Just got my first 'expensive' air tent last year. All the tents before then were very basic and a lot lot cheaper. I want to keep up with cleaning and maintenance so my investment lasts further so to speak so looking for advice on tent cleaning as this tent gets will be used for around 3-4 festivals a year. I have a fresh and black tent, I don't know if that makes any difference.
Outer tent
- Nikwax solar wash and solar proofing I have been told is the best to use for a polyester tent.
- Gear Aid Seam Grip WP for leakage on seams
- Ground Sheets i know can have soap and water or disinfectant and scrub as they are more hard wearing.
- Tent Sleeping Pods/Bedroom
I cant put these in a washing machine so what is the best way to clean them?
Can I use sprays like detol/milton steralising and then wipe down with water after?
Or wipe down with fabulosa disinfectant and let air dry? Can I use antibacterial wipes for the inside?
- Inside the tent, can I use the same as above or will that affect water proofing? Best solution to get rid of colour transfer marks or bug stains?
Is dish soap and water fine then wipe with water after? Can I scrub or is it best to wipe?
Sorry if these seem like dumb questions I just don't want to damage it.
I know to always pack away the tent dry and store in a not so humid environment. Thank you!
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No dish soap at all for anything.Best thing you can do is make sure your tent is dry inside particularly behind/under the bedpods on the floor.
Milton 1 part to ten parts water if you get mould. This will kill the spores and stop the mould from spreading.Are your bed pods fixed in?
From experience long ago with a Cabanon cotton tent with cotton inner…
No need to clean the outer tent generally, it’s proofed & mud etc brushes off when it’s dry. But bird poo may damage the material - I found cleaning the poo also removed proofing & I had to spot treat. (Like you’re supposed to clean it off your car because it damages the finish.)
We never washed the inner sleeping pods apart from spot treating the occasional splash of whatever. Wipe the underside of the (plastic) floor when you pack it away because there’ll probably be worm casts. We used to use our towels, which were going to get washed when we got home.
Never got to grips with cleaning the inside of the outer by the gas stove which got dirty like a kitchen splash back.
Do not spray inside the tent, no matter how bad the midges are. It melts the proofing.
As others have said, damp is death to most tents. Plenty of threads here about drying tents when you get home & also dealing with mould.
Enjoy your tent. Don’t get too bothered about non-damaging cosmetic dirt: you could even brag about where it came from…
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Topic: Tent Cleaning Inside Advice
via mobile 29/5/2025 at 9:52am
