Tent Cleaning?

[danrporter]

I own a Eureka Zues Exo II, A very great tent I might add, but the seams have grown a stinky fungus of some sort. Is it caused by the seam sealer I used?

Anyways, what type of product can I use to clean it without damaging this great tent? Thankyou to anyone who can help.

[bdavison]

The best way is to fill up a bathtub with cold water. You probably wont need any soap, and dont use bleach, or dish-detergent or anything like that. Use a NON-detergent soap. Clean it with a washrag. Once its all clean, go pitch it in the shade somewhere and let it dry THROUGHLY.

Most likely the fungus is mildew from packing the tent away wet. Morning dew on a tent, that is packed away for a long time can destroy the tent. Aside from growing fungus, it can also eat the coatings on the fabric. If you are packing a tent away for a long time. Put some dessicant (like those little packs that come with your shoes) in the bag with it, and make sure its ALL dry before you bag it up.

[natchez]

danrporter, welcome here :) I hope you will enjoy this forum.

You could also set up your tent on a warm and sunny day in the shade and with a washtub or bucket of water (try first without soap) clean it that way. There seems to be available in the US a special mild soap called Nikwax (or something to that extent) that some sites recommend (I don't since I never used it) - that may be of interest to you.

Let us know how you fared?

[KsMason71]

I have an apartment, No tub, just a shower, and No hose. How can I clean my tent?

[bdavison]

Got any friends with a hose? How about a bucket and a sponge?

Also a good cleaner for tents is Hydrogen Peroxide. It will kill off most fungus, and does a really good job of getting rid of stains and such.

[natchez]

Strange question, maybe - but, why can't these tents be washed in the washingmachine? :blush:

[KsMason71]

Not so strange, I have wondered that too

[bdavison]

NEVER put a tent or sleeping bag in a top load clothes washer. It will shred it. On sleeping bags in perticular, it will tear the baffles, and tents it tears the seams. Also some laundry detergents can destroy the waterproofing in the fabrics.

You can put sleeping bags in front load washers like the ones at a laundromat, but when you take it out, dont hold it by one end. Support the whole thing. The weight of the water in it can also tear the baffles.

If you are laundering a down bag, put some tennis balls into the dryer with it. They help break down lumps of down as it drys, and NO HEAT!! or it might melt the shell or liner.

[natchez]

Bdavison.... but it IS possible - as you wrote :)

(If living in an urban area in an appartment this might be a good solution, no?)

[bdavison]

Just no top loading agitator type washing machines...it needs to be a tumble front loading type washing machine.

Me personally...Id rather wash it carefully in a bathtub, but if you've got no other options....

Just do it at your own risk.

[natchez]

Well, plastic tubs could replace build-in bath tubs for people not wanting to take a chance and not having a bath-tub at home, I suppose ;)