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Hey all you veteran campers do you have any home remedies or old lumberjack tricks for airing out a tent that's funky from years being stored in the attic? I look fwd to your pearls of wisdom.
Assuming it's not MASSIVE, run it through the wash machine on the gentle cycle with some mild detergent. If the stench remains, suck it up and by a new tent.
If money's really tight I'd set it up, Febreeze it and let it sit out for as long as possible in the sun (days, weeks). Sometimes fresh air and sunshine will kill the mold/mildew and the smell will wear off. It won't get rid of stains so it may look bad but who cares. It's worth a try.
If money's no big issue, suck it up and buy a new one.
On this same note... or a similar one, does anyone have any advice on how to keep your tent from getting that way in the first place? I just bought a brand new, massive tent, and would like to have it for a while...
Funk comes from moisture collecting and sitting on the fabric. So store it in a dry place and set it up regularly to air it out (at least once a year, preferably more)
Last Edit: May 9, 2007 13:12:38 GMT -5 by troo - Back to Top
I would suck it up and buy a new one if its REALLY BAD like the others have said, but yes setting it up when you know the weather will be good is a wonderful idea. Also, if it is raining when you take your tent down at the roo, make SURE you set it up when you get it home so it fully dries!
Post by oleander124 on May 9, 2007 13:32:34 GMT -5
baking soda is good for odors. You could lay some towels/paper towels on the bottom of the tent and sprinkle A LOT of baking soda on the towels and close the tent.
Post by spookymonster on May 9, 2007 13:46:02 GMT -5
oleander124 said:
baking soda is good for odors. You could lay some towels/paper towels on the bottom of the tent and sprinkle A LOT of baking soda on the towels and close the tent.
It works in funky fridges and shoes, too!
That makes me wonder how Gold Bond would work for deodorizing...
baking soda is good for odors. You could lay some towels/paper towels on the bottom of the tent and sprinkle A LOT of baking soda on the towels and close the tent.
Thanx much everyone truly great advice. While I have only ever needed the flimsiest of excuses to upgrade or replace something, this tent is an REI brand and it was almost $200 on sale so I'd really like to salvage it if at all possible. Although maybe setting up a smelly a$$ tent might be a way to score an enormous tentsite right ?
At my last fest I saw a girl with two bottles of febreeze look to see if anyone was in her neighbors campsite, and quietly tiptoe in to spray EVERYTHING down before scampering away... It was funny as hell
At my last fest I saw a girl with two bottles of febreeze look to see if anyone was in her neighbors campsite, and quietly tiptoe in to spray EVERYTHING down before scampering away... It was funny as hell
thats hilarious. I don't buy febreeze, but if I did, I would bring it to roo. hah.
Post by urbanhippie on May 9, 2007 16:14:08 GMT -5
if you are totally in love with the tent, we did this at boyscouts a few times... get a garbage can *clean*, some mild dish soap, fill it with water and the dish soap, put the tent in therem, then start hand washing it then hang it outside in the sun to dry =) always got the stench out, and it made the tents clean
Many tents can be erected inside out. If so, set it up the wrong way around on a fine day and then hose it down, with a little scrubbing if required. Let it dry thoroughly. Then flip it over (without the poles) so that you can get the floor scrubbed also. Don't turn it right side out again until it's completely dry.
Post by blazeaway54 on May 10, 2007 1:27:41 GMT -5
Am I the only one that doesn't really mind that old musty smell? There's certainly a limit, but it kind of reminds me of old book smell, which I love. Either way, I say breathe it in, baby!
if you are totally in love with the tent, we did this at boyscouts a few times... get a garbage can *clean*, some mild dish soap, fill it with water and the dish soap, put the tent in therem, then start hand washing it then hang it outside in the sun to dry =) always got the stench out, and it made the tents clean
This sounds like the easiest yet most complete cleaning solution. Never doubt a boy scout.