What's the proper way to wash a tent?

[diablo_stallion3]

Earlier this summer I picked up an Eddie Bauer 10'x10' tent for $35. I thought it was a really good deal, but what the seller didn't tell me is that one of the zippers is separating from the surrounding material (not a big deal, I'll take it to a canvas shop to get it fixed) and that the tent smells like cat pee. I'm wondering, can I take it to a laundromat and wash the entire tent on an easy cycle, then set it up for a few days to air dry? Another idea that I think *might* work, is to fill a bucket with warm soapy water, soak the tent for a couple hours, then rinse it off in another bucket (with just water in it) and then set it up. Would either of these ideas work? Or am I going to have to scrub the whole thing inside and out?

Afterthought, would leaving it set up for about a week to air out get rid of the smell?

[renodesertfox]

Howdy diablo stallion3(ds3),

Here's my two cents on cleaning tents. Part 1 is on mildew and part two is about smelly tents. Remember one should never use a washing machine.

Mildew Cleaning Tips
A musty odor, and/or small cross-shaped spots on the tent fabric indicate mildew formation. Mildew, a fungus spore, requires a dark, warm, moist environment to grow. Mildew uses the dirt and soil found on many tents as nutrients to grow and reproduce. This fungus actually penetrates the urethane coating of the tent fabric and grows between the tent fabric and coating, eventually lifting the coating from the fabric. Waterproofness is thus lost and the fabric is eventually destroyed.

Should mildew begin to form, immediate action can be taken to retard further growth. Wash the tent as instructed above. Next, sponge-wipe the tent with a dilute solution of McNett MiraZyme. Sponge over the affected areas and allow to air dry, out of direct sunlight, without rinsing. This will kill the mildew on the tent, and prevent it from getting worse, but it will not remove the mildew marks.

My Tent Smells
If your tent has developed a bad odor it is probably due to an advanced case of mildew, which can cause the urethane coating on tent fabric to break down and start to delaminate. Because of this, washing your tent can cause the deteriorated coating to peel off completely, so proceed with caution. Sponging the tent floor is likely to be the kindest way to clean your tent. If the mildew advances and the coating begins to peel, further measures can be taken to kill the fungus and retard the process. However, the damage that has already been done cannot be reversed. Prepare the following solution after washing the tent as previously instructed:
1 cup of salt
1 cup lemon juice (concentrated)
1 gallon hot water.
Rub the solution into visible mildew. Set up the tent with the affected areas facing the sun. Allow to dry. Once dry, remove all peeling coating. Apply a coat of McNett Tent Sure to the areas where the coating has peeled. This will help restore water repellency. (For more information on McNett Mirazyme and McNett Tentsure visit www.mcnett.com

REI offers steps to eliminate mildew:
• Perform light scrubbing with a sponge during a regular cleaning session.
• If mildew still remains, mix 1/2 cup of Lysol in 1 gallon of hot water.
• Dip a sponge in the solution. Use it to lightly but thoroughly scrub mildew-afflicted areas.
• Set up the tent and allow it to air dry.
• Then mix 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of concentrated lemon juice with 1 gallon of hot water. Rub the solution into the visible mildew, repeat and then allow the tent to dry a second time.
Welcome to the best camping boards around. Hope this helps? And that your stay with us will be a long and happy journey sharing experiences about camping, under the stars, in a tent, a trailer, or an RV. At least your camping!

[diablo_stallion3]

Thanks for the info! I'm going camping this weekend, I'll wash it then!