We see mold on the tent sometimes, but most of the time they are so tiny to see. But this tiny mold or fungus is allergic to many of us. Especially when we pack the wet tent into our bag, mold gets the favorable damp and dark conditions they need. So low light and slightest of moisture cause mold on the tent.
Why does mold tend to grow on our camping tent? Many reasons are for that but most commonly if we pitch the tent on a wet surface, or near a water source like a waterfall, river etc or if we use a tent in the rainy season. We don’t show the patience to dry up the tent or clean it before packing. Therefore, the mold gets the condition they need to grow.
So the question comes from every camper how to clean a tent with mold. Here we’ll let you know how to clean a tent with mold and mildew. Let’s get started.
Contents
Indications of Mold on the Tent
Any dubious spots on your tent should be checked first. If you see any spots, just wipe the spot with a wet rug. If the spots come off easily, they are maybe dirt or dust otherwise; you may have mold problems. Sometimes these spots may look dim. Most of the time, we see green, blue or black specks on the tent. Also, the musty, stale smells are a clear indication of mold.
So after every camping trip, don’t forget to check the tent fabric if there are any mold and mildew.
Otherwise, the next time you get camping, the tent can spread an unpleasant scent. Also, it is important to know how to clean a tent with mold while camping, as everyone wants to stay in a clean and hygienic tent.
Preventing Mold and Mildew from a Tent
If you see black spots on the tent, they must be mold or mildew. That’s why campers must clean their tent using a tent cleaner. But if you don’t want to spend money behind a tent cleaner, you can happily follow our methods to get rid of mold and mildew.
Cleaning Mold with Vinegar
Clean tent mildew vinegar is a process where you don’t need many tools and ingredients. You will need a soft brush, warm water, white distilled vinegar and hand gloves.
- As we have been told, mold can be both visible and slightly visible. So brush the visible mold gently.
- It’s time to clean with vinegar, so wear a pair of gloves because vinegar can cause skin irritation.
- Now fill the spray bottle with distilled white vinegar. Do not dilute pure vinegar with water.
- Now spray the distilled vinegar on the affected area. Apply as much as you need.
- Gently wipe the sprayed areas with a clean piece of fabric.
- Now wait for 1 hour and give the vinegar time to break the mold and mildew.
- Scrub the affected areas with a scrubber using warm water.
- Now again wipe the areas with warm water with a clean piece of fabric.
- Let the tent surface dry out.
DIY Tent Cleaner
If you don’t have vinegar at home, follow this DIY cleaning method. Also, it will increase the tent’s life span. And these natural ingredients do not affect tent fabric.
Make sure you have gathered 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of lemon juice, and a sponge.
- Mix 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of lemon juice with 1 gallon of water.
- Now, soak your sponge into this solution.
- Scrub the sponge on your polyester/ nylon made tent.
- Don’t use the abrasive side of the sponge.
- Many people ask how to clean canvas tent mold. In this case, don’t use a sponge, use a bristle brush on the affected areas of your canvas tent.
- Then dry the tent under direct sunlight.
Preventing Mold and Odor Using Revivex
Sometimes you’ll still get a foul odor even after cleaning the tent with vinegar and tent cleaner. It proves that there are still some moldy spots remaining which you are not seeing. In this case, we use Revivex, which eliminates unpleasant odor-causing bacteria and penetrates the pores of the tent’s fabric.
- Get a bucket that has space for 20 gallons of water and fill the bucket with water.
- Now mix 14 grams of Revivex.
- Unclose the tent flaps and open the zippers.
- Now, soak the tent in the solution for 5 minutes. Make sure the solution reaches every inch of the tent.
- After 5 minutes, take out the soaked tent and allow it to dry. Don’t need to wash the tent with fresh water.
Note: Revivex works best immediately after making the solution. The more you will wait after mixing the solution, the less effective the solution will be. Don’t need to dry under direct sunlight. Better dry the tent in cool surroundings.
How to Get Mold off Tent Inner?
- Use a hairbrush on the affected area. Brush on the moldy spots.
- Now wash the spots with hot water or 1 or 2 cups of Lysol.
- Now, rinse the spot with 1 cup of lemon juice and 1 cup of salt in a gallon of water.
- Let the tent dry completely.
Note: if your tent inner is made of color-safe fabrics, don’t rinse the tent in lemon juice and salt water solution. Use 2 tablespoons of bleach into a quart of water.
How to Clean Mold off Canvas Awnings?
Canvas awnings protect against wind and harmful sun rays. But it also gets affected by mold and mildew in humid weather. Let’s know about how to clean canvas awnings.
- Make a cleaning solution with 4 gallons of water and 60 ml of mild liquid soap.
- Now, soak the canvas awnings in the solution for 15 minutes.
- Scrub the awnings with a soft brush.
- Now wash it in clean water and air dry completely.
Is it safe to sleep in a moldy tent?
Mold presents everywhere around us. We inhale mold spores with our breath every day. But we rarely see any bad reaction that can deal with a negligible number of spores. But if you sit inside a moldy tent, your body may react. It completely depends. But most of the campaigners have the experience of sneezing, red itchy eyes, skin rash, runny nose etc in long term camping, which happens due to the present of mold.
FAQs
Can you clean a Mouldy tent?
We have discussed the whole article about how you can clean the other surface and inner surface of a moldy tent. Yeah, you safely and effectively get rid of moldy tents following those steps.
Can you clean a tent with vinegar?
Absolutely, vinegar is our first choice for cleaning the moldy tent if we don’t have any tent cleaner. Additionally, we will need a soft brush, warm water, white distilled vinegar, and hand gloves.
Final Note
We have talked about why we see mold on our tent after camping or during camping. Even though you have gone through some really good solutions. But if you need more protection against mold and mildew, don’t forget to use tent waterproof spray after cleaning the tent.