Tent Care & Maintenance

Factors such as humidity, UV exposure, and mould spores significantly impact the lifespan of your tent. Regular cleaning and re-treatment greatly extend its longevity and are essential for cotton tents. Looking for some tips and tricks on how to maintain your tent, store it properly, and carry out periodic maintenance? Read on to find out the best ways to take care of your tent.

• Sweep your tent inside and out, or use a leaf blower for convenience.
• Remove dry mud, dirt, bird droppings, etc., by rinsing thoroughly and using a soft brush.

Machine Wash 

• Cotton and poly-cotton tents can be machine washed with a mild detergent in a cold cycle (max 30°C).
• Remove the groundsheet and guy lines, place them in a large washing machine, or send them to a professional cleaning service.

Note: A heavily soiled tent can come out clean after being washed in a machine, but chances are it won't come out unscathed. If mould has already significantly damaged the fabric, tears or holes may occur. 

Dealing with mould and Stains

Our Canvas Cleaner is perfect for removing dirt, stains, and green buildup of any kind, except for mould.  If your tent has mould, check out our Stain Remover.

• After washing with soap, your tent will no longer be waterproof as the soap dissolves the coating. Next steps: thoroughly rinse the tent to remove all soap residues, let it dry completely, and re-impregnate with CanvasCare Waterproofer.
• Canvas tents are like jeans; they shrink slightly when washed. This shrinkage is beneficial for new tents, as it tightens the fibers and improves water resistance.

Note: A tent washed with soap will require 2 to 4 times more re-treatment to restore waterproofing than one that hasn’t been washed with soap.

If your tent has not been cleaned with soap, simply spray CanvasCare Waterproofer generously on both the inside and outside of the tent and let it dry. The only requirement is that your tent is clean and dry before applying the waterproofer.

If your tent has been washed with soap, it will require 2 to 4 times more waterproofing solution to restore its water resistance. Apply using a sponge, paint roller, or sprayer and press the liquid into the fabric, allowing it to soak in. Use the recommended amount as specified by the manufacturer.

Let the tent dry completely before storing. If it’s not sufficiently waterproofed, repeat the treatment.

Proper storage is crucial. Always ensure your tent is completely dry and clean before storing it for weeks or months. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Ensure Your Tent is CLEAN

To prevent mould growth, always store the tent clean and dry. Simply brush off dust and dirt with a soft brush before rolling it up. Also, clean the groundsheet properly before packing.

Never Store Your Tent WET!

If your trip is over, but your tent is still damp or wet, loosely fold it up and lay it out to dry within 72 hours. Make sure the tent, groundsheet, and guy lines are completely dry before long-term storage.

No garden or enough space? Pitch it briefly in a park or lay it open in your garage.

Our tents come with a waterproof coating from production, so they never get completely soaked—only the surface gets wet. Even on a cloudy day, a cotton tent can dry in about 30 minutes.

For folding a Sibley Bell Tent, check out our YouTube guide.

Store High and Dry

mould, mice, and mites are the biggest threats to stored tents. Store your tent in a cool, dry place. Avoid damp basements, garden sheds, barn or warehouse floors, and ensure mice can’t make it their home.

A properly maintained tent can last for many years!

Good or bad, mould is everywhere and an unavoidable part of the world we live in.

First things first: Cotton tents have been used for thousands of years worldwide. When it comes to durability and comfort, cotton is the undisputed champion—provided it receives the proper care. Like other fine materials, tools, or clothing, good maintenance is essential.

mould belongs to the fungi family. Unlike plants, it doesn’t derive energy from sunlight but from breaking down organic material. In simple terms, mould releases enzymes that decompose organic matter (essentially causing decay), and the resulting breakdown products provide the energy it needs to grow. mould is nature’s recycling system—an essential and fascinating part of the ecosystem that keeps our planet habitable.

Most moulds are not harmful to human health. A person without allergies or medical conditions is unlikely to be affected. However, it is generally advised to avoid mould exposure—don’t touch it, and don’t inhale it.

No natural material is mould-resistant without proper maintenance. Through extensive research, field observations, and experimentation, we have found that mould is a threat to your tent and can be challenging to remove.

Our R&D team prioritizes finding the perfect balance between comfort and durability. Comfort depends heavily on breathability—the heavier the coating, the less breathable the canvas, leading to increased humidity and temperature inside your tent. The lifespan of your tent is influenced by the quality and thickness of the canvas, as well as the effectiveness and longevity of its treatment.

A light, eco-friendly treatment is sufficient for most users. However, for long-term campers and extreme climates, we produce specialized tents.

Casual campers or glampers will rarely encounter mould. Keeping your tent clean and dry is enough to prevent it. Ensure your tent is completely dry before storage, including the groundsheet, guy lines, poles, stakes, and carry bags. If you can’t dry it immediately, roll it loosely for transport and spread it out at home—in your garden, garage, or living space—to dry. Never leave your tent damp for more than 72 hours.

