Canvas Wall Tent Cleaning Question

[jaredwitman]

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.

[KFhunter]

I dunno, but I'd use fire retardant stuff

[follow maggie]

I just brush the dirt off with a soft brush, make sure it’s dry & put it away.

[huntnfmly]

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

[ghosthunter]

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.

[Slamadoo]

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.

[ghosthunter]

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.

[ghosthunter]

Which one would you buy? If looking for a used tent.

[ghosthunter]

Or

[ghosthunter]

https://www.canvascamp.com/en/blog/canvas-tent-maintenance?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=organic



https://blog.whiteduckoutdoors.com/a-quick-guide-to-taking-care-of-your-canvas-wall-tents-before-and-after-use

[Slamadoo]

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.

[ghosthunter]

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.

[spin05]

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

[aorams]

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!

[snake]

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?