How To Clean a Canvas Tent

The best way to explain the process (and there are a few of the finer points that people obviously disagree on) is to give the basic points step by step, and then delve into each step when needed. These first steps assume that there is no mold or mildew. If you have any questions, please skip to the next section.

How to clean a canvas tent step by step:
(If possible) lie in a sunny place
Use a soft brush to wipe any dry dust or dirt on the tent
This is the demolding step-skip to the next section to learn more
Scrub the canvas tent with water or water-vinegar solution
Rinse with cold water
Repeat these steps as needed
Completely dry
Step 1: Lay tent out in a sunny place
Finding a sunny place is crucial because even when you are cleaning a canvas tent, you want it to dry as quickly as possible. You don't want the canvas to stay damp or cool. You want it to dry out quickly.



Step 2: Dry brush the dust or dirt off the canvas tent
Before touching your canvas tent, be sure to wipe off loose debris, dust, or dirt with a soft bristle brush. Basically, any dirt or debris you want to remove before any water touches the canvas. It is very important that the brush is soft bristles, not hard thistles.
If necessary, you can check the tent twice, but make sure to clean everything up before going to the cleaning phase.
Step 3: Check for mold, mildew, or deep stains
This is very important. Canvas may be a little prone to mold, mildew, or damage-induced stains, especially if it is used for a long period of time. The older the tent, the more likely this is to become a problem.
Step 4: Wash with warm water mixture
Use a soft brush to clean the tent. The recommended mixture is warm water and white vinegar. This method works well and avoids the potential problems that may be caused by detergents. Although a mixture of liquid soap and water can be used, if you are going in this direction, use a weaker end soap. You don't want anything harsh or strong. Avoid bleach, avoid harsh soaps or detergents, and use warm water at most-you don't want hot water.
Step 5: Rinse with cold water
After thorough washing and scrubbing, rinse with cold water. You don't want to get soap or residue on the canvas. You need to rinse these things off thoroughly to make sure that only water is left on the canvas.
Step 6: Dry in the sun
The quicker it can dry out the better, and having a small patch of dry ground in direct sunlight is absolutely ideal. Drying out these canvas tents will help protect the cotton and prevent mold or mildew from occupying it. Don't skip or shorten this step!
Step 7: Repeat as needed
If there are still signs of mold, mildew, or dirt, repeat the process as needed. Keep in mind that canvas tents are not known for maintaining their perfect appearance for long periods of time, but if they are properly taken care of, they can be kept in good condition.
Recommended step 8: waterproof
Once the cleaning is complete, it is a good time to apply to waterproof, and especially bring care to parts of the tent that may have been damaged by mold or time.

Canvas Tent Maintenance

Want to know some tips for caring for your tent? When you buy a tent for the first time, learn how to take care of it, how to store it, and what to do every 3-6 months to keep the best performance possible for your tent.

Tent storage
Mold, rats, and mites are the biggest threats to storage tents. When not in use, please follow the tent storage guidelines below to protect your tent.

Never get your tent wet!
Your tent, floor coverings, and lanyards must be completely dry before you can put them in the bag. If you must dismantle the tent when it is wet, you can fold it loosely for transportation, and then spread it out to dry within 24 hours. If it can't be dried outdoors, take it indoors to dry before packing it up.

Pack your tent clean
Moisture contained in vegetation and dirt can breed mold. Sweep the tent inside and out, then pack it.



Store it high and dry
Put the packed tent in a cool and dry place and avoid storing it in a damp basement. Do not place tents on the floors of garages and warehouses, as these areas may be flooded by rain or become puddles.

Long-term storage
If you want to store the tent for a long time or put the tent in a place where rats and bugs are infested, consider putting the tent in a large, clean plastic trash bin with a lid.

Cleaning a tent
Frequent cleaning and reprocessing of your tent can increase the life of your tent and is an essential part of maintenance. Environmental factors, such as humidity, UV exposure, airborne particles from vegetation, and mold spores, can vary greatly from location to location. Canvas tent supplier recommends cleaning and retreating the tent after 3-6 months of use, however, depending on your environment, you may need to clean it more or less. Always find problems with cleanliness and retreat because of need.
It is important to deal with any mold and mildew immediately to kill the spores and prevent them from spreading. Once the canvas becomes moldy, it is almost impossible to remove the stain.

How to clean a canvas tent
Clean the tent and prepare for reprocessing. Dry mud or dirt can be brushed off with a soft brush. You need a hose, bucket, soft brush or sponge, cleaning solution, and reprocessing solution.
Mix 4 parts water and 1 part vinegar to kill mold, or use a cleaning product for a canvas of your choice.
Unfold your tent, nail the moisture-proof cloth with wooden stakes, and remove all dust, dirt, and particles with a clean broom or vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
Hose down the tent.
Use a soft brush or sponge to gently clean the fabric with an appropriate solution, and rinse while washing. Start from the peak and continue to the bottom. It may be helpful to set up a tent after clearing the hard-to-reach areas at the top.
Rinse. Then rinse again. Make sure to remove any remaining cleaning solution.
Let the tent dry completely before retreating.

(Re)waterproof
After cleaning, the canvas must be moved back to keep it waterproof, mildew, and UV resistant. Most solutions are sold as waterproofing treatments, however, they also provide protection from sun and dirt, which can degrade fabrics and limit the natural waterproofing capabilities of high-quality canvas fabrics. You can use a variety of different processing methods according to your personal preferences.

How to retreat a canvas tent
Make sure the canvas is dry and clean.
Use sprayers, plant sprayers, or paint rollers to widely apply reprocessing products. Follow the instructions recommended by the manufacturer of the product you are using.
Allow drying completely before storing. Repeat if necessary.