Camping can get fairly soiled.
I can’t depend what number of occasions I’ve come house from a tenting journey with nearly all the things I took coated in mud, dust, mud and different bits and items of vegetation.
So when you’re throwing the remainder of your stuff within the washer, you may be tempted to chuck your tent in there as nicely to offer it an excellent wash.
But is that this a good suggestion?
Can you wash a tent in a entrance load washer?
Or any sort of washer for that matter?
Well, sure and no.
In this text, I’m going to inform you all the things it is advisable to know concerning the dangers and risks of washing a tent in a washer. I’ll additionally go over tips on how to wash a tent the safer approach, and the way typically it’s best to wash your tent to maintain it contemporary and clear on a regular basis.
Let’s get began!
Can You Wash A Tent In A Front Loading Washing Machine?
Technically, you’ll be able to wash most tents in a entrance loading washer.
However, you actually shouldn’t.
While the convenience of loading your tent into the machine and getting it good and squeaky clear on the push of a button may be tempting – strive to withstand the urge.
Washing your tent within the machine could cause extreme harm that you just gained’t have the ability to restore. If it’s an costly tent, I’m positive you gained’t be too thrilled if you find yourself having to throw it within the trash. And that’s a really attainable situation when you select to danger machine washing your tent.
If the washing directions in your tent explicitly state to not machine wash it, I personally wouldn’t danger 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 via the machine and hope for the very best.
And I’m not going to lie – it may come out fully nice.
Or it may come out fully destroyed.
That’s the chance you’re taking.
If you do determine to go forward and machine wash your tent, make it possible for it’s a entrance load washer and never a prime load machine. Top load machines use agitators or impellers that’ll virtually definitely harm the fabric in your tent.
You must also at all times make it possible for your tent has sufficient room contained in the machine. Oversized, industrial entrance load washing machines are your finest wager, if you could find one. Put the tent in by itself, with none garments or different laundry.
Run your tent via a delicate cycle on the lowest attainable temperature, with a gradual spin cycle. The cycle for delicates like wool or silk is an efficient approach to go.
And, lastly, make certain to make use of a delicate, non-detergent cleaning soap that gained’t be too harsh on the tent material. Nikwax Tech Wash is an efficient choice.
What’s The Best Way To Wash A Tent?
If you don’t wish to danger damaging your tent within the washer, one of the simplest ways to get it wanting clear and sparkly once more is by hand washing it.
To do that, you’re going to wish the next objects:
- A big bucket or bathtub
- A gentle, non-detergent cleaning soap
- A sponge and a comfortable bristle brush
- A supply of operating water like a backyard hose or faucet
Giving your tent an excellent, thorough wash by hand is easy.
All it’s a must to do is observe these simple steps:
Step 1: Fill Your Bucket Or Tub
Fill your bucket or tub with water and add some gentle cleaning soap to get some bubbles occurring. A couple of drops needs to be sufficient. If you set an excessive amount of cleaning soap in, it’ll take without end to rinse your tent out afterwards.
I like to recommend utilizing chilly water. If 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 material.
Step 2: Soak Your Tent
Next, place your tent contained in the bucket or tub and submerge it fully within the soapy water.
Give it an excellent swish round to ensure 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 subsequent step.
Step 3: Scrub The Surfaces
Take your sponge and provides the whole tent an excellent scrub inside and outside.
If you’re utilizing a sponge that has an abrasive facet, use the non-abrasive facet so that you just don’t scratch the material of your tent.
Step 4: Spot Clean Problem Areas
If there are any elements of your tent which can be notably soiled or stained, use a comfortable bristle brush and a few further cleaning soap to identify clear these areas.
You may use a comfortable bristle toothbrush for this step.
Whichever type of brush you’re utilizing, simply make it possible for the bristles are tremendous comfortable. Hard bristles may scratch and even rip your tent, and also you don’t need that.
Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly
Once you’ve given the tent an excellent, thorough scrub and also you’re happy, drain the water out of your bucket or tub.
Run the tent beneath operating water till you’ve washed all the cleaning soap out. If you by accident put an excessive amount of cleaning soap in your water, this might take some time. But it’s necessary that you just hold rinsing till there aren’t any extra bubbles.
Step 6: Air Dry
Finally, dangle your tent as much as air dry.
Never put it in a dryer – it virtually definitely gained’t survive.
Avoid hanging your tent up in direct daylight. Instead, discover a shady spot away from the solar’s harsh UV rays.
And final, however undoubtedly not least – at all times make it possible for your tent is totally dry earlier than you retailer it away. If there’s any moisture left within the material once you pack it away, it’ll be coated in mildew then subsequent time you pull it out of storage. Peeuw!
How Often Should You Wash Your Tent?
The much less often, the higher.
Washing your tent by hand is one of the simplest ways to do it, however you undoubtedly don’t wish to be doing this on a regular basis. Overdoing it could trigger your tent to put on down faster than it ought to, and it could minimize down its lifespan by fairly a bit in the long term.
Instead, try to hold your tent as clear as attainable, so that you just don’t have to clean it as typically.
Avoid carrying sneakers or consuming meals inside your tent, and at all times be sure you use a footprint or groundsheet to guard your tent flooring and hold it clear and dry.
I prefer to dampen the skin of my tent on the finish of a tenting journey. This is an efficient approach to give it a fast clear, with out the chance of damaging it.
Just just be sure you give it sufficient time to dry out fully earlier than you pack it away.
What’s Next?
So, there you’ve got it.
Washing your tent within the washer isn’t a good suggestion. But, when you completely should – make certain it’s an outsized entrance load washer.
Otherwise, you’re significantly better off washing your tent by hand.
To learn the way to take away mildew from a canvas tent, take a look at this text we wrote. It’ll present you 4 nice strategies to get your moldy tent wanting like new once more.