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 anything else, a cotton tent needs maintenance to not only keep it looking clean, but to keep it waterproof and breathable.

Maintenance of cotton tents

Regular cleaning and after-treatment of your cotton tent increases the lifespan of the tent. Factors such as moisture, UV rays and airborne particles from plants and mold spores all contribute to the deterioration of tent fabric, but with proper care these factors have little impact on the lifespan of your glamping tent.

A glamping tent is big and to be honest, thorough cleaning is a pretty big job, but you can go a long way by cleaning visible dirt on the tarpaulin as soon as it appears. This prevents mold and mildew from building up in the tent fabric, which can be difficult to get rid of.

 

 

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

After the tent has been cleaned, we recommend treating it with a material that will give the tarpaulin new life and improve its water-repellent and breathable properties.

 

How to clean your glamping tent

To clean a glamping tent, use a water hose, bucket, soft brush or sponge and a mixture of white vinegar and water.

  • Mix four parts water and one part white vinegar. Alternatively, you can buy pre-mixed tent cleaners, but the vinegar mix is ​​cheaper and easier to source.
  • Now start with a rough cleaning with a soft brush to remove dust and other surface dirt
  • Hose down the tent with the water hose
  • Now it's time for the vinegar mixture. Depending on how tall your tent is, you may need to disassemble it to access the roof.
  • Repeat step four if necessary
  • Let the tent dry 100% before treating the tarpaulin again.

Retreatment

Cleaning the tent using the method above will wash off some of the pre-treatment that the tent had when it was delivered. It is therefore important to treat it with a waterproofing agent to ensure that the tent remains water-repellent.

For this you need some waterproofing agent, a spray bottle and a water hose.

Most waterproofing products work best on a dry tent. But read the instructions for use of the product used.

  • Now spray the entire tent surface with the product of your choice.
  • Let the material dry and repeat the process.
  • As soon as the tent is dry, it can be packed up.

Storage

Mites, mice and mold are the three big dangers if your tent is not pitched on a lawn. Follow these simple tips to avoid a nasty surprise when unpacking your tent after winter.

Clean your tent before storing it

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

Make sure your tent is dry - bone dry

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

Keep it high and dry

Store the tent in a dry, cool and frost-free place and avoid damp basements. If you store the tent in a garage, you should raise it off the ground to prevent it from getting wet in the event of a flood and making it less easy for mice to get to the tent.