Den Kyle A tent’s mold is unsightly and only causes damage to your tent in the long run. It could also create health risks, particularly when the person is allergic to the fungus. It is generally not recommended to stay in a tent with mold because of the risk.
Cleaning a moldy tent is essential and helps to ensure that the fabric lasts longer.
Tents with mold or mold typically occur when someone forgets and puts away their tents while still wet or damp. This fungus thrives in the presence of even the least amount of moisture as well as other favorable conditions such as low light.
This is a common occurrence when campers camp close to a body of water (e.g rivers or lakes) as well during the wet season.
In the event of rain it is possible to swiftly pack up the tent as the time to return home, and without drying your tent. I can assure you that it has happened to me as well as my fellow campers.
We have discovered that rooftops made of hard shell tents tend to develop mold faster as compared to soft shell tents due to their dense and dark covering.
What Is The Best Way To Wash A Tent?
Tents should be cleaned thoroughly after every camping trip. Don’t be concerned as washing your camping tent is a quick and easy procedure. While the mold may appear difficult to get rid of, it is achievable using a few simple steps we have put together for you below.
Requirements For Cleaning A Moldy Tent
- Warm water
- Soft brush
- Fibre cloth
- White vinegar distilled
- Nonporous gloves
Steps to Clean Mold Off
Take the necessary mold removal and cleaning materials
This is the very first step that one must take to gather all of the required information.
Items and products. To get the best outcomes, we suggest using vinegar distilled and other options that are better.
Clean your tent’s mold
Use a soft bristle to get rid of visible mold from the tent. It is recommended to do this gently.
Use non-porous pair of gloves prior to using vinegar
Excessive exposure to vinegar may create skin irritation. Hands with gloves are protected from the natural and organic compositional impacts.
Fill with a spray bottle, then fill with white vinegar that has been distilled
Be sure to not dilute the vinegar’s pureness with water. In the end, you must ensure that you have enough vinegar to cleanse all surfaces susceptible to mold.
Apply the solution in a thorough manner on the part on the canvas
Apply the distilled vinegar. Make sure you apply the correct amount to achieve greater outcomes. This will ensure that there is a sufficient amount to eliminate the mold.
If you don’t have a spray bottle, it’s best to use a cloth that is disposable. Then, you can wipe the area affected to ensure it’s completely submerged in vinegar.
Let the vinegar rest for about an hour
It takes less time for vinegar to get rid of mildew and mold by breaking it. It is suggested to allow it to set on the tent for about an hour prior scrub it. This gives the vinegar time to break down and fully clean the mold.
Clean the mold with a scrubber and warm water
With a scrubber, clean the affected areas with a scrub brush mold with a thorough. They are the ones that have been which are sitting on vinegar. Be sure to wash your brush frequently with warm water while you work through the spongy areas.
The scrub brush can help in helping break down the mold. Pick a brush perfect for the job you are cleaning A larger brush can clean larger surfaces while a smaller brush could aid in reaching cracks.
Clean the areas affected to remove dirt
After you have finished getting rid of the mold from the tent’s surface, clean the area clean with warm water. If the mold remains continue the process until the entire mold has been eliminated.
However, it is probable that vinegar will leave behind an unpleasant smell that will quickly disappear.
Let the tent dry naturally
It’s the sixth step in cleaning the mold from an outdoor tent. Put up your tent and let it dry in the air. In other cases, you may put up your tent and make sure that it is air dried. It is essential to let the tent completely dry prior to packing it away for storage.
If the area is moist or wet and it is a source of moisture, it can grow mold quickly. This could trigger the rapid growth of mold, which requires an intensive cleaning process to eliminate.
Combine vinegar and other ingredients to increase the killing power of vinegar
Vinegar can kill about 82% of the various mold species. If this is the case, there is a possibility of 18% of species re-occur.
Therefore, it is recommended to mix vinegar and either borax, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, or salt. But, be careful that you do not mix vinegar with bleach as this could cause toxic fumes and be dangerous.
Spray tents with vinegar to prevent the growth of mold
After the surface has been cleaned, it is necessary to apply vinegar to the surface to prevent mold from resurfacing. Always ensure that you are using regular white vinegar.
Final Thoughts
If your tent becomes moldy, it’s important to follow specific instructions. They will make the next camping trip unforgettable because they will ensure that the tent is safe to use. Make use of bristles with soft bristles, which will help in the removal of any loose mold.
In this instance, it is recommended to use special products for cleaning mold, such as vinegar, which destroys mold spores totally. Vinegar can be combined with borous, hydrogen peroxide salt, baking soda, or salt to increase its killing power.
In the event that the mold seems small and fresh, it’s easy to wash your tent with hot soapy water. There are however a number of at-home mold removers, such as hydrogen peroxide lemon juice, a mix of vinegar or salt, and water.
Beware of bleach as it could harm the fabric of the tent and alter its color.
The most effective method to avoid the possibility of future mold outbreaks is to ensure that your tent is as dry as you can. Always make sure your tent is completely dry after a camping trip before storing the fabric.
Also, ensure that you do not store your tent in a damp or hot place. Utilize an odor-removing product like Mirazyme as well as Revivax to remove the smell that comes from the mold. Last but not least, store your freshly cleaned tent in a dry, cool location.
We hope that we’ve addressed your question about how to clean your tent that is contaminated with mold. Have fun in your newly cleaned tent.
Written by Den Kyle, verified, and edited by David Myer.