Follow our simple 6-step guide to cleaning your tent & get it looking like new. Our camping pros share their top tips & product recommendations for tent maintenance.

So you've come home from your camping trip, and your tent is dirty and in need of a refresh. Trying to wash your tent is a daunting task that you might be tempted to put off, but that'll only make things worse!

Washing your tent doesn't have to be a huge task. With our helpful step-by-step guide, cleaning your tent will be a breeze, making your next adventure much more enjoyable and extending the life of your gear to get the most value out of it.

Do's	Don'ts
Do air out the tent after each trip to prevent mildew & bad odours	Don't machine wash your tent, as it can damage the fabric, coatings, & seams
Do use mild, non-detergent soap for cleaning. Harsh detergents can damage the waterproof coatings	Don't use bleach or harsh chemical cleaners, as they can degrade the fabric
Do clean the zippers with a toothbrush to keep them free of dirt & sand, which can cause wear	Don't dry the tent in a dryer; the heat can melt the fabrics & coatings
Do spot-clean your tent as needed with a sponge, cold water, & mild soap	Don't store the tent wet or damp to avoid mildew & fabric damage
Do thoroughly dry the tent before storing it to prevent mould & mildew	Don't store the tent in a compression sack for long periods, as it can stress the fabric & seams
Do use a groundsheet under your tent to protect it from dirt & abrasion	Don't ignore small rips or tears; repair them as soon as possible to prevent further damage
Do reapply water-repellent treatments as needed to maintain waterproofness	Don't expose the tent to prolonged direct sunlight, as UV rays can weaken the fabric

The Best Time to Clean Your Tent

Ideally, the best time to clean your tent is immediately following your trip. Putting off the wash allows dirt, grime, and any unwelcome odours to settle into the fabric, making them harder to remove later and potentially causing long-term damage.

You don't necessarily need to wash your tent after every trip. We'd recommend washing it every few trips or after particularly messy adventures.

With that being said, we definitely recommend airing your tent out after each trip to allow dew to dry, preventing mildew and mould.

Our Tent Cleaning Essentials

To keep your tent in the best possible condition, you're going to need the right tools for the job. 

Most of the things you'll need to keep your tent clean and ready for your next adventure are household staples you'll already have, with only a couple of specialist products for the best results.

Our tent care essentials are:

• Lukewarm water
• Mild fragrance-free dish soap
• Non-abrasive sponge or cloth
• Bathtub or other large tub
• Outdoor gear cleaner (We love Nikwax Tech Wash® or the Storm Ultimate Tent Care Kit)

How to Clean Your Tent: Step-By-Step

Once you’ve got all the cleaning products and tools on hand, you can get to work on giving your tent some much-needed TLC.

We’ve laid out our 6 simple steps to effectively clean your tent and get it looking like new again…

1. Prep Your Tent

The first step in cleaning your tent is to prep it. This involves opening your tent fully in your garden or garage.

Unzip all the doors, interior rooms, windows, and any other flaps your tent has. This will make the cleaning process more effective.

Finally, turn your tent inside out so the water can penetrate all the nooks and crannies of the inner seams.

If you don't have enough space to do this at home, make this step part of your packing down process at the end of your camping trips.

2. Spot-Clean the Worst Bits

Before you dive into cleaning the whole tent, it's important to spot-clean any particularly dirty areas. This could be patches of mud on the bottom, tree sap, or even mould* that's developed since packing your tent down.

Use lukewarm water with mild dish soap and a non-abrasive sponge to gently remove any excess dirt from your tent.

If these patches are particularly stubborn, don't scrub them too harshly. Instead, proceed to the next step and revisit these spots before drying your tent.

*Check out our detailed tips for removing tree sap and mould below!

3. Soak Your Tent

Once the worst spots have been cleaned, it's time to soak your tent in your bathtub or other large tub.

Fill the tub with lukewarm water and add your chosen tent cleaner. 

We always use the Nikwax Tech Wash® for its incredible cleaning power and ease of use. Make sure you follow the instructions for your chosen cleaner, so you're adding the right amount of product to the water.

Submerge your tent in the water fully. We find that dunking the whole tent and then lifting and dunking a few times helps ensure the water gets into all the folds and flaps.

