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Author Topic: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question  (Read 4974 times)

Offline jaredwitman

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Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« on: November 10, 2022, 02:47:46 PM »
Our canvas wall tent took a pounding this season. Absolutely filthy...

Any recommendations on cleaning? Good things to try/bad experiences, etc?

EDIT:

Include any waterproofing advice you might have as well.


Offline KFhunter

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2022, 03:46:08 PM »
I dunno, but I'd use fire retardant stuff

Offline follow maggie

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2022, 06:11:03 PM »
I just brush the dirt off with a soft brush, make sure it’s dry & put it away.

Offline huntnfmly

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #3 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
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Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2022, 06:51:01 PM »
I wash my tents every summer. I wet down, use soft brush, and dawn soap in warm water.
Do one side rinse with pressure nozzle on hose.repeat. Final rinse. Leave on frame till dry.


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Offline Slamadoo

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2022, 07:23:04 PM »
Is it really that important to clean them? I feel like mine always has a little bit of dirt around the bottom of the walls when I store it.

Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2022, 08:00:28 PM »
Dirt can hold moisture which could cause mildew. Mine are not spotless and I work at it. But it is amazing how much dirt will just run off them with a garden hose. And I fly mine every time I put them up.

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.
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Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2022, 08:11:10 PM »
Which one would you buy? If looking for a used tent.
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2022, 08:14:56 PM »
Or
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
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Offline ghosthunter

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We are all traveling from Birth to the Packing House. ( Broken Trail)

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2022, 08:47:28 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.

Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #11 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:
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
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We are all traveling from Birth to the Packing House. ( Broken Trail)

“I f he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Offline spin05

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #12 on: December 03, 2022, 11:02:55 PM »
I believe Davis tents reccomends using Woollight,  Ya dont want a harsh detergent especially if like mine it has a fire retardant on it and a mildew retardant

Offline aorams

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #13 on: December 04, 2022, 08:14:16 AM »
We took ghost hunters recommendation of washing the tent (prudently) this year after years of following the manufacturer’s recommendation of lightly brushing off the tent and it’s never looked better!

Offline snake

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #14 on: December 04, 2022, 01:53:56 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?

Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #15 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.
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Offline ghosthunter

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Offline snake

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #17 on: December 04, 2022, 03:54:13 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.
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.

Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #18 on: December 04, 2022, 05:02:31 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.
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.

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:
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
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We are all traveling from Birth to the Packing House. ( Broken Trail)

“I f he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #19 on: December 04, 2022, 05:03:43 PM »
Where you located?
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
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We are all traveling from Birth to the Packing House. ( Broken Trail)

“I f he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Offline snake

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #20 on: December 04, 2022, 06:20:49 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

Offline elksnout

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #21 on: December 04, 2022, 07:08:09 PM »
Hang from rafters up off floor until the canvas is potato chip dry. While still hanging and during folding up of tent vacuum tent with shop vac and the brush attachment. Been doing that for years. Works well and tent isn’t stored dirty.


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Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #22 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.

GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
Proud Parent of A United States Marine

We are all traveling from Birth to the Packing House. ( Broken Trail)

“I f he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Offline snake

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #23 on: December 04, 2022, 08:37:13 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.
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.
Anyone ever try pressure washer on their tent?  I would obviously be extremely careful.

Offline Magnum_Willys

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #24 on: December 04, 2022, 08:56:53 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. 

Offline snake

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Re: Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question
« Reply #25 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.

 


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