Tenting can get fairly soiled.
I can’t depend what number of instances I’ve come dwelling from a tenting journey with nearly every little thing I took coated in mud, grime, mud and different bits and items of vegetation.
So when you’re throwing the remainder of your stuff within the washer, you is perhaps tempted to chuck your tent in there as properly to present it wash.
However is that this a good suggestion?
Are you able to wash a tent in a entrance load washer?
Or any sort of washer for that matter?
Effectively, sure and no.
On this article, I’m going to let you know every little thing it is advisable to know concerning the dangers and risks of washing a tent in a washer. I’ll additionally go over find out how to wash a tent the safer approach, and the way typically you need to wash your tent to maintain it recent and clear on a regular basis.
Let’s get began!
Can You Wash A Tent In A Entrance Loading Washing Machine?
Technically, you possibly can wash most tents in a entrance loading washer.
Nonetheless, you actually shouldn’t.
Whereas the benefit of loading your tent into the machine and getting it good and squeaky clear on the push of a button is perhaps tempting – strive to withstand the urge.
Washing your tent within the machine may cause extreme harm that you simply received’t be capable of restore. If it’s an costly tent, I’m certain you received’t be too thrilled if you find yourself having to throw it within the trash. And that’s a really potential situation when you select to threat machine washing your tent.
If the washing directions in your tent explicitly state to not machine wash it, I personally wouldn’t threat it.
Now, I acknowledge that not everybody goes to take that recommendation on board. Some folks will learn this and nonetheless determine to run it by the machine and hope for one of the best.
And I’m not going to lie – it might come out fully tremendous.
Or it might come out fully destroyed.
That’s the chance you’re taking.
For those who do determine to go forward and machine wash your tent, guarantee that it’s a entrance load washer and never a high load machine. Prime load machines use agitators or impellers that’ll virtually definitely harm the fabric in your tent.
You also needs to at all times guarantee that your tent has sufficient room contained in the machine. Outsized, industrial entrance load washing machines are your finest wager, if yow will discover one. Put the tent in by itself, with none garments or different laundry.
Run your tent by a delicate cycle on the lowest potential temperature, with a sluggish spin cycle. The cycle for delicates like wool or silk is an efficient method to go.
And, lastly, make certain to make use of a delicate, non-detergent cleaning soap that received’t be too harsh on the tent cloth. Nikwax Tech Wash is an efficient choice.
What’s The Greatest Manner To Wash A Tent?
For those who don’t wish to threat damaging your tent within the washer, the easiest way to get it trying clear and sparkly once more is by hand washing it.
To do that, you’re going to want the next objects:
- A big bucket or bathtub
- A light, non-detergent cleaning soap
- A sponge and a mushy bristle brush
- A supply of operating water like a backyard hose or faucet
Giving your tent , thorough wash by hand is easy.
All you must do is observe these straightforward steps:
Step 1: Fill Your Bucket Or Tub
Fill your bucket or tub with water and add some delicate cleaning soap to get some bubbles taking place. A couple of drops needs to be sufficient. For those who put an excessive amount of cleaning soap in, it’ll take perpetually to rinse your tent out afterwards.
I like to recommend utilizing chilly water. In case your tent is extraordinarily soiled, you should use lukewarm to heat water, however make certain it isn’t too heat or it would harm the tent cloth.
Step 2: Soak Your Tent
Subsequent, place your tent contained in the bucket or tub and submerge it fully within the soapy water.
Give it swish round to verify each nook and cranny will get moist.
Let it sit within the water and soak for a few minutes earlier than you proceed to the following step.
Step 3: Scrub The Surfaces
Take your sponge and provides all the tent scrub inside and outside.
For those who’re utilizing a sponge that has an abrasive aspect, use the non-abrasive aspect so that you simply don’t scratch the material of your tent.
Step 4: Spot Clear Drawback Areas
If there are any elements of your tent which can be notably soiled or stained, use a mushy bristle brush and a few further cleaning soap to identify clear these areas.
You can too use a mushy bristle toothbrush for this step.
Whichever type of brush you’re utilizing, simply guarantee that the bristles are tremendous mushy. Laborious bristles might scratch and even rip your tent, and also you don’t need that.
Step 5: Rinse Completely
When you’ve given the tent , thorough scrub and also you’re glad, drain the water out of your bucket or tub.
Run the tent underneath operating water till you’ve washed the entire cleaning soap out. For those who by accident put an excessive amount of cleaning soap in your water, this might take some time. Nevertheless it’s vital that you simply maintain rinsing till there are not any extra bubbles.
Step 6: Air Dry
Lastly, hold your tent as much as air dry.
By no means put it in a dryer – it virtually definitely received’t survive.
Keep away from hanging your tent up in direct daylight. As a substitute, discover a shady spot away from the solar’s harsh UV rays.
And final, however positively not least – at all times guarantee that your tent is totally dry earlier than you retailer it away. If there’s any moisture left within the cloth while you pack it away, it’ll be coated in mould then subsequent time you pull it out of storage. Peeuw!
How Typically Ought to You Wash Your Tent?
The much less ceaselessly, the higher.
Washing your tent by hand is the easiest way to do it, however you positively don’t wish to be doing this on a regular basis. Overdoing it may well trigger your tent to put on down faster than it ought to, and it may well reduce down its lifespan by fairly a bit in the long term.
As a substitute, attempt to maintain your tent as clear as potential, so that you simply don’t have to clean it as typically.
Keep away from sporting footwear or consuming meals inside your tent, and at all times be sure to use a footprint or groundsheet to guard your tent flooring and maintain it clear and dry.
I wish to dampen the skin of my tent on the finish of a tenting journey. It is a good method to give it a fast clear, with out the chance of damaging it.
Simply just remember to give it sufficient time to dry out fully earlier than you pack it away.
What’s Subsequent?
So, there you will have it.
Washing your tent within the washer is rarely a good suggestion. However, when you completely must – make certain it’s an outsized entrance load washer.
In any other case, you’re significantly better off washing your tent by hand.
To learn the way to take away mould from a canvas tent, try this text we wrote. It’ll present you 4 nice strategies to get your moldy tent trying like new once more.