Leave the tent to soak in the cleaning mixture for as long as recommended on your cleaning product.

4. Rinse Your Tent

After your tent has soaked for a while, it's time to rinse it. Let the water drain from the tub, moving the tent around to ensure there isn't any trapped water in a fold.

Fill the tub back up with fresh water and swill the tent around as much as possible so it gets all through the tent.

Drain the water again and repeat the rinsing process 2-3 more times.

5. Re-Waterproof Your Tent (optional)

If your tent features a waterproof outer coating, it's important to refresh this after you wash it. Skipping this step can make your tent susceptible to damage when used in wet conditions.

We recommend using the Nikwax TX Direct Spray-on or Wash-in products.

With the spray-on version, simply spray the waterproofing onto the outside of your tent, making sure it's fully covered for full waterproofing.

If you're using the wash-in version, fill your tub back up, add the recommended amount of wash-in waterproofing and soak your tent again for 10-15 minutes. 

Agitate the tent in the water for the most effective results. Then, rinse the tent until the water runs clear.

6. Wring & Dry the Tent

Wring out your tent as best as you can. This step is easier if you have someone to help you twist the tent and squeeze out as much excess water as possible.

Let your tent air dry outside. You can either erect the tent to help it dry or hang it on a washing line. 

If you opt for the washing line, make sure you spread the tent out as much as possible and flip it to help the underside dry.

Don't pack your tent away until it's completely dry to avoid mould and mildew.

How to Clean Your Tent Outside

If you don't have access to a tub large enough to submerge your tent, you can clean your tent outside instead.

1. Repeat the prep and spot clean steps for this method.
2. Then, hose down the outside of the tent. Make sure it's completely saturated.
3. Add diluted Nikwax Tech Wash to a spray bottle and cover the exterior and interior of the tent.
4. Wipe away the cleaning solution with a damp sponge, then rinse the tent with the hose.
5. Dry your tent on your washing line, or keep it pitched and open to let it air out.

Cleaning a Camping Tent With Mould

If you have discovered mould on your tent, either from it being stored away for a long time or from getting wet while camping, it's important to clean it properly before using it again. 

Mould not only looks unsightly, but it can also cause health issues if left unchecked.

1. To tackle mould, start by mixing a solution of lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free detergent. 
2. For stubborn mould spots, add a small amount of lemon juice and salt to the mixture. This natural combination can help to break down the mould without damaging the tent fabric.
3. Apply the solution to the affected areas using a soft brush and gently scrub to remove the mould. 
4. After treating the mouldy spots, rinse the tent thoroughly with clean water to remove any residue and proceed with the regular cleaning steps as outlined above.

To prevent mould, make sure you're airing your tent out properly when returning from trips, and never pack it away damp after cleaning.

Avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals, as these can degrade the tent material and affect its waterproofing capabilities.

Removing Tree Sap From a Tent

Removing tree sap from a tent can be a tricky task, but with the right approach, you can get your tent looking its best again. 

The key is to act gently and avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage the tent fabric. Here's how to do it:

1. Cool the Sap: If the sap is still gooey, placing some ice in a plastic bag and resting it on the sap can harden it, making it easier to remove.
2. Scrape Off Excess: Once hardened, gently use the edge of a spoon or a blunt knife to scrape off as much sap as possible. Be careful not to tear the fabric.
3. Apply a Sap Remover: For the residue, using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser or rubbing alcohol on a cloth can be effective. Gently dab at the sap until it begins to lift. Specialist tree sap removers can also be used but follow the instructions on the product.
4. Rinse: Once the sap has been removed, rinse the area with clean water to remove any leftover sanitiser or solvent.
5. Wash Tent Normally: Follow the normal instructions for washing your tent, as outlined in the previous sections, to remove any residual cleaning products.

Before using any product on your tent, it's advisable to test it on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it does not damage the material.

Summary: Extend the Life of Your Kit with Tent Care

Maintaining your tent with proper care and regular cleaning is essential for every camper who wants to ensure their gear lasts through many adventures. 

By following our steps, not only do you protect your investment, but you also enhance your camping experience with gear that's always ready for the great outdoors.

Explore more of our camping tips and recommendations on our blog, where we share a wealth of knowledge on making the most of your outdoor adventures.

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