I've just returned from a new adventure! My wife is away for a couple of weeks (with the car!), so I thought "I'm not sitting at home till SWMBO returns" and went camping on my scooter! I only went for 3 nights to Leek CCC site (don't worry, this isn't turning into a site review!). I loaded Trinity (my scooter- she's a Matrix which may explain the name to you!) with saddlebags and an old tent found in a cupboard. It claimed to be "3-man" but was only 2.1 x 1.8 metres, and was last used by my son to go stewarding at Greenbelt Festival. I quickly checked it over and approved it for use. When I arrived and pitched, I found the tent canvas (well, polyester, really!) was dirty inside, with mud and cigarette ends(!) stuck to it. Quickly and easily cleared of debris, it was still rather dirty when I'd finished.
On the last night of my break, a torrential downpour revealed the true nature of this tent- a good impression of a colander! I managed to keep most of my gear dry, but didn't sleep much that night! Watching the water run down the inside of the tent, and listening to the drips into the puddles on the groundsheet is not conducive to a good night's rest!
So, at last I hear you say, my query is this, how should I clean the inside of the tent material? Is there a "tent wash" product I can use in the washing machine? And should I turn the tent inside-out to clean the interior? I have heard of re-proofing products that can be used in a washing machine, are these suitable to use on a polyester tent, or are they intended (as I suspect) for clothing and equipment?
I'd be most grateful if anyone could advise me, I'd like to stay dry on my next scooter camping trip . . .
Curious. Were you using an inner tent or single skin? If the latter it may have been condensation due to drop in temp or combo of condensation & leaks. Nikwax & Fabsil do tent proofing but probably best to clean it by hand best you can.
Don't bother.
This is a cheap and nasty little tent.
If it leaks don't clean it.
If it's synthetic don't try to proof it.
Keep it until someone you don't like demands to borrow a tent and dump it on them.
Treat yourself to a new tent from a good brand, this looks like a bargain:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vango-ARK-200-2-Man-Tent-Black-Unused/303261318296?hash=item469bc87c98:g:~EcAAOSwLztdXrMG
* 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.
Quote: Originally posted by Bramston on 22/8/2019
Don't bother.
This is a cheap and nasty little tent.
If it leaks don't clean it.
If it's synthetic don't try to proof it.
Keep it until someone you don't like demands to borrow a tent and dump it on them.
I wrote something along those lines earlier then deleted it because I didn't want to upset the OP. I am a nice person sometimes
This tent doesn't seem to have a porch or extended fly sheet where you can kick off and abandon muddy boots and hang up wet and muddy clothes.
When your son and his friends used this tent they wore their boots inside the inner tent, then lacking any kind off dish they used the already muddy groundsheet as an ashtray. Any bedding and spare clothing would have been trampled into the mud.
Somewhere on the tents original packaging you may have found a note saying that it is showerproof, but at the festival it rained and the tent leaked making everything a horrible soggy mess.
At the end of the festival the tent was taken down still wet and thrown into the boot of a car and left there until the sun came out. By the time somebody bothered to air and dry it the mess on the groundsheet had soaked into the roof of the inner tent.
You've done your best to clean it but the fabric is stained and isn't worthy of your further efforts.
Buy a nice new tent for yourself and don't let your son use it. Let him know he is welcome to use the stained leaky tent or he can buy his own tent and learn to look after it.
Thanks to all for their input. It IS a cheap and nasty little tent, an ASDA "Ozark Trail" I think. I know I need a "better" tent, I was thinking of this https://www.vango.co.uk/gb/tents/927-soul-200.html. I can get this from Blacks/Millets for around £34 (JD Sports staff discount!)
Any opinions?
I actually have a Vango Soul 200, I cycled with it from Cherbourg to St Malo a few years ago and had no problems with it. It is a small lightweight tent and a little on the low side.
I was in Asda a couple of years ago and looked at the tents they had for sale, one of them had "Showerproof" written on it's packaging, it may even be the tent you bought.
Millets online have an extra 20% off sale prices this weekend, with some good deals on good small tents. The Millets site often sells the same thing as the Blacks site but a bit cheaper.
Thanks to all who have responded.
I have now invested in a Eurohike Ribble 2,from Blacks Manchester store, a real bargain with 15% extra off, and my JD Sports staff discount.
Blacks and Millets are both part of the JD Sports group.
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
Topic: Cleaning & re-proofing an old tent.
via mobile 22/8/2019 at 11:11am
You can think that but to say it out loud!