If you're planning to use your tent long-term or live in it—we love you! True nature lovers know that quality gear requires proper maintenance. Follow these tips to keep mould at bay:

• Consider an Apex series tent, designed for long-term use.
• Inspect your tent regularly for early signs of mould (a good time is when you tighten the guy lines).
• Remove leaves, insects, bird droppings, and other debris from the canvas.
• Trim vegetation around your tent to prevent contact with tall grass or weeds.
• Ensure proper ventilation—use vents, windows, doors, and the 360° mesh walls in our ProTech and Apex series to allow airflow.
• Clean and re-treat your tent when necessary.

Note: If you live in your tent, expect to do a spring and autumn deep clean—just like a house. On a sunny day, the entire process will take a few hours.

Synthetic tent fabrics are less prone to mould. However, the average lifespan of a synthetic tent is so short that mould often doesn’t have time to develop before the tent is discarded.

Plastics aren’t biodegradable—our oceans and landfills are overflowing with them. Nylon and polyester tents are also difficult to repair, and tears are often irreparable. Unlike cotton, synthetic tents don’t breathe, making humidity control and comfort a challenge. They are also unsafe for tent stoves. And yes, synthetic tents still suffer from mildew—and it smells awful.

Each material has pros and cons, but we intentionally do not make polyester or nylon tents. It doesn’t align with our philosophy.

Stopping mould before it starts is key, but it can happen to anyone. For a detailed guide, read our blog post on cleaning and re-treating tent canvas.

• Identify it: mould appears in various forms and colors but is typically seen on canvas as small black, blue, or green spots.
• Kill it: Use CanvasCare Stain Remover.
• Clean if needed: Follow up with CanvasCare Cleaner.
• Re-waterproof your tent: Apply CanvasCare Waterproofer.

Deep Cleaning a Heavily Soiled Tent

While mould prevention is the best maintenance method, stains happen—especially in warm, biodiverse environments.

Before you start, keep these things in mind:

• Be realistic: The tent will never look brand new again, but a thorough cleaning can significantly extend its lifespan.
• Mould stains can be extremely stubborn. In some cases, mould may have already deteriorated parts of the canvas beyond repair.
• Check if your tent is worth saving before committing to a deep clean—it requires hard work and patience.
• Cotton tents are heavy—wet cotton tents are even heavier. Get help if needed.
• If you master this process and want to start a tent cleaning business—let us know! There’s demand for it.

What you’ll need:

• CanvasCare Cleaner
• CanvasCare Stain Remover
• CanvasCare Waterproofer
• A large tub or bathtub
• A sturdy pole for stirring
• A soft hand brush
• Plenty of water
• Plenty of time—you’ll need 24-48 hours of good weather
• A paint roller
• Cleaning supplies for the groundsheet (scrub brush, mop, mild soap)

The process, for about 90% of users, removing light mould and stains is straightforward:

1. Pitch the tent and brush off loose dirt with a soft brush broom.
2. Apply CanvasCare Stain Remover, treat both the inside and outside surfaces of your tent.
3. Scrub & Rinse – Gently scrub if necessary, then rinse thoroughly.
4. Let the tent dry completely.
5. Apply CanvasCare Waterproofer with a sponge or roller—press it into the fabric. Make sure to use enough waterproofing product!
6. Let the tent dry completely before storage. If the tent doesn’t appear to be completely waterproof, repeat the treatment.

The deep-cleaning process:

1. Pitch the tent and brush off loose dirt with a soft brush broom.
2. Apply CanvasCare Stain Remover, rinse thoroughly, repeat if needed.
3. Disassemble the tent, unzip the groundsheet, and clean it separately. If the guy lines are dirty, they can remain attached, and should also be re-treated to protect against UV damage.
4. Fill a tub with lukewarm water, add CanvasCare Cleaner, and mix well.
5. Completely submerge the tent, ensuring full coverage. Let it soak for 4-10 hours (overnight is fine).
6. Make sure your tent dries on a clean, dry surface. Scrub the groundsheet well, just as you would a kitchen floor.
7. After soaking the canvas, drain the dirty water, leaving the canvas in the tub.
8. Rinse the canvas once to remove any residual dirt.
9. If necessary, repeat the washing process.
10. Rinse thoroughly. Repeat this until most of the soap residue is gone.
11. Place the canvas on a clean groundsheet and pitch the tent.
12. Rinse the tent thoroughly with a garden hose to remove all soap residue.
13. Let the tent dry completely.
14. Apply CanvasCare Waterproofer with a sponge or roller—press it into the fabric. Make sure to use enough waterproofing product!
15. Let the tent dry completely before storage. If the tent doesn’t appear to be completely waterproofed,  repeat the treatment.
    For more cleaning and treatment information, click here.

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