Tent cleaning-non canvas

[lpcjon2]

Whats the best method for cleaning a tent that is not canvas. What soap do you use if any.Thanks

[Pete McMiller]

Beyond brushing any leaves or dirt off or letting it sit out in the rain, I never have.  Did you spill something on it?  Why do you need to clean it?

[lpcjon2]

It was sitting in the basement in a rubbermaid container for a few years and has a little musty smell to it. I wanted to clean it and make sure no mold is on it.

[Pete McMiller]

I guess what I would do is set it up out in the sun to see if it really has mold on it.  The sun can kill off a lot of what might be on there.  Also, mold is killed by acidic solutions such as vinager but that would leave a worse order IMO.  I suppose dish soap might be OK but I'd be worried about any 'cleaning' product doing some damage to whatever was used to waterproof the tent.  Then again it is a non-canvas tent so dish soap would probably be OK.  You could also check with the manufacturer and use their recomendations.

[lpcjon2]

Thanks Pete I guess I will set it up and see. I know the vinegar and water mix is good foe a lot of cleaning situations, Maybe I could ad something to help with the smell of it if I use it.

[tim roberts]

As mentioned above, set it up in the sun and if there is any mold, or it smells moldy, a bleach water solution will take care of it. Scrub it down inside and out then rinse a couple of times with just water, leave set up until dry. With winter being with us it may not be possible to do this for awhile, until it is un roll it and leave it Spread out on the floor, that will help it dry out and will remove a bit of the odor.  Yes I put a tent away damp one year..........

[lpcjon2]

Thanks tim

[kbertsch]

I would'nt use bleach, 1st I would set it up and let the sun beat down on it for a while then turn it inside out and let the sun do its job. After hearing of this I tried it out on an expensive mattress that was in a camper I bought, after a couple of weeks in the hot sun the stains an oders where gone.

[58WINTERS]

Log on to the North Face website. they have info about cleaning nylon tents.  Tough to get rid of the mildew once it starts.  I wouldn't use bleach until I checked their recommendations.

[Sam McMichael]

Would Lysol spray damage the fabric? If not, I would spray it with that and leave it standing outside for a few days to air out.

[58WINTERS]

The North Face sight product care goes through a process starting with a mild soap solution, diluted Lysol solution, salt,water and lemon juice solution in specific qtys. Mildew grows between the water proof coating and the nylon it can be stopped but the damage is permanent per the web site.

[dingas]

Believe it or not I have actually put a nylon tent in the washing machine before... two separate tents acually. I used Pink Solution as soap. Got it at Costco. All natural. Gentle cycle and you will need to re waterproof it. Set it up in the sun to dry.

[lpcjon2]

I went on the North face website and couldnt find any care and cleaning instructions. Does anyone have a link

[58WINTERS]

I googled north face then scroll down until you see a light grey box on the right: Customer Service click on product care, scroll down until you see tent care. If you still can't find it let me know and I will post it here for you. I'm computer challenged. Probably away to get it easier but not by me.
58

[lpcjon2]

Thanks Bob