Post by: jaredwitman on November 10, 2022, 02:47:46 PM
Any recommendations on cleaning? Good things to try/bad experiences, etc?
EDIT:
Include any waterproofing advice you might have as well.
Post by: KFhunter on November 10, 2022, 03:46:08 PM
Post by: follow maggie on November 10, 2022, 06:11:03 PM
Post by: huntnfmly on November 10, 2022, 06:32:32 PM
I just brush the dirt off with a soft brush, make sure it’s dry & put it away.
This
As for the waterproofing I’ve had people say they have taken a hand held pump type sprayer that you use for weeds and fill it up with waterproofing and spray it on
It works better when it’s warm to absorb and then dry
Post by: ghosthunter on November 10, 2022, 06:51:01 PM
Do one side rinse with pressure nozzle on hose.repeat. Final rinse. Leave on frame till dry.
Post by: Slamadoo on November 10, 2022, 07:23:04 PM
Post by: ghosthunter on November 10, 2022, 08:00:28 PM
Dirt also deteriorates fabric. So yes I think it’s important to clean them as well as possible.
My routine when returning home is….
Check weather forecast, if clear warm weather I set them up and hose off at least.
If rain and cool I hang in my arctic for couple months and than stuff in 55 gal drums. When good weather returns I get them set up and wash, check for loose threads and other issues, roll and store.
A lot depends on your situation. If you have a big shop or a small area like I do.
The cleaner you keep them the more they hold there value in my opinion.
Post by: ghosthunter on November 10, 2022, 08:11:10 PM
Post by: ghosthunter on November 10, 2022, 08:14:56 PM
Post by: ghosthunter on November 10, 2022, 08:23:09 PM
https://blog.whiteduckoutdoors.com/a-quick-guide-to-taking-care-of-your-canvas-wall-tents-before-and-after-use
Post by: Slamadoo on November 10, 2022, 08:47:28 PM
I take mine down after elk, but it's tough to find the space and dry spell to clean it before summer. I definitely do my best to dry it in my tiny garage with some space heaters. I try to brush off any loose dirt once it's dry.
Post by: ghosthunter on November 10, 2022, 09:34:12 PM
Thank you for the info. Your wealth of knowledge and willingness to share is wonderful.
I take mine down after elk, but it's tough to find the space and dry spell to clean it before summer. I definitely do my best to dry it in my tiny garage with some space heaters. I try to brush off any loose dirt once it's dry.
I’d say that the best you can do this time of year. Set it up in summer and clean + dry. It will pay off with years more use or a higher price if you decide to sell it. :tup:
Post by: spin05 on December 03, 2022, 11:02:55 PM
Post by: aorams on December 04, 2022, 08:14:16 AM
Post by: snake on December 04, 2022, 01:53:56 PM
Post by: ghosthunter on December 04, 2022, 02:31:41 PM
has anyone ever tried cleaning them without setting them up? Like lay it out flat on a concrete slab and spray and brush off? So you have something solid behind it while you brush it. Mine is pretty dirty and has some mildew that gets a little worse every year. The mildew had started with the previous owner. Ive also thought about taking it to the lake and submerging it rolling it around under water. Not sure if that's a good idea or not. I think I need something little more aggressive than I can do with the tent set up? Any thoughts?
It’s a problem, I have read about folks putting them in one of those plastic kiddy pools and soaking them. But dang it will be about three or four times the weight. And how do ya handle that?
I guess I would put just the roof poles together if I had a concrete slab big enough ,soak it in the pool scrub and than drag it out on to the frame, after it dried some I would put the legs in place an clean it some more. :dunno:
Never done it that way. The big thing is getting it dry, hard to do if it’s not on the frame in a warm area. The mildew has to be treated with something to kill it.
Whole lot easier not to let it get that bad in the first place.
I never unroll my tents on bare ground , I put the ground tarp along side the frame, unroll on that and pull the canvas up over the frame left to right. Take it down the same way in reverse.
Let us know what works.
Post by: ghosthunter on December 04, 2022, 02:38:06 PM
https://www.pitchup.com/guides/tents/tent-care/mildew/#:~:text=Follow%20these%20steps%20to%20clean%20mould%20and%20mildew,completely%20in%20sunlight.%205%205.%20Repeat%20as%20necessary.
Post by: snake on December 04, 2022, 03:54:13 PM
you are right, it will be extremely heavy if I soak it. It is about 11x21. ive heard you can't stop the mildew once it starts. im not sure if that's true either. I've dried the tent and stored it for the winter in my garage. I think I'll take it out in the summer when its really hot out, then put a tarp down on my concrete slab and lay it flat and clean and brush it there. probably get some mold/mildew treatment from the wall tent shop. Probably let it lay on the slab for a day so the water drains off and it isn't so heavy. Then put it up on the frame and give it a final rinse.has anyone ever tried cleaning them without setting them up? Like lay it out flat on a concrete slab and spray and brush off? So you have something solid behind it while you brush it. Mine is pretty dirty and has some mildew that gets a little worse every year. The mildew had started with the previous owner. Ive also thought about taking it to the lake and submerging it rolling it around under water. Not sure if that's a good idea or not. I think I need something little more aggressive than I can do with the tent set up? Any thoughts?
