Can you wash a tent in a washing machine?

Camping can be fun, but then you realize that you have dragged dirt and sand and mud into your tent. Disaster alert!

If you are like me, efficiency is important to you. So you ask: Can you wash a tent in a washing machine?

It is unsafe to wash your tent in a washing machine. The washing machine cycles can be quite rough. This could cause damage to the tent's fabric, seams, and protective coating. The fabric of your tent may also stretch or rip.

Why it's unsafe to machine wash your tent

Tents are strong enough to withstand all the elements so they might be able to tolerate any kind of weather. There is a huge difference between the elements, and being slammed against a wall of a metal cylinder for more than an hour.

Fabric will stretch

Modern tents are usually made of nylon or polyester. Nylon is quite stretchy. The tent will stretch if you place it in the washer. This can cause your tent to become weaker.

Polyester is less flexible than nylon so it's more likely to tear.

Single-Walled vs. Double-Walled Tents

Polyester and nylon tents come in single- or double-walled options.

A double-walled tent has an inner tent and rainfly. These are the most common. It might seem safe to machine wash your inner tent as the rainfly protects it, but it is still dangerous.

The tent's inner tent may tear, which can lead to a decrease in quality. You will feel colder if your inner tent is torn. There are also higher chances of bugs getting under the rainfly or through the holes.

Single-walled tents can be lightweight and have water- and UV-resistant outer walls. They are usually thin because they are lightweight. They are easily ripped in the washer because they are so thin.

Protective coatings can be damaged

Polyester and nylon are protected by a hard, plastic-like waterproof layer. It can withstand the elements but is not designed to withstand being washed in the washer. Rainwater can seep through the tent because of the brittle waterproof coating.

A lot of tents have a UV coating. The washing machine can also damage this. UV is a clear coating on the fabric's surface. Under the right conditions, any coating can be removed.

An analysis of sunglasses has shown that UV protection can become less effective over time. The washing machine can cause more damage to your tent if it is older.

Seams and seam tape may be ripe

Both nylon and polyester tents have seam tape to seal them. The seam tape adhesive can become loose in the washer, exposing the tent's seams.

Exposed seams can allow water to seep into your tent and may even attract tiny insects like ants.

For a full guide on the reasons why you cant wash a tent in a washing machine check this post!

You can buy seam tape to repair the seams but the tent will not be as clean as it was before it went into the washer.

Your seams could also become brittle if you don't use seam tape. This will not only allow bugs and water in your tent, but also makes it difficult to repair and could lead you to buying a new tent.

Mesh will Rip

Polyester tents are most often made with mesh windows and doors. Some tents have full mesh ceilings.

Mesh is not strong and you don't want to put it in the washer. It will tear and create large holes, making it useless. This will allow bugs to enter your tent, making it colder.

What about Canvas Tents?

Canvas tents can be bulky and heavy, so it's easy for people to assume that they are machine washable. Unfortunately, this is still not true.

Canvas can be stretched easily when it's wet. Your tent may also get damaged by the harsh washing machine cycles. Canvas shrinks as it dries. However, if stretched too much, canvas will become slack. This will result in a weak and floppy tent.

Canvas tents can be heavy even when they are dry. When they are wet, they will be too heavy to support your machine. This can cause costly damage to the tent as well as the machine.

How to Clean a Dirty Tent Correctly

A dirty tent can be cleaned by hand, fortunately. Although it is slower than putting the tent in the washer, it is much safer.

You will need a few items and a tent that is unzipped from the inside. To ensure that no debris is trapped, shake the tent gently before you start.

#1. #1.

To clean your tent, you don't necessarily need a lot of supplies. You'll need:

Lukewarm or cold water

Fragrance-free dish soap, mild

Gear Aid Revivex Pro is a cleaner for outdoor gear

Soft cloth or sponge

Your bath or large basin

#2. #2.

First, locate any large stains on your tent fabric. These are the areas you need to focus on to ensure that they come out clean.

Use some soap to dampen a sponge or cloth. These stains can be gently rubbed off with a cloth or sponge until they disappear.

# 3. # 3. Prepare your tub

For cleaning your tent, it is best to use lukewarm water. Add your cleaning product to the basin. You will find different instructions for each product.

#4. #4.

You can now let your tent soak for a bit. The product that you use will dictate how long it should soak. Follow the instructions on the bottle.

#5. #5.

It is important to thoroughly rinse your tent to avoid leaving soap behind. Drain and clean the tub, then rinse it with clean, lukewarm water. Place your tent in the water, and then gently move it around to remove any soapy residue.

Drain the tub and fill it again with water. Then, put your tent back in. You can continue this process until your tent is submerged and the water remains soap-free.

#6. #6.

It is important to let your tent dry naturally. Drying it in the dryer can cause damage. For best results, hang your tent high. It is best to keep it out of direct sunlight.

For more information, see this video:

How to Clean a Tent that Smells

It's easy to fix a bad odor after you have washed your tent. You can use an odor eliminator to soak your tent for five minutes. Gear Aid Revivex Odor Eliminator may be a good choice.

Vinegar mixed with water is a good alternative to household products if you want to get rid of unpleasant odors from your tent. Spray your tent with 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in a spray bottle. The stubborn smells should be gone.

Spray some fabric freshener onto your tent if it smells strongly of vinegar. You should make sure that the spray does not contain corrosive chemicals, as this could cause damage to your tent's coating.

Tents: Cleaning Mildew, Pine Sap, and Zipper Problems

Sometimes, your tent may have additional problems while out in the wild. These require extra care. These issues can be easily fixed.

#1. #1.

An enzyme cleaner is best for mildew. This is a great use of Rocco & Roxie.

A more detailed tutorial is also available on how to remove mildew and mold from a tent.

#2. Pine Sap

Spot cleaning your tent with water and mineral oil is a good idea if you find pine sap. To remove the sap, you can use alcohol cleaning wipes or hand soap.

After removing the sap, you will need to clean the tent with water and a tent cleaner.

#3. #3.

Zipper problems are often caused by dirt getting caught in zippers. This can be easily cleaned with a toothbrush and soapy water. You can also use Gear Aid Zipper Cleaner.

#4. #4.

Wipe down poles that are dirty with a damp cloth. If you have stubborn stains, add some cleaning solution. Use a non-corrosive cleaner.

Most household cleaning products can be used on tent poles. However, it is important to avoid getting any solutions on tent fabric.

How to keep dirt out of the tent

It will make things much simpler if you keep as much dirt as possible out of your tent. This will ensure that you only have to clean your tent once a season and not every camping trip.

A few rules will make your trip easier and help keep any stains out of your tent.

You can't wear your shoes inside the tent.

You can keep wet gear outside or in the vestibule

If you have shoes, wipe them on a welcome mat.

Baby powder can be used to remove dirt and sand from your skin

Your backpack should be kept outdoors, under a tarp

To get rid of any debris, shake your tent.

A small brush and dustpan are handy.

Summary

It is not an easy task to clean a tent. It is important to care for your tent and ensure it does not get wet in the washer or dryer.

It is important to wash your tent at least once a season. You will need to wash your tent less frequently if it is clean.