How To Clean A Smelly Waterproof Tent?

It is inevitable that through use our tent becomes smelly. I am the first to admit that I sweat profusely in my sleeping bag. It is just expected that my tents smell like a bear cave after a month of continued fishing trips. I thought of sharing my knowledge about how to clean a smelly waterproof tent.

There are of course other reasons why your tent might end up smelling. I remember one particularly fatal trip, when I set up my beloved Naturehike Mongar 2 in an area with sheep droppings. What can I say…it was already dark, difficult visibility and made an innocent mistake. However it didn’t stop my tent from smelling absolutely terrible. The smell was with me the whole duration of the trip and even after packing it away. I needed to clean my smelly waterproof tent. Here are some general ideas on what to do when cleaning a smelly waterproof tent.

Hot To Clean A Smelly Waterproof Tent: Step-by-Step Guide

Preparation – Remove Debris From The Tent

You want to start with a big win and remove all the debris from he tent. Having a pop-up tent like the NightCat Pop Up tent comes really handy. You can just pick up the tent, and shake all the debris out. Check the pockets inside too! How many times I have found food remains in the pockets that were causing the smell. If you have a double wall tent, you might want to remove the rainfly.

If you don’t have a pop up tent, avoid using a vacuum cleaner to clean it. The hard suction might damage the floor of the tent.

Before you start, ensure you have all the necessary cleaning materials ready. These include the cleaning agent, a soft sponge, a bucket, lukewarm water, and baking soda.

Check For Mould

If there are any dirty spots, stains inside, this is the time to recognise them. One of the main reason why tents smell is mold. If you put your tent away in wet, most likely some mold appeared. If so, you might want to apply a mold cleaning solution to the tent. My personal favourite is the Starbrite Mold Cleaner, but the Nikwax tent and gear solar wash works just as well.

Washing The Waterproof Tent

Create the Cleaning Solution

Mix a small amount of mild soap in a bucket of lukewarm water. Similarly, if you bought Nikwax or Starbrite or Gear Aid Revivex, then this is the time to follow the instructions on the bottle and mix appropriately.

You can hand wash your tent in a bathtub or you can apply the solution while the tent is set up. I prefer doing it with my tent set up. Simply because then I can let it dry right after I am finished cleaning it. If you do it in the bathtub, make sure you have a drying line or any other large surface where you can hang out your tent.

Cleaning The Tent

• The trick is to use a gentle sponge and soft strokes.
• Apply the tent cleaning solution evenly over the material.
• Massage the solution around the material. If you see any dirt that doesn’t want to come off, then rub it with a soft sponge. Rub it longer but not harder to avoid damaging the tent material.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Make sure all the cleaning solution comes off.

Odor Absorption with Baking Soda

After rinsing, sprinkle baking soda liberally all over the inside of the tent. Allow it to sit for a few hours or overnight to absorb any remaining odors.

One thing is crucial with baking soda. Make sure the tent is completely dry. If eve a drop of water falls on the baking soda it will create a pasty white layer.

Brush off the baking soda with a clean, dry cloth. Shake out the tent to remove any remaining residue.

Drying

After all this work your tent should be clean as a whistle and smell fresher when you first laid hands on it. Now let your tent air dry in a shady, well-ventilated area. For me my garage is the perfect place for drying my tents. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent degradation of the fabric and waterproof coating.

If you pack away your tent before it dries out completely, the mold causing bad smells can return.

Best Materials For Cleaning a Smelly Waterproof Tent

Here is a list of materials to use when cleaning a smelly waterproof tent.

• Mild Soap: Ideal for cleaning your tent without damaging the waterproof layer. Brands like Nikwax Tech Wash are specially designed for outdoor gear.
• Vinegar: A natural, non-toxic alternative that’s great for combating smells. Dilute it with water before use. Works magic with cotton canvas tents.
• Lemon Juice: The acidity in lemon juice can help kill bacteria and neutralize odors.
• Specialty Tent Cleaners: Products such as Granger’s Tent Cleaner or Gear Aid Revivex are designed specifically for cleaning tents without compromising the waterproof layer.

My personal favourite is the Gear Aid Revivex. You can use either the odor eliminator or the pro cleaner version. It is all natural, uses a concentrated blend of active ingredients that goes deep into the fabric to remove the bad smell. Other materials just don’t go as deep and do such a thorough job as this one.

I sometimes get the question if it is a necessity to buy speciality tent cleaners or not? In my experience a mild soap can work just as well. If you are on a budget, then vinegar, lemon juice of mild soap works great.

Baking soda, a common household ingredient, is surprisingly effective at getting rid of odors. To use baking soda to clean a smelly waterproof tent, begin by sprinkling a generous amount of it directly onto the interior surface. Allow the baking soda to sit for as long as possible – a few hours, or even better, overnight. Brush off the baking soda with a clean, dry cloth. Shake out the tent to remove any residual baking soda. The biggest drawback of using baking soda is if it gets even a little bit wet, it creates a white, paste-like material on the surface. Apply the baking soda in a dry, closed garage or storage facility.

What Not To Do When Cleaning A Waterproof Tent That Smells

Avoid Machine Washing

The agitation in a washing machine may cause damage to the tent’s seams or fabric. Always opt for hand washing.

No Bleaching

Bleach is too harsh a chemical for the material of your tent. It is the same case with ammonia. It could degrade the waterproof properties of your tent.

Don’t Scrub Too Hard

One of the biggest mistakes I see when cleaning waterproof tents is thinking the harder I scrub, the cleaner my tent will be. In fact scrubbing too hard will just damage the waterproof layer and potentially tear the material. Go easy on your tent.

Avoid Direct Sunlight When Drying

Extended exposure to direct sunlight can degrade the fabric and the waterproofing of your tent. Instead, choose a shady, well-ventilated location.

Never Pack Away Your Tent Wet

This is the first commandment of tent storage. If you pack your tent wet, it will 100% develop mildew or worse, destroy the waterproof coating for good.

No Machine Drying

Drying your tent in the washing machine, or a tumble drier will tear the fabric apart. Even if your tent fabric survives, the heat is guaranteed to destroy the waterproof coating.

Do I need to re-waterproof my tent after cleaning it?

Even though it is not a must, I would apply the waterproofing layer again after cleaning my tent. The reason is just to be safe. You can not be sure if the coating got damaged or not. The first step to waterproofing your tent would be to clean it anyway. While you have your tent set up and cleaned, why not go all the way and re-waterproof it?!

Extra Steps To Avoid Having A Smelly Waterproof Tent

Don’t Cook Inside The Tent

It is okay to use a small stove inside if your tent is big enough. However the smokes and steam can eat itself into the walls of your tent. Now, if you have a well ventilated double wall tent, like the Naturehike Mongar 2, or the NTK Colorado, then you can get rid of the smells by ventilation. However in any other case I recommend cooking in the vestibules or outside the tent.

Eating inside will surely result in food residue falling on the ground floor. The biggest issue is not only the smell, but small bugs and animals being attracted by the smell. Here are some ideas on how to avoid bugs coming into your tent.

Store Your Tent In Its Carry Bag

I have made the mistake before of storing my tents in plastic bags in the off season. The issue with this solution is that these bags trap all the moisture, and don’t allow the tent to breathe. You are guaranteed to get a horrible case of mold if the tent is just even a little dirty or when when you pack it away.

Conclusion

As you see it is not rocket science to clean a smelly waterproof tent. You can even do it with mild soap found at home. You don’t necessarily need to invest in other cleaning solutions. However the key is to pack the tent away clean and dry after. If you can keep mold away, your battle to clean a smelly waterproof tent is 80% won.