Can You Put a Tent in The Washing Machine?

by

A tent is one of the essential gears you can take camping. It is not a one-time-use product. You can use it for many camping trips if you can maintain it properly. When you have spent a few days in nature, your tent might need cleaning before storing it up until the next trip.

Otherwise, dirt might be stuck in your tent, which can harm the tent. That is why you should take proper care of your tent by keeping it clean.

Washing your tent might seem like a hassle, and you might want just to put it in the washing machine to clean it. But is it safe? Well, let’s find out.

Can You Put a Tent in Washing Machine? You Need to Know

Although it might seem tempting and easy, do not put your tent in the washing machine because it will destroy the entire tent. You might end up having the tent fabric stretched and torn, the seams and mesh broken entirely with the swirls of the washing machine. 

Using a washing machine is only helpful in shortening the lifespan of a tent. Tents cannot survive the intense spinning and agitation of a washing machine. Simply said, they were not designed for machine washing.

Nylon is the most common tent material. A nylon tent will probably stretch out and become thinner if you wash it in the machine. But this can deteriorate the tent quality and for that, you would need to replace the tent frequently. This will be expensive. 

The waterproof covering of nylon and polyester protects them from the outside, but they cannot tolerate any wash cycle or washing machines. This will cause damage to the waterproof covering and if this happens, it will not be able to protect you from rainwater. 

As mentioned before, washing machines can also destroy the UV coatings of a tent. UV coatings protect you from radiation. If it goes off, then you might get harmed by the radiation. And you know solar radiation is not good for your body. So, you have to wash in a way so that the UV coating stays on the tent.

There is an interior tent and a rainfly on most two-wall tents. So, it might seem safe to wash in the washing machine. But actually, it will harm the tent. And if this causes tears in your tent, then your tent will become useless. 

So, do not use a washing machine, even if the manufacturer’s instructions say you can. Also, never putting your tent in the dryer is a further piece of caution.

It is best to hand wash your tent if you want to use it for a long time. Tents cannot withstand vigorous cleaning. The best hand washing methods use gentle scrub brushes. You do not want to take the chance of destroying any of the mesh or fiber parts of your tent.

How to Clean Your Camp Tent?

On your camping adventure, your tent endures everything: rough terrain, harsh rain, or sunlight. It can get dirty, and the fabric will lose its color. So, you better clean your tent after the trip otherwise it will get more damaged, and there can be a bad odor coming out of it.

There are many ways and methods to clean your tent. You can choose any method that seems convenient for you. However, there are some basic ingredients you will need to clean your tent despite the method you follow. The ingredients you might need to clean the tent are- 

  • A non-abrasive sponge
  • Mild soap
  • Lukewarm water
  • A piece of a soft cloth or a brush
  • Washer liquid
  • Soapy water and Nikwax tech washer, etc.

However, ensure not to use harsh chemicals while washing your tent as this may harm your tent fabric.

You can just clean your tent with the basic cleaning steps.

  • First, you need to unzip all the tent zippers. 
  • Then make the inside of the tent outside. 
  • After that, you need to shake it properly so the loose dirt and debris fall out.

There are some waterproof coating areas and protective coating areas on your tent, which you can wash with soapy water. Although a polyester tent is quite sturdy, keep in mind that these areas are extremely sensitive.so, you should use cold water instead of warm, and non-detergent soaps to clean them.

If you have any specific spot that is hard to clean, you can use a soft cloth or brush to scrub the area with mild soap. But otherwise, you do not need to scrub the entire tent. 

Next, you can soak your tent in lukewarm water in a bathtub or a large bucket. But make sure not to harm the tent poles and seam seals. You can immerse the rainfly and let it soak for some hours. It will wash the dirt away.

After some time, you can drain the tent to make the soap disappear. Then, set the tent outside in a shady area and leave it to dry for some hours. And this will leave you a clean tent.

How to Clean Your Tent with Mold?

