Maintenance

Cotton tents have been used for hundreds of years and have proven their durability and resistance to wind and weather over the years. But like everything else, a cotton tent must be maintained to not only look clean but also remain waterproof and breathable.

Maintenance of Cotton Tents

Regular cleaning and retreatment of your cotton tent increases the lifespan of the tent. Factors such as moisture, UV radiation, and particles from the air, originating from plants and mold spores, all contribute to the deterioration of the tent fabric, but with proper care, these factors have only a minor impact on the lifespan of your glamping tent.

A glamping tent is large, and honestly, thorough cleaning is quite an extensive task, but you can get very far by cleaning visible contaminants on the tarp directly as soon as they occur. This prevents mold and mildew from settling into the tent tarp, which can be difficult to remove.

 


 

However, local cleaning is not enough. We recommend that you thoroughly clean your tent at least once a year. This can be done, for example, at the end of the season. But remember to pack the tent only when it is 100% dry again.

After the tent has been cleaned, we recommend treating it with a material that gives the tarp new life and improves its water-repellent and breathable properties.

 

How to Clean Your Glamping Tent

 

  • Use Nikwax Tech Wash, a special cleaning agent for tent fabrics that cleans gently and effectively.

  • Remove dust and surface dirt with a soft brush.

  • Rinse the tent with a garden hose.

  • Apply Nikwax Tech Wash according to the instructions on the packaging.

  • Disassemble the tent if necessary to clean the roof well.

  • Repeat the cleaning if necessary.

  • Let the tent completely (100%) dry before retreating or storing it.

Retreatment


When you clean the tent using the method described above, some of the factory-applied waterproofing will be washed away. Therefore, it is important to treat the tent afterward to maintain its water-repellent properties.

For this, you'll need some waterproofing agent, a bucket, a soft brush, and a garden hose.

Most waterproofing agents work best on a dry tent – but always read the instructions of the product you are using.

  • Apply the waterproofing agent evenly over the entire tent surface with the soft brush.

  • Allow the material to dry and repeat the process.

  • Once the tent is completely dry, it can be packed away again.

Storage

Mites, mice, and mold are the three main dangers when your tent is not set up on a meadow. Follow these simple tips to avoid an unpleasant surprise when you unpack your tent after the winter.

Clean your tent before storing

Grass clippings and soil contain moisture that can cause mold over time. So make sure to clean your tent inside and out before packing it away. A damp cloth with soap is sufficient for this.

Ensure your tent is dry - bone dry

All tent elements must be dry before packing. The tent fly, the groundsheet, and the guy lines. It cannot be stressed enough how important this is. If you cannot pack the tent dry, you should unpack it again within 24 hours to dry.

Store it high and dry

Store the tent in a dry, cool, and frost-free place and avoid damp basement rooms. If you store the tent in a garage, you should raise it off the floor to prevent it from getting wet in the event of flooding and to make it harder for mice to reach the tent.