how to clean ya tent??

Talk about your camp or project's LNT plans (and MOOP problems) here. Discuss cleanup tips. Ask questions or share ideas on what works and what doesn't.
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Mad Madame
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how to clean ya tent??

Post by Mad Madame » Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:25 pm

hey fellow tenters... those people who didn't have the fortune of rv'ing it...

any tips on how to get the tent cleanish? before heading out there i water-proofed my tent, so thinking that spraying it down with water is not going to do the job, but don't want to just leave it all dusty.

any helpful hints would be much appreciated.

cheers! and thanks for a wicked burn everyone!

love and guts,
mmmm
if you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right- Henry Ford
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misfit
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Post by misfit » Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:55 pm

set it up in the yard and hose it down,,, in and out. or if your fortunate to live next to a pool, dive in with your tent.....
Be happy while you're living, For you're a long time dead.
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barnz
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Post by barnz » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:58 pm

I was told to wipe it down with a vinegar solution, which I tried after wiping it down with soapy water and blasting with a garden hose. Tent will still never be the same....
~~~~~~~~
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AntiM
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Post by AntiM » Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:08 pm

I've run mine through the washer on gentle, low suds soap. Needs the seams resealed with waterproofing, nothing else.
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phil
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Post by phil » Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:31 pm

Hosing mine down in the yard didn't do the trick for me. Zippers still take a beating with playadust and sun, which hosing won't help. My tent-maker suggested soaking it in the bathtub in cold water for five or ten minutes with a cup of Lysol disenfectant, sloshing as needed to get it all underwater at some point; then draining it and soaking and sloshing in clean water for five or ten minutes, then spreading it out on the lawn/porch/whatever till it's completely dry. Soak the tent and the fly separately.

I've done this for years after every burn, and I've suffered no loss in waterproofness, although the zippers still stick and need an annual lubing before the trek to the playa. I don't think the soak removes all the playa powder, but it does get out a substantial amount and whatever remains is then apparently glued to the fabric. :->

Your mileage will vary.
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honeyfire
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Like getting dessed in wet clothes?

Post by honeyfire » Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:22 pm

I'm told that putting the tent up to dry (instead of trying to spread it out) works really well, i'd just think you'd want to be reeeally careful sliding the poles through the tubes.
I've never tried it myself, having only heard of this the other day. *snork*
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mojo
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Post by mojo » Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:37 pm

I've had great success with our shade structures by putting vinegar in the garden sprayer thing that attaches to the garden hose and hosing it down while the structure is set up. I use the same on most of my equipment, lawn chairs, tables, etc...
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phil
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Post by phil » Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:14 pm

I'm told that putting the tent up to dry (instead of trying to spread it out) works really well
Yes, it does. My apologies. I haven't had a lawn the last couple of years, so I haven't had a place to erect the tent. I've just spread it out in the space we have and let it dry in the sun.
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The CO
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Post by The CO » Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:59 pm

Set it up, spray with vinager solution, spray down with hose. Has worked well for several years for me.
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madmatt
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Re: how to clean ya tent??

Post by madmatt » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:04 pm

Mad Madame wrote:hey fellow tenters... those people who didn't have the fortune of rv'ing it...

any tips on how to get the tent cleanish? before heading out there i water-proofed my tent, so thinking that spraying it down with water is not going to do the job, but don't want to just leave it all dusty.

any helpful hints would be much appreciated.

cheers! and thanks for a wicked burn everyone!

love and guts,
mmmm
After emptying it and shaking it out, take the whole entire cloth part of the tent and dump it in your bathtub or other very large tub, fill it with water, and toss in a few big cups of vinegar.

Soak for a while.

Rinse it out on your driveway with a hose to get rid of the vinegar smell. Let it dry in your backyard or on your roof. Vinegar+playadust=no playa dust.
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Mad Madame
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thanksguys

Post by Mad Madame » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:47 pm

thanks for all the advice guys...!

mmm
if you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right- Henry Ford
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