I have a Moss Stardome II. Bought around 25 years ago. I keep it quite clean, but was thinking about washing it, and the fly, with that special sports soap to restore breathability, then wash it again with that water repellant soap that goes into the washing machine. While at it I figured I'd add my Patagonia rain jacket, which felt a little moist inside during a trip last week. Would probably go to a laundry mat.

Thoughts, concerns, criticisms?

The intent is to get it clean plus re-waterproof the tent and fly.

I just set it up in the backyard and hose it off. I do not use any soap, just a quick rinse and then let dry.

I usually wash mine in the fall. I just use a garden hose and a soft brush or washcloth and some tech wash for any real dirty areas. Then I leave it set up in the shade and then hang it for a few days in my garage where I have it hanging from hooks on the rafters.

I have washed one, one time. The tent, not the fly. A bunch of caterpillars got on it on the Eleven Point River, left a bunch of purple stains. In the great scheme of things it probably didn't matter, but I'm sorta anal and it bothered me.

I literally just finished hand washing one I just got back from a 5 day fishing trip with. It rained cats and dogs and it had quite a bit of dirt splash all the way around. I wash them with mild dish soap and a sponge or rag and the spray them of with the garden hose. Then I set up them up in my shed for a couple days to dry before putting away.

Not as a rule, but I don't like to put it away after things like mud was splashed on it. Usually a rinse though. Very seldom soap. My opinion putting away wet is worse than dirty.

quote nctry: "Not as a rule, but I don't like to put it away after things like mud was splashed on it. Usually a rinse though. Very seldom soap. My opinion putting away wet is worse than dirty."

+1 - rinse with the hose - use soft cloth - and dry

I have actually washed a couple of old Timberline Outfitter tents in my front loading machine. They smelled so bad it would not have been a loss if they didn't make it. They came out fine - I used that enzyme stuff Kanoes suggested - put up to dry and the smell improved some.

no

I wash my tent when it gets dirty from mud or pine sap from trees. I just use a mild soap like Dawn or Palmolive and rinse with a hose. Then I hang from a neighbors kids swing set and let dry.

I have watched outfitters like Piragis and Canadian Border Outfitters hang their outfitting tents after being out with renters and they hang tents from a big wooden stand setup with pulley's and give them a light wash and rinse and let them hang dry.

Backpacker Magazine Tent Wash

I went on-line and did a little more research on washing tents.

It appears that that dish soap may not be the best product of choice when washing a tent. Dish soap/detergents leave too much residue and can degrade tent coatings. May have to go to Nikiwax Tech Wash or something similar that leaves less residue and will not break down tent coatings.

Tent Wash and Care

Eureka Tent Cleaning Instructions

Big Agnes Tent Wash Instructions

This may be a bit overboard for some, but they're very serious about their bear protocol... Philmont Scout Ranch makes returning expeditions wash every tent issued to the crew. So each tent is getting washed every 7-12 days depending on itinerary. They go thru a lot of Nikwax.

Personally, I'll give a tent a good hose down if we were camped on a dirt patch and it rained. If it rained and we were set up on grass then no. Just set it up until dry inside and out & then store.

Usually get home from a trip and put in on a clothes line outside to dry completely,thereby prevent mildew. Also brush off dirt etc. As mentioned you could hose it down,than let dry.

Haven't found a need to wash tents. I use an outtie tarp under the tent and an innie tarp inside.

The tarps get hosed off after every trip.

quote Grandma L: "

quote nctry: "Not as a rule, but I don't like to put it away after things like mud was splashed on it. Usually a rinse though. Very seldom soap. My opinion putting away wet is worse than dirty."

+1 - rinse with the hose - use soft cloth - and dry


I have actually washed a couple of old Timberline Outfitter tents in my front loading machine. They smelled so bad it would not have been a loss if they didn't make it. They came out fine - I used that enzyme stuff Kanoes suggested - put up to dry and the smell improved some. "

Vinegar also apparently lifts smells and naturally softens fabric too, for what it's worth. Never used it on a tent but might help. Will also clean your front load washer as it's cleaning the tents.

quote SaganagaJoe: "

quote Grandma L: "

+1 - rinse with the hose - use soft cloth - and dry
I have actually washed a couple of old Timberline Outfitter tents in my front loading machine.

Vinegar also apparently lifts smells and naturally softens fabric too, for what it's worth. Never used it on a tent but might help. Will also clean your front load washer as it's cleaning the tents. "

Yup, the vinegar thing works to a certain extent. These tents were so bad - nothing helped much. Washed them with enzymes, vinegar and left them to air out for days. Finally are usable.

I hate to use the word "wash" since I knew a Boy Scout parent who tossed a tent in the washing machine - with very VERY bad results.

It appears that the key is using non-detergent soap, but good luck trying to determine exactly what that is. Woolite IS a detergent. Other than buying the use-specific soaps mentioned above, the best advice I've read is to buy Ivory or Castile bar soap, run it through a grater to turn it into flakes, and then dissolve it in hot water. Make sure you allow the solution to cool before using it.

Here are Eureka's cleaning instructions:

Clean the tent by setting it up and wiping it down with a mild soap (liquid hand soap) and lukewarm water solution. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely. Never use detergent, washing machines or dryers because they can damage the tent's protective coating and seams.

After cleaning, be sure the tent is completely dry, especially the heavier, double-stitched areas such as the seams, before storing or mold and mildew are likely to grow.

Here are REI's cleaning instructions:

Clean your tent after any long camping trip, especially if it was exposed to sand, fine dust, bird droppings or tree sap. If you do a lot of short trips, give your tent a gentle cleaning once per season.

Never machine-wash or machine-dry a tent. A washer, especially a top-loader with an agitator, can stretch or tear fabric, mesh and seams. Dryers can do the same, and can generate enough heat to do damage as well.

Do a basic cleaning. Use a non-abrasive sponge, cold water and a non-detergent soap. Gently scrub soiled areas by hand, being extra gentle on coated areas of the floor and fly.

Avoid household cleaners such as dishwashing liquid, bleach, spot removers or laundry presoaking products. Most household soaps are perfumed, which will ultimately attract insects, rodents and bigger creatures. Most of these soaps also impair a tent's durable water repellent (DWR) coating.

So really in the end if you're going to wash your tent use a mild non-detergent soap and definitely not in the machine. Get a big rubbermaid tub and wash it in there by hand or spot treat.

No

No, it has never crossed my mind to do so. But if I ever do, looks like the instructions kennk posted make sense.

quote Savage Voyageur: "I just set it up in the backyard and hose it off. I do not use any soap, just a quick rinse and then let dry. "

Same for me, wash it off with a hose inside and out in the backyard when I get back. Air dry, repack for the next trip.