7 Tips for Caring For Camping Tents
1. Keep the tent dry
If it rains while you’re camping, always let the tent thoroughly dry inside and out in the sun before packing it away, or you’ll have a mildew surprise next time you want to go camping. Hang it up on some low-hanging branches, or on the clothesline when you get home to let it dry out thoroughly, and then pack it away securely for next time.
2. Avoid folding your tents
As much as it may seem easier to fold the tents the same way every time, avoid folding your tents the same way every time during storage.
These sharp corners where the folds are used to being positioned may become harsh lines and develop into tears and holes with time.
A good rule of thumb is to roll the tent around the poles instead of folding it.
3. Design a safe method of cleaning up your tent
It is not harsh to the tent material to avoid water or force damage from washing machines or interfere with proofing nature.
Ensure you read user instructions for that particular tent to avoid using the wrong means.
Cleaners that use bleach as an ingredient should not be used. Bleach can cause fading and lead to damage to the canvas fabric, stitching, and waterproofing.
4. Make sure the poles and zips are always clean and dry before storage.
When the poles and zips have been used in damp, dusty, sandy, or salty conditions they must be cleaned and coated with a thin film of oil or silicon-based liquid spray before storage.
Many of the frame poles are connected with pole joiners which are designed to keep your poles organized and to allow quick assembly of the pole frame.
Overstretching or dropping the poles will easily damage the pole joiners and this is not covered by the warranty.
Please make sure you handle the poles carefully, especially when unpacking and packing away into the carry bag.
5. A lot of care must be taken when using your zips.
Never force a zipper – reduce tension so all zippers run smoothly without straining.
- It has zips closed when pegging out of the tent.
- It has zips open slightly (to allow air into the tent) during erection.
- Before the final tensioning of a tent closes all zips.
- Always use two hands to operate zippers.
- Damaging your product from over-tensioning may void your warranty.
6. Reducing the Risk of Jamming Fabric in the Zip
- When using the zip, hold the pull tab between your thumb and forefinger with your thumb facing you.
- As you are closing the zip, clear the way in front and under the zip slider using the back of your hand and cup the zip slider underneath with your remaining 3 fingers.
- Use this action for opening or closing. Keep the fabric clear of the zip slider – zip and unzip slowly.
7. What to do if the Zipper Gets Caught
- Pull the fabric bit by bit out of the slider. Do not try and pull all the fabric in one go.
- Do not force the slider or the fabric.
Bottom Line
Additional Care tips while storing, folding and preserving your tent.
Keep the doors and windows open in order to allow air to escape as the tent is collapsed. Letting the air escape as the tent collapses will make rolling and storing it easier. Rolling the tent toward the open doors and windows will help too.
Roll your tent lightly and neatly with poles and stakes (in their bags) rolled into the tent body. This technique uses tent poles as a structure to help roll the tent. A slow, tight roll of the tent is one of the easiest ways to compact the tent for an easy fit into the storage bag.