If your tent has been exposed to rain on your camping trip, it will need a good wash after you return home. Damp polyester tent fabric can cause mold, and a funky smell can come from it. 

The best DIY trick for removing mold and mildew odors from your tent is vinegar combined with lemon juice. You will want lemon juice, vinegar, and a large tub to immerse your tent. You can combine the warm water, vinegar, and lemon juice in your bathtub. You should let the tent soak in the mixture for an hour to eliminate the bad odor.  

Due to its acidity, vinegar can work as a mold and mildew killer. When combined with lemon juice, it creates a poisonous cocktail that can kill microorganisms and eliminate odors. Additionally, the lemon juice will prevent your tent from smelling like pickles.

However, do not immerse the tent for any longer than instructed to prevent the waterproof polyurethane coating from degrading. Also, use protective sprays on tents and allow them to dry completely before storing them to avoid mold and mildew from growing.

Also, mold may grow on damp tent fabric, giving it a musty smell. You can use a professional enzyme cleanser to clean a tent that is infected with mold. To prevent eroding the waterproof polyurethane coating, ensure not to soak the tent for too long. Otherwise, it can harm the material of the tent.

Cleaning the tent might damage the mesh, and cause leaks. You need to repair the damages and fix the leaks before they become a bigger problem and make your tent useless.

Related: Why do you need to heat the tent?

How to Clean Your Tent with a Bad Odor?

Due to being damp for several hours, there can be a funky smell or foul odor in your camping tent. To get rid of the tent you should wash it properly. You will need a sizable tub, warm water, and a sizable quantity of mild dish soap to eliminate this odor.

In a big tub, combine warm water and mild detergent. Immerse the tent for an hour or more in the mixture. Take the tent outside, then carefully scrape the surface with a soft brush. You may get rid of the polyethylene layer by doing this. Before packing the tent for your trip or storage, carefully clean it and allow it to dry completely. However, if your tent is a pop-up tent, then you can try the lemon juice and vinegar mixture spray to clean off any foul odor from it.

While at the camp, when you smell any foul odors, you can always use a tent air freshener to mask the smell for some time. However, make sure not to use any fruity fragrances as they can attract animals and insects which might disturb you. 

It is preferable to use an odor remover made for tent camping. Enzymes in these goods are activated when combined with water. The enzymes operate to get rid of unpleasant smells.

Read more: How To Wash Hair While Camping?

How to Store The Tent?

The most important rule of storing a camp tent is to store it dry. So, after you have returned from your trip, wash the tent first and then air dry it thoroughly. You can set it up in your backyard and lawn or any dry, cool space with enough sunlight to let it dry. If you do not have enough large space to pitch it, you can drape or hang it to dry.

Mold and foul odor do not only grow in tents from camping but also can grow due to lack of proper storage. Mildew develops on damp materials, giving tents a musty smell and deteriorating polyurethane waterproof coatings. Moisture also begins to degrade coatings over time chemically. A neglected tent needs significant intervention or replacement if it gets flaky, sticky, or smelly.

Do not store your tent in the stuff sack, although it is excellent for backpacking. The stuff sack is not so good for long-term storage. So, it is best to use an old pillowcase or mesh bag of compatible size.

Final Words

If you love camping, then caring for your tent is very important as you can not think of the outdoor without one. Cleaning, repairing, and storing are all part of the caring process of a tent. Caring for it will shelter you from the outside environment while you camp and make your experience more wonderful.

Nathan
Latest posts by Nathan (see all)
facebookShare on
TwitterTweet
PinterestSave

136 thoughts on “Can You Put a Tent in The Washing Machine?”

  1. I have read your article carefully and I agree with you very much. This has provided a great help for my thesis writing, and I will seriously improve it. However, I don’t know much about a certain place. Can you help me?

  12. Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?

  14. I am an investor of gate io, I have consulted a lot of information, I hope to upgrade my investment strategy with a new model. Your article creation ideas have given me a lot of inspiration, but I still have some doubts. I wonder if you can help me? Thanks.

