Musty Tent

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Author Message   Ron Ward (Ronward) Senior Member Username: Ronward Post Number: 350 Registered: 02-2002 Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 03:56 pm:    Packed my tent up at MAR and forgot about it. Opened it up today and wow does it stink. I know I put it up wet and I shouldn't have. Does anyone know of a good way to de-funk a nylon tent? It's in the dryer on "air fluff" right now...   Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 158 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 04:01 pm:    Got to wash it before you dry, or air fluf, it. Why not just put it in the machine on delicate. Or hose it down outside.   Jeremy Katka (Jkatka) Senior Member Username: Jkatka Post Number: 273 Registered: 02-2002 Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 05:55 pm:    I found CampSuds Downe fabric wash to work well for washing tents and jackets. Then Air tumble or let it dry in the garage (if not freezing) works quite well. JK   Lewis Jones (Cutter) Member Username: Cutter Post Number: 48 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 09:24 pm:    I have a pop-up that I take my dogs camping in, and it always has a 'nice' smell when I get back. I pour vinegar in a pie pan and let it evaporate and it takes the smell out. And, no it doesn't smell like vinegar inside. Boat shops have stuff and if you can find a shop that cleans up smoke damaged buildings (ask a fireman) they will have good stuff too. I use vinegar 'cuz i'm kinda cheap BTW it works when you have musty carpet in your rig, too.   Porter Mann (Porter) Member Username: Porter Post Number: 81 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 07:35 am:    If you have a fly and body design, I would not recommend putting it in the washing machine, since the fly has a coating on the inside that can be damaged. If you do decide to use a washing machine - at least use a commercial unit that doesn't have a center agitator. I would recommend using an 10% bleach solution to kill the fungus/bacteria that's been breeding in the tent, rinse it all off, and then allow it to dry. You may have some staining from the fungus/bacteria in the form of green and black spots. Unless you kill the fungus, you'll have a problem the next time it gets wet again. Fungus become spores when conditions are not right (dry, cold), and start to grow as soon as they get water on them again. Same reason carpets get funky and AC vents get musky smell when wet.