There’s no better way to reconnect with nature than through the timeless allure of a canvas tent. From the insulation to the roominess, durability, waterproofing, and UV protection, a canvas camping tent takes your adventures to the next level. And White Duck’s DYNADUCK fabric– a water-repellent, mold and UV-resistant cotton canvas– makes the experience all the more practical and comfortable.
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Keeping canvas in prime condition is essential to its longevity, effectiveness, and your health and comfort. Forgetting to clean it over time means there’s a higher risk of the material developing toxins and lingering smells from mold and mildew, weather damage that gradually weakens the canvas, and more. That’s why it’s so important to establish regular careful maintenance geared specifically for canvas.
Before you get started, consider what environment and for how long you will have your tent set up. If you plan to have it set up long-term in the hot desert, you should be aware of how the heat will affect the UV treatment over time. If you’re setting up in a damp forest, it’s important to bring some extra towels and tarps to wipe off condensation and mud.
Here is a simplified step-by-step tutorial on how to clean your canvas camping tent:
Step 1: Selecting Your Campsite
One of the best things you can do to prevent wear and tear to your tent is to mindfully select your campsite. Try to avoid setting it up directly under trees where leaves, buds, bird droppings, or pollen are more likely to fall and stick to it. Try picking a smooth, even area of ground that’s been cleared of any mud, debris, or snow.
Step 2: Setting Up Your Tent
Two items that should become an essential part of your camping tent set up if they’re not already, are a ground tarp and a rain fly. Using a ground tarp to cover the interior floor of your tent makes clean-up and maintenance hassle-free. This will act as an extra durable barrier between the canvas floor and any dirt, mud, leaves, and other debris being tracked inside.
Installing a rainfly allows that little bit of extra exterior protection from not only precipitation but also sun damage and the weight of fallen debris that may weaken the tensile quality of the material.
Insecticides or bug repellents you plan to use mustn’t be sprayed directly onto the canvas or your tent, as these tend to discolor and wear down any treatments on the canvas.
Step 3: Venting Your Tent
Venting out your camping tent is an easy way to prevent mold and mildew from growing inside. Condensation happens when there is a difference between the outdoor and indoor temperature or humidity in the air. The beauty of canvas tents is that they typically have a way of pinning up the opening flaps to allow that airflow to happen.
Step 4: Sweeping Your Tent
Always keep a small broom to sweep up the dirt and debris being tracked throughout the duration of the trip. Either sweep directly out the opening or to be more thorough and precise, use a dustpan to collect it and dump it outside.
Another small way to minimize dirt inside is to keep shoes outside or in a designated spot inside near the opening. It may even be helpful to keep a bristle shoe duster at the entrance.
Step 5: Packing and Storing Your Canvas Tent
When you’ve reached the end of your adventure and it’s time to pack up the campsite, make sure you utilize a towel and a bristle brush to dry and wipe off the underside of the bottom of the tent as you fold it up.
Your tent must be completely dry before storing it to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Any moisture or dirt left in the fibers of the canvas creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and microbiome which will ferment and grow, creating not only a smell but potential for allergies and other health concerns.
If the canvas tent does happen to be a little damp at the end of your trip, leave the canvas unfolded and flat or draped to dry in the sunshine.
Spot Cleaning a Canvas Camping Tent:
You can spot-clean the tent if needed by using a clean, dry bristle brush to buff out any dirt or debris that may be stuck to the canvas. Use a damp cloth to try and pat out the spot. Always avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach that will weaken the material and eat away at any treatments on the canvas.
Soaking Canvas:
Upon your return home, you may find there is still some discoloration or blemishes that need cleaning. Giving your canvas tent a good soak never hurts! To do this, steer clear of heavy detergents and chemicals that may wear away at the color, treatments, and tensile strength of the canvas. Deconstruct the tent carefully, and either spray it down with a garden hose or for a deeper cleanse, soak and stir in a bin of warm water and mild soap. To dry, simply leave it stretched out in the sun.
Other Notes
Re-treating Waterproof & UV Protective Canvas
Once in a while, it’s a good idea to revisit how well-treated your canvas tent is. Especially upon returning from a long trip with lots of sun, rain, or snow exposure.
At White Duck, all our tents are made with our premium DYNADUCK fabric– cotton canvas treated for water repellency, mold, and UV resistance. Canvas that have been treated like this will inevitably require some extra attention over time and usage. On a warm dry day, brush off any dust or dirt from your canvas tent and apply a waterproofing spray. Ideally, you could use a waterproofing spray that also includes UV-repellent properties.
Zippers
Remember to show zippers some love too! Regularly give them a brush to eliminate dust and dirt so they continue to glide easily.
Remember, slight wear and tear is natural and a sign of a good adventure! Being mindful to apply a proper care and maintenance routine to your canvas tent will ensure there will be many more adventures to come.
Is dawn dish soap considered a mild detergent?
Yes, Dawn dish soap is generally considered a mild detergent suitable for cleaning tents.