Old Canvas Tent Smell

Robbie

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
1,463
1
NOVA
Ok, I have a large old canvas tent that was bequeathed to me after our "after college graduation bachelor house" dissolved. I don't think this thing has been opened or set-up in 10+ years. I set it up last night in anticipation of a camping trip in a few weeks and it reeks to high heaven. Tried dowsing it in febreeze last night and wondering if anyone has any other recommendations on how to tone it down? I will probably leave it set-up to air for a few days, but it actually smells so bad that I can smell it from out front of the house, and we are a middle unit in a row of townhouses. Nice, very large tent, with everthing still intact, so would hate to toss it, but will if noone thinks it can be saved. Thanks!

-Robbie
 
C

cmondieyoung

Guest
Mix a light bleach solution with water and put it in a squirt bottle... try lightly spritzing down the walls and wiping it clean after an hour or so.

It's probably just full of mold.
 

RoverChic

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
1,446
0
den Haag
Same hear Robbie .. ..My mom said to use some Tide or Downy in a spray bottle 50/50 (tide with Water) ..I found the tent a couple days ago after I moved. It still works and all just smells really bad and musky. We tried to take some lysol to it for the smell however that did not do anything. I will try the Downy mix and get back with results if any...
 

bri

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
6,178
152
US
My guess is that downy or tide don't do much at all unless you really get in there with a brush and scrub away.

Bleach may be a decent cleaner and odor killer, but could further destroy the fabric.

One thing I thougth of was an enzyme cleaner like pets miracle, typically used for animal smells, but maybe worth a try.

After cleaning really tough like that you may need to waterproof it again.

If the fabric is brittle or stuiff, you may be screwed.

Brian
 

Robbie

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
1,463
1
NOVA
thanks all, gonna give it a try with a few different things tonight. honestly, just having it air out is helping quite a bit as well. just add some elbow grease to the mix and i might be able to make it liveable. thanks again!
 

RoverChic

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
1,446
0
den Haag
It is Natures Miracle..Hey Bri ~ Where do you find this stuff @? I checked Petsmart and they were like huh ?? I also checked the local DrugStore (Walgreens and Eckerds)..No luck there either. Thanks, Melissa
 

bri

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
6,178
152
US
Me thinks the people at petsmart were just clueless. I just checked the web site and it is there, so I can't imagine that they really do not have it. That kind of stuff I nearly always get at petsmart. Call around.

It has been a while since I bought some though.

Aren't there usually Petco's accross the street from Petsmart, maybe try there.

;-)

Brian
 

RoverChic

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
1,446
0
den Haag
"Me thinks the people at petsmart were just clueless ". ..Me too she got this glazed over look when asked for some of the Nature Miracle ..I might try another location though..I am not sure what a PetCo is?? I am in Oklahoma ...Not much here but Cowboys n' Indians ;)