It’s a problem, I have read about folks putting them in one of those plastic kiddy pools and soaking them. But dang it will be about three or four times the weight. And how do ya handle that?
I guess I would put just the roof poles together if I had a concrete slab big enough ,soak it in the pool scrub and than drag it out on to the frame, after it dried some I would put the legs in place an clean it some more. :dunno:
Never done it that way. The big thing is getting it dry, hard to do if it’s not on the frame in a warm area. The mildew has to be treated with something to kill it.
Whole lot easier not to let it get that bad in the first place.
I never unroll my tents on bare ground , I put the ground tarp along side the frame, unroll on that and pull the canvas up over the frame left to right. Take it down the same way in reverse.
Let us know what works.
Post by: ghosthunter on December 04, 2022, 05:02:31 PM
you are right, it will be extremely heavy if I soak it. It is about 11x21. ive heard you can't stop the mildew once it starts. im not sure if that's true either. I've dried the tent and stored it for the winter in my garage. I think I'll take it out in the summer when its really hot out, then put a tarp down on my concrete slab and lay it flat and clean and brush it there. probably get some mold/mildew treatment from the wall tent shop. Probably let it lay on the slab for a day so the water drains off and it isn't so heavy. Then put it up on the frame and give it a final rinse.has anyone ever tried cleaning them without setting them up? Like lay it out flat on a concrete slab and spray and brush off? So you have something solid behind it while you brush it. Mine is pretty dirty and has some mildew that gets a little worse every year. The mildew had started with the previous owner. Ive also thought about taking it to the lake and submerging it rolling it around under water. Not sure if that's a good idea or not. I think I need something little more aggressive than I can do with the tent set up? Any thoughts?
It’s a problem, I have read about folks putting them in one of those plastic kiddy pools and soaking them. But dang it will be about three or four times the weight. And how do ya handle that?
I guess I would put just the roof poles together if I had a concrete slab big enough ,soak it in the pool scrub and than drag it out on to the frame, after it dried some I would put the legs in place an clean it some more. :dunno:
Never done it that way. The big thing is getting it dry, hard to do if it’s not on the frame in a warm area. The mildew has to be treated with something to kill it.
Whole lot easier not to let it get that bad in the first place.
I never unroll my tents on bare ground , I put the ground tarp along side the frame, unroll on that and pull the canvas up over the frame left to right. Take it down the same way in reverse.
Let us know what works.
I think you will still have get air to it. It can still mildew under those conditions I think. Some how you have to get it lifted so air can get around the canvas. Hoist up with a tractor bucket, Throw a rope over a beam in the shop something to let the air around it after you wash it.
I would not let it lay on concrete wet. :twocents:
Post by: ghosthunter on December 04, 2022, 05:03:43 PM
Post by: snake on December 04, 2022, 06:20:49 PM
Post by: elksnout on December 04, 2022, 07:08:09 PM
elksnout
Post by: ghosthunter on December 04, 2022, 07:32:31 PM
yeah you're probably right about leaving it on concrete wet. I could probably figure out how to get it on the frame wet or at least get it hanging and maybe put some big fans on it. I have access to a lot of 36" fans. Im in Rathdrum
Yeah
Rathdrum little far or I would give you a hand.
Got a buddy who moved there 3 years ago. Nice little town.
Post by: snake on December 04, 2022, 08:37:13 PM
I'll get it figured out. Thanks anyway. Its a nice town but the population has probably quadrupled in the last year and a half.yeah you're probably right about leaving it on concrete wet. I could probably figure out how to get it on the frame wet or at least get it hanging and maybe put some big fans on it. I have access to a lot of 36" fans. Im in Rathdrum
Yeah
Rathdrum little far or I would give you a hand.
Got a buddy who moved there 3 years ago. Nice little town.
Anyone ever try pressure washer on their tent? I would obviously be extremely careful.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on December 04, 2022, 08:56:53 PM
I’ve washed with Dawn in big tub to cut mildew after spray cleaning. Had a galvanized tub - just worked it thru didn’t fit all in at once.
Post by: snake on December 05, 2022, 06:51:16 PM
When muddy I’ve pressure washed on driveway and then hang from wall corners from rafters. Easier though to hang in shop and pressure wash while hung. Lil messy. Rope closeline outside between trees - tractor may be better.
I’ve washed with Dawn in big tub to cut mildew after spray cleaning. Had a galvanized tub - just worked it thru didn’t fit all in at once.
that's great advice. I might try to submerge mine one way or another.