Every good camper knows: if you take care of your gear, your gear will take care of you. General wear and tear takes a toll on all gear. Tents especially take the brunt of the elements. From wind to rain, snow, and sun. Your tent is protecting you from it all. But when you give a little extra attention and maintenance, your tent will last a lifetime.
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Why Care for Your Scout Tent?
Your tent is the most essential piece of camping gear you have! It’s your shelter and home away from home. No matter how rugged the tent, general maintenance is necessary from time to time. After all, they tend to go through a lot. Tents withstand the elements, insulate and cool the interior, and store gear. All while they house some pretty adventurous people!
So what can you do to take care of your tent? It’s easy! Just pay attention to the condition of your tent with every use. That will guide you in the right direction. Anything might be necessary! From stitching frayed ends to spot cleaning, and more. Here are our best ways to be prepared to take the best care of your tent.
General Maintenance
This is your guide to know how to maintain your scout tent. When you keep your gear in great shape, you will notice the difference! We all know how it feels to pitch a tent only to realize it’s looking a little worse for wear. When you take regular care of your tent, you won’t have to worry about that feeling! All you need to worry about is how much fun you’re having outdoors. So put in a little work here and there, and enjoy the fruits of your labor all season long.
It Starts with Great Canvas
Start with a high-quality canvas, and you can’t go wrong! A canvas scout tent has incredible, long-lasting qualities that will serve you well. It’s built to shield the elements yet feel luxurious at the same time. Heavy-duty cotton canvas like this is built to last a lifetime. Keep it that way with basic maintenance!
Army duck cotton canvas is the best type on the market. For adventures in any season, this material has you covered. It’s naturally insulating and breathable. That means the tent can naturally regulate temperature. Additionally, it’s super durable against high winds, rain, and snow. A water-resistant coating ensures moisture does not set in. UV-resistance also shields against sun damage.
Start with a strong, long-lasting canvas like this, and maintenance will be a breeze!
Do Regular Check-Ups
Do regular check-ups on your tent to stay on top of maintenance. Before and after every use, act like you are doing a full inspection. Take the tent out completely, the stakes, and the guy lines. Lay the tent out completely in good light. Feel over all the seams, zippers, windows, and doors. Give the material a good scan over to spot any tears, rips, or holes that need repair.
Check to see that all your guy lines are intact and still strong. Make sure you have all the stakes you’ll need, plus extras, and a mallet. It doesn’t hurt to do a similar inspection of your tent bag! That material is what’s keeping your tent safe and secure, anyway.
To test the waterproofing, just hose down the tent! Wait for it to dry completely– or mostly– and notice any spots that are still damp. It might be time to refresh the waterproof finish, which we will talk about a little later.
Make Small Repairs in the Field
Once in a while, the wear and tear of your tent will reveal itself to you. Seams fray and holes tear– it can happen at any time. That’s why you need to be prepared in the field. Curate a small repair kit to pack in your camping accessories. Your kit should at least include patches, seam tape, and a heavy-duty needle and thread. Don’t forget scissors, a soft-bristled brush, and WD-40. Learn to address minor issues on your tent, and spare yourself from major dilemmas!
Repairing Small Holes and Rips
There are a couple of easy ways to deal with holes and rips that you notice on your camping trip. The first thing you’ll do is to gently clean the area. If you use water, let it dry completely. Ensure no dirt or moisture will end up trapped under the patch when you apply it.
Cut your patch slightly larger than the tear itself. You should leave yourself at least an extra half inch on all sides. Pull the tent taut, and apply an adhesive patch carefully, smoothing out any bumps. Apply a patch on either side of the tear.
Follow the same principles for stitch patches. Use your heavy-duty needle and thread to carefully stitch the patch on. Of course, don’t forget to stitch one onto the opposite side, too.
Repairing Frayed Seams
If you notice seams are fraying while you’re in the field, not to worry! Reinforcing weak seams is easy to do. Simply use seam tape or a flexible seam sealant, like silicone. Either method offers a great temporary solution in the field. Again, check that the affected area is completely clean before applying your materials.
Fixing a Stuck Zipper
Zippers can be annoying little things! To fix a stuck zipper, check to see if it’s dirty or rusty. If it is, you can easily start by cleaning it. Use a small brush and a little warm water to gently scrub along the track. This loosens any dirt and debris that may be jamming your zipper. Then, it’s important to lubricate the track. Campers can use a variety of items from their own packing! Petroleum jelly, a dry bar of soap, WD-40, and more are great options! Gently try running the zipper up and down, and you should notice a big difference.
How to Clean Your Scout Tent
When it comes to cleaning, your scout tent is pretty low maintenance! Spot cleaning is the best way to target stains and dirt. This method is great for canvas, as it usually does not require a full-blown wash. In fact, it helps preserve the material to be just spot-cleaned on occasion.
Spot Cleaning
A great way to keep your tent clean and safe from damage is to spot clean it! Small particles of dirt, debris, and mud can build up over time. Trapped moisture can eat away at the canvas fibers. Dirt particles cause friction that frays the material. So keep that tent clean!
After every use, sweep the inside, and brush off as much dirt as possible on the outside. If it’s damp, lay it out to dry in the sun. Always avoid packing up a damp tent!
To spot clean it, you’ll need warm water, mild soap, and a soft-bristle brush. Gently scrub out the affected area. Be careful not to scrub too hard to fray the canvas. No need to worry about washing down the entire tent. When you’re all finished, lay the tent out in the sun or a covered area to dry completely before packing it back up.
Refresh the Waterproofing
After lots of use– especially in the fall and winter– you may need to reapply waterproofing. But don’t find out the hard way! The best thing to do is to check before packing for your trip. Just lay out your tent and hose it down. Watch closely to see if the water rolls off the material, or if it’s absorbing. If the latter, it’s time for a refresh!
On a warm day, lay the tent out completely. Give it a good spot cleaning, making sure there is no dirt or debris anywhere. Then, follow the instructions on your waterproof product of choice. Some solutions require diluting with water. Others may be in spray form.
Depending on the product instructions, you may need to apply it as a spray or with a roll-on brush. Make sure the layers are as evenly applied as possible. Let the product dry in the sun completely before packing up for your next camping trip!
Wrapping Up…
When you know how hard your tent is working for you, you’ll want to take extra good care of it. That’s why it’s so important to learn to do regular maintenance on it. The good news is, you don’t need to be an expert fixer-upper to do it! All you need is a reliable tent to begin with, a few key items in your repair kit, and a positive attitude.
A strong canvas scout tent will hold up to much more than you think it will! Take it through all the seasons, and you’ll be amazed at its durability. That said, it’s always a good idea to carry a tent repair kit with you. Keep it basic! Patches, stitching supplies, and seam sealant will be just fine. Keep your tent clean between every use to reduce the chances of damage.
Before you know it, you will become a DIY scout tent maintenance expert at making small repairs in the field. With these skills, you can enjoy years of adventures to come!
Happy camping!
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