  15. After reading your article, it reminded me of some things about gate io that I studied before. The content is similar to yours, but your thinking is very special, which gave me a different idea. Thank you. But I still have some questions I want to ask you, I will always pay attention. Thanks.

  16. Your article made me suddenly realize that I am writing a thesis on gate.io. After reading your article, I have a different way of thinking, thank you. However, I still have some doubts, can you help me? Thanks.

  17. At the beginning, I was still puzzled. Since I read your article, I have been very impressed. It has provided a lot of innovative ideas for my thesis related to gate.io. Thank u. But I still have some doubts, can you help me? Thanks.

  20. At the beginning, I was still puzzled. Since I read your article, I have been very impressed. It has provided a lot of innovative ideas for my thesis related to gate.io. Thank u. But I still have some doubts, can you help me? Thanks.

  21. After reading your article, I have some doubts about gate.io. I don’t know if you’re free? I would like to consult with you. thank you.

  22. I am a website designer. Recently, I am designing a website template about gate.io. The boss’s requirements are very strange, which makes me very difficult. I have consulted many websites, and later I discovered your blog, which is the style I hope to need. thank you very much. Would you allow me to use your blog style as a reference? thank you!

  26. Pingback: www.blackhatlinks.com
  28. Pingback: แบล็คแจ็ค สูตร และ เทคนิค
  29. Pingback: bergen county mental health services
  30. Pingback: mikestreeservicecompany.com
  31. Pingback: bonanza178
  32. Pingback: clenbuterol acheter
  34. Pingback: bonanza178

  36. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Kudos

  40. Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was super
    long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
    Do you have any recommendations for newbie blog writers? I’d
    definitely appreciate it.

  46. My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net
    from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of
    the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on various websites for
    about a year and am worried about switching to
    another platform. I have heard fantastic things about
    blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my
    wordpress posts into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  47. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own blog now 😉

  49. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in reality used to be a leisure account it. Glance complex to far brought agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?

  52. After checking out a handful of the blog articles on your site, I
    truly like your way of blogging. I added it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back
    in the near future. Take a look at my website as well and tell me how you feel.

  57. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!

  58. I think what you postedtypedsaidbelieve what you postedtypedsaidthink what you postedtypedbelieve what you postedwroteWhat you postedtypedsaid was very logicala bunch of sense. But, what about this?think about this, what if you were to write a killer headlinetitle?content?typed a catchier title? I ain’t saying your content isn’t good.ain’t saying your content isn’t gooddon’t want to tell you how to run your blog, but what if you added a titleheadlinetitle that grabbed a person’s attention?maybe get people’s attention?want more? I mean %BLOG_TITLE% is a little plain. You might look at Yahoo’s home page and see how they createwrite post headlines to get viewers interested. You might add a video or a related picture or two to get readers interested about what you’ve written. Just my opinion, it could bring your postsblog a little livelier.

  62. Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  63. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any techniques to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d genuinely appreciate it.

  72. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too great. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a terrific website.

  75. Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff prior to and you’re simply too great. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the best way through which you assert it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to stay it sensible. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is actually a wonderful website.

  82. I feel this is one of the such a lot significant information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. However want to observation on few common things, The site taste is ideal, the articles is really nice : D. Good activity, cheers

  85. I’ve read several good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much attempt you set to create any such magnificent informative web site.

  88. Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!

  89. Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!

  94. Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  101. Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very useful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  102. Im not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later. Cheers

  117. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is actually a great website.

  119. Your article gave me a lot of inspiration, I hope you can explain your point of view in more detail, because I have some doubts, thank you.

  122. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a great website.

  134. Its like you read my thoughts! You seem to grasp so much approximately this, such
    as you wrote the guide in it or something. I believe that
    you could do with a few % to drive the message house a little bit, however instead of that, this is magnificent blog.
    A great read. I’ll definitely be back.

Leave a Comment

Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial