How to properly wash a tent in a washing machine and is it possible
Going out into nature, a tourist trip cannot do without a canopy for protection against rain, sun, night coolness and mosquitoes. The equipment is not cheap, its owner is interested in long-term use. During the rain, dirt gets on the tent, which dries, forms streaks, stains, which spoil the appearance. How to clean the tent? Is it sometimes possible to wash a tent in a washing machine? How will this affect its quality?
The structure and features of cleaning
Modern protective equipment for tourists is produced in multilayer. The outer part is made of dense material with water-repellent impregnation, the inner part is made of membrane fabrics, lavsan. The quality and cost of the tent depends on the elements used.
In inexpensive awnings, the top is made of nylon or nylon, the service life of which does not exceed 3 years. The reason for this is the loss of shape when wet, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation the water-repellent coating is destroyed.
In expensive models, a polyester fabric with impregnation serves as rain protection. Tents, when used and stored correctly, are suitable for tourism for up to 10 years.
During the hike, going out into nature, dirt settles on the fabric, it is saturated with the smell of smoke. There is a dilemma: should you clean the tent or leave it as it is? If you clean it, how? Dry or wash? Manually or in a typewriter?
The problem is that the impregnation due to mechanical stress will peel off, making the awning unsuitable for rain protection. Using a dirty tent will not be pleasant and harmful to your health.
How to get rid of dirt and odors
The choice of cleaning the camping tent depends on the degree of contamination. Small dirt is removed with a brush. Airing and drying in the sun will eliminate unpleasant odors. For this, the tent is turned upside down and hung on a rope.
Wash off adhering dirt by hand or in an automatic washing machine. The number of washes for the entire duration of use cannot exceed 4 for the manual method and 2 for the automatic method. Hand washing is effective for fresh stains that easily come off the fabric when wet. It is best to wash a tent with dried mud over the entire surface with an automatic machine. Grease stains from the inner cover can be removed using mild chemicals. From the outside, this is unacceptable.
How to wash properly
Before loading the tent into the machine with an automatic machine, it is necessary to clarify its technical capabilities:
- Authorized weight of items to be washed. The weight of the awning should be 500-700 grams less to avoid overloading.
- The number of drum revolutions - no more than 500 per minute.
- Washing temperature - 30-40 degrees.
- The ability to turn off the spin mode.
Laundry detergent - fabric softener. The cloth is lightly dampened and moistened with laundry soap before being placed in the machine. After that, put the tent in a washing machine. Nikwax Tech Wash is a cleaning agent for membranes, hydrophobic fabrics. The manufacturer recommends using a washing gel for Gore-Tex, SympaTex, Permatex, eVENT membranes. Consumption of funds when loading into an automatic machine: 100 milliliters for washing in soft water, 150 milliliters for hard water.
Nikwax Cotton Proof - detergent for cotton, mixed fabrics. The machine sets the cotton washing mode without spinning. For a dry cotton awning, the agent is diluted with warm water 1: 6, for wet - 1: 2. At the end of the washing cycle, the wet awning is taken out of the drum and hung on a rope to to dry. A well-dried tent is inspected to check the condition of the moisture-proof layer using water-repellent sprays.
Mildew stains lie on the surface of an unfinished or improperly stored tent before the start of the tourist season. It is impossible to use such equipment: it is unhealthy to inhale fungal spores, mold will destroy the protective coating. The use of chlorine-based antifungal agents, biocides will give an undesirable result: the mold will be destroyed along with the polymer coating. Folk remedies will help clean the surface.
Boura
Fruit bodies and spores are brushed with a medium-hard brush. The inner face of the tent is not afraid of mechanical stress. The outer side is processed without pressure. A solution is prepared from borax and water in a ratio of 1:10 (grams per milliliter).Wipe the surface with a damp sponge and let it dry. It is not necessary to wash off the antifungal composition.
The vinegar
Pour 9% vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray on the affected area and leave on for 1 hour. Wash off the rest of the solution with a damp sponge. Dry in a well-ventilated place until the odor disappears. Acetic acid, in overdose, discolors the surface.
A soda
Prepare a solution: mix 200 ml of lukewarm water with 10 grams of baking soda. Wipe the cloth with the resulting product, let it dry.
Essential oils
The use of tea tree oil, rosemary, grapefruit will serve as a prophylaxis to suppress mold spores, repel the smell of vinegar, borax. Simply dissolve 2 drops of essential oil in a glass of water and irrigate both sides of the tent using a spray bottle.
Review of the means of restoring the protective layer
Special impregnations extend the life of the awning. Processing can be done with a universal tool or a special tool for tent panels. The choice depends on the type of material, the protective layer, the degree of damage.
Nikwax
The company produces a range of detergents and impregnating agents for clothing, footwear and equipment. It is recommended to use protective agents after cleaning the equipment with Nikwax detergents.
Nikwax TX Direct Spray-On is used to impregnate membrane fabrics and nylon.
Application method:
- A dry or wet tent is laid out on a flat surface.
- The spray is sprayed from a distance of 15 centimeters.
- After 2 minutes, remove residue with a clean towel.
- Dry it.
- Check and remove spray residue.
Cotton fabrics are impregnated with Nikwax Cotton Proof. To do this, you need to install a canopy. Apply the product to the entire surface using a brush or roller. Let dry. Remove residue with a clean cloth.
Mcnett tapestry
Mcnett Tensture Tent Floor Waterproof Adhesive is used to restore worn synthetic fabric tents.
Features:
- water-based urethane adhesive;
- effective for all types of synthetic materials;
- makes the fabric surface hydrophobic;
- retains membrane properties;
- dries quickly;
- does not leave stains;
- long shelf life;
- safe for people and animals.
Application method:
- equipment is cleaned and dried;
- remove factory waterproofing and traces of previous restorations;
- on the back, using a brush, apply the product in a thin layer;
- two coats are applied to heavily worn parts of the canvas.
The tent is ready to use in 30-40 minutes.
Waterproofing spray
Universal impregnation for membrane materials. Using the spray makes the fabric water and dirt repellent, preventing it from getting wet during rain and sleet. The protective layer does not let grease and dirt through, increasing the wear resistance of the equipment. The water repellent does not interfere with air circulation. The protective layer protects the tent from fading, preserving its color. Contains no harmful impurities.
The spray contains:
- teflon;
- water repellent;
- stabilizer;
- surfactant.
Before applying the impregnation, the blind is cleaned and dried. Spray the product from a distance of 20 centimeters. The canvas should be ironed with an iron at a temperature of 70-80 degrees. Drying - 24 hours. The impregnation effect may differ for different types of fabrics.
Hand washing
During the entire period of use of the tent, you can wash it in a typewriter with an automatic machine a maximum of 2 times. You will have to remove the dirt manually in the future. Several hand washing options are used:
- All alone. Fill the bath with water no higher than 30 degrees. Soak the tent for half an hour. Stand on it and stomp on it. Rinse. Dry. The method is suitable for removing small dirt and dust.
- Together. The tent is spread out on a flat, clean surface (e.g. washed concrete, asphalt, wood). One person pours water, the second lathers with laundry soap and wipes it with a soft sponge. Similarly, the procedure is repeated on the reverse side. The foam is washed off with plenty of water. The blind is dried, treated with water repellent, sprayed to remove the smell of soap.
- Nikwax Tech Wash, anti-stain agent for hand washing membrane fabrics. For cleaning, the tent is soaked in warm water (30-40 degrees). Add 100-150 ml of detergent. Stir gently, protecting hands with rubber gloves. Rinse by changing the water 3 times.
- Means for hand washing NikwaxR Polar ProofR synthetic fabric tarpaulins. Place a tent in warm water, add 100 milliliters. To mix together. Repeat the procedure with an interval of 5 minutes 3 times. Rinse with cold water. Dry in partial shade, in a stream of air.
The use of special equipment makes it possible to do without additional waterproofing with a slight wear of the equipment.
Dry cleaning
The gentlest way to remove dirt and dust from the tent cover. Cleaning is done after returning from a hike. The awning is hung in a ventilated, dried place. Use a soft brush and sponge to remove dirt.Wash small stains with warm soapy water.
What to do if mold appears
Favorable conditions for the appearance of mold are humidity, positive temperature, lack of circulation. Failure to dry and clean the tent before folding and storing will result in a musty smell and black mildew stains. There are tools available to kill mold without breaking the hydrophobic layer. It is almost impossible to remove traces of fungal infection without damaging the equipment.
Tourists on the forums recommend 3 options:
- leave it as it is;
- buy a new tent;
- experiment with cleaning products.
What to do in this case - everyone decides for himself.
How to dry well
The drying of the tent must be started before returning home. Inside, the panel humidifies without rain, even when the window is open. During sleep by breathing and through the skin, up to 200 milliliters of moisture are released into the air. In the pores of the membranes, in contact with hot and cold air, condensation forms and drips inside the tent. All things from the awning are removed, garbage is swept from the floor, a draft is put in place. In dry and hot weather, the camping tent will dry out quickly.
Returning home, the tent is dried on the balcony: first from the outside, then - turning it over. In winter or rainy season, the tent is dried at home by throwing it on a tight rope or piece of furniture. The fabrics used to make camping gear are quick drying, which will not cause much hassle when drying at the House. It is more difficult to dry the inside of the tent while hiking when it is raining and the cover is leaking.
An extreme way to get rid of moisture is to use a gas burner, the careless handling of which can cause a fire.
A safer method is to heat with hot stones. For this purpose, medium-sized cobblestones are prepared and heated over a fire. The heated stones are placed in a bucket, which requires a wooden base so as not to damage the floor of the tent. A bath is arranged similarly during the hike.
Rules of maintenance and operation
For the comfort of the person and the extension of the life of the tent, simple rules of installation must be respected:
- on flat or slightly sloping ground;
- far from a fire, rocks, old trees;
- place ventilation openings downwind;
- pull the wind deflectors;
- add an additional floor.
Keep the equipment dry, in a cloth cover, in a cool, dry place.