Tent Care and Maintenance: Cleaning, Repairs and Storage
Tent care is easiest when small problems are found before the next trip. Follow the model’s manual, then use this clean, dry, inspect and repair routine for the complete shelter.
Clean gently
Pitch the tent on a dry day and remove loose soil with a soft brush or cloth. Use only cleaning products and methods approved for the fabric and coatings. Machine washing, strong detergent, bleach and solvents can damage seam tape, coatings or water-repellent finishes.
Dry every component
Dry the fly, inner, floor, footprint, poles or air tubes, pegs, guy lines and storage bag before long-term storage. If the tent must be packed wet, reopen it as soon as practical. Trapped moisture can encourage odour, mildew, coating damage and corrosion.
Inspect systematically
- Check fabric, seams, guy points and webbing for wear or small tears.
- Inspect zips for grit, damaged sliders and stressed stitching.
- Check poles, ferrules, shock cord, hubs or air valves for damage.
- Count pegs and confirm guy-line adjusters move correctly.
Match the repair to the material
A patch or adhesive must be compatible with the fabric and coating. Clean and dry the repair area, follow curing instructions and test the repair at home. Structural pole, hub, valve or seam failures may need the manufacturer or an authorised repairer. Do not improvise a structural fix and assume it is suitable for another trip.
Store it loose and protected
Store a fully dry tent in a cool, ventilated place away from direct heat, sunlight, fuel, chemicals and rodents. Avoid prolonged compression where the manufacturer recommends loose storage. Keep the trip bag and all setup parts together.
Browse tent repair and maintenance supplies or the tent range.