D irt and grime can take its toll on even the most durable tents. But with a  little cleaning, you can keep your  tent in good working order for years of backcountry adventures . As backpacking season gets into full swing, we asked Andy Coulter, an expert in MSR's repair shop , for his advice on h ow to wash a tent. " I've spent probably too much time washing tents  in our repair shop , experimenting with different soaps, detergents, cleaners ,"  he says. Here's how he says to do it properly.

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Photo by Michael Misselwitz @lastingadventures

FIRST,WHEN TO WASH YOUR TENT:

I t's easy to store  your gear away  without a second look  when you return from a trip . But the  care you give it will return in dividends  toward its longevity. Over time, d irt, smoke, sand and other natural elements can weaken a tent's  fabric and grate on its components, like zippers. W ash ing your breathes life back into it. A tent is a big gear investment, so the longer it lasts, the better for you. Andy says consider  wash ing  your tent when:

  • It's visually dirty: A little dust doesn't warrant a wash after every trip, but if your tent look s  particularly caked, or if you've allowed dirt to build up for a while, it's time .
  • Water does not readily bead – up or the fabric wets – out  easily: Grime degrades  DWR (Durable Water Repellent) and waterproof coatings; removing that dirt layer and revitalizing them is important.
  • After camping at  the  ocean :  Sand acts like micro abrasives on fabrics Andy says. In addition, s alty air corrodes zipper sliders and aluminum tent poles , and sand can  prevent pole ferrules from inserting fully. " A good soak and rinse is  ok ,  but ground – in sand needs soap to break the surface tension of the dirt ," Andy says.
  • After prolonged exposure to campfire smoke : Smoke coats your tent in a layer of micro particles ; do your tent well and remove them.
  • After prolonged UV exposure : UV rays act like an oven, baking dirt into the fabric. There's no escaping UV exposure, but keeping your tent clean helps prolong its life  under the sun .

HOW TO WASH A TENT

D o not wash your tent in a washing machine. Instead, handwash  it  in a bathtub to ensure a gentle cleaning . This also allows you to address dirt caught in its stuff pockets and other crevices.

USE THE MOST NEUTRAL SOAP YOU CAN FIND — NOT WOOLITE® Dr Bronners Castille

Choosing the right soap is critical —use the most neutral one you can find. " A lot of laundry detergents leave various residues , such as plant oils , fragrance s , softening agents ," Andy says . " Many people recommend Woolite ®,  as it's perceived as gentle. B ut it also has softening agents. "

P ure soap flakes a ffect tent  fabric s  and coatings  the least ,  and rinse clean . But they aren't common anymore. Therefore Andy says: " I personally like Dr .  Bronner ' s Cast i le  L iquid S oap and have had the best results using it ."

OR, USE A TECH WASH Tech Wash

Tech w ash es are formulated to  wash technical synthetic fabrics while  leav ing  some of their DWR  intact . Some include: Atsko ® Sport-Wash, Nathan ® Sport Wash, Grangers ®  Tent + Gear wash, GearAid ® Revivex .

HOW TO WASH YOUR TENT

  • Fill the tub with enough cool water to completely submerge the tent body and rainfly.
  • Add a small amount of soap . The tent 's  size  and the type of dirt will dictate how much.
  • Agitate the water by hand . T urn the canopy/mesh inside out to remove dirt from  pocket s , gear lofts  and corners.
  • Knead the tent ,  pushing down and swishing  it  around for about 5 minutes to ensure water reaches the nooks and crannies.
  • Let the tent soak for 20 minutes, then repeat  the  agitation cycle.
  • Lift the tent and fly from the tub  and observe  the wate r . If the water's brown, drain it , squeeze  the water out of tent — do not twist  it out—r efill  the  tub and repeat the process.
  • When washing is done , fill the tub with  clean water and rinse the tent and fly in the same manner.
  • Hang the  clean tent over  the  shower rod , drape it over a clothes  drying rack , or lay it on a clean surface. Avoid sharp corners and edges. Do not hang the tent by its corners because this puts  stress on the fabric .
  • Ensure the fabric is  "bone dry " before storing it away . " I personally leave my tent hanging and flip it inside out and  over for at least five days ," Andy says.

REAPPLY DWR (DURABLE WATER REPELLENT)

Whether or not you've opted to use a tech  wash , you'll want to revive your  tent's  DWR . Andy prefers Revivex ® by GearAid ® .

  • S et the tent up and the fly and let them sit until they're damp (not fully wet).
  • S pray the DWR on one panel at a time of tent body and the rainfly and use a  sponge to spread it  over the fabric and seams evenly . M op up drips and continuously wip e it until  it starts to dry  and set. (Try to avoid spraying it on mesh.)
  • To access the floor of the tent, roll the tent on i ts  side .
  • Let it dry fully before storing your tent.

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How to clean a tent with mold / how to clean a tent that smells

Storing  your tent wet can quickly lead to m old and the offensive smells mold  produces . Unfortunately ,  washing a  tent does  not remove mold. Prevention is your best cure . Ensure your tent is absolutely  dry before storing it. Even hot, dry adventures  can produce subtle moisture or condensation  inside the tent. Dry your tent out after every  trip. Small steps like this make a big difference to ward extending the lifespan of your tent.

Removing sap from a tent

Sap is a sticky subject . It's hard to remove without harsh measures that do damage to your tent. Using a ground cloth/footprint  helps protect against sap . If you do pick up a glob , start by  spot cleaning with dish soap , before moving to mild chemicals.  Removal chemicals and alcohol will strip the DWR and can weaken the fabric . Repeated picking and scratching in one area will likely  weaken the fabric perhaps more so  than even  mild chemicals.

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The technicians in MSR's Seattle Repair Shop hold a wealth of knowledge. Here are a few more articles that share their expertise:

  • Your Pre-Season Gear Checklist
  • Gear Field Repair: What to Bring and Why
  • 3 Ways to Field Repair a Rip in Your Tent's Rainfly
  • How to Fix a Broken Tent Pole in the Field