic: Tent cleaning
