How to Clean a Tent with Mould and Mildew

Embarking on a camping trip is a great way to enjoy nature and everything it has to offer, but this does include experiencing the negatives like wind and rain. When your tent is exposed to these conditions it encourages the growth of mould and mildew when stored or cared for incorrectly. These issues can ruin your tent and cause health problems for campers who continue to use mouldy tents.

To ensure your tent is restored to a clean and safe haven for cosy camping, in this blog we’ll teach you how to clean a tent with mould and the steps you can take to stop it coming back. 

Are you looking for your own luxury tent? At Boutique Camping we’ve got a selection of high-quality bell tents that let you enjoy your home comforts even in wet weather. 

What Are Mould and Mildew?

Before you learn how to clean a tent with mould properly you need to be able to accurately identify mould and mildew and know the difference between the two. 

Mould

Mould is a species of fungus that grows from humidity and dampness. It’s most commonly characterised by its furry appearance and appears in dark circular patches when present on fabrics. Mould will stand out on white or pale tents as it is often black or green, although it can also be white. 

If mould isn’t visible to the naked eye, the biggest indicator that you’ve got a mould issue is a distinctive strong smell in your tent bag or on the fabric. 

Mildew

Mildew is a less severe type of mould that is paler than mould and usually appears as more dense patches of grey or yellow. Mildew is less serious than mould but still has a musky smell and will develop into mould if left untreated. 

Both mildew and mould can cause health issues like allergic reactions and breathing problems as well as ruin your possessions.

How Do Mould and Mildew Develop on a Tent?

There are a few reasons that can lead to mould growth on your tent and they are all related to moisture lingering on the fabric. The most common culprits for mould are:

Storage Issues 

Folding your tent away for storage when it’s still damp or storing your tent somewhere other than a cool, dry place encourages the rapid growth of mould and can make your tent smell of musky water when it dries.  

Humidity 

If you’re camping in a very humid area without any cooling methods or ventilation like open tent doors and windows this encourages moisture to settle on the tent. This water sits on the interior and exterior walls as condensation which then absorbs into the fabric and can cause mildew.

Wet, Undried Tents

There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in the rain whilst out camping, but in a rush to get out of the cold and damp conditions, many people quickly pack their tent away whilst it’s still wet. This is the biggest cause of mould and mildew growth on your tent fabric.  

What Tools Do I Need to Clean Mould from a Tent?

Before you learn how to clean a tent with mould you need to ensure you’ve got all the right equipment for the job:

• Soft bristle brush, sponge

• Power washer 

• Bucket

• Gentle detergent or specialist mould cleaner

• Tent waterproofer

• Tent wash

• Clean tent bag

• White vinegar solution

How to Clean a Tent with Mould

Pitch Your Tent

The first step when tackling how to clean a bell tent with mould is to pitch your tent outside. This will allow you to see all sides of the fabric and identify the areas with mould and mildew that need treatment. 

If you don’t have enough space to pitch your tent at home or you’ve noticed the mould has become a serious issue you may want to consider sending your tent off to a cleaning specialist to ensure it is treated properly and all mould and mildew is eliminated. 

Select Your Cleaner

Choose what cleaning solution you’d like to use to remove the mould or mildew from your tent. You can use a homemade mixture of white vinegar and water, but we’d recommend using a purpose-made tent cleaning solution like Nikwax tech wash to get the best clean at home. 

If you opt for a vinegar solution, fill a bucket or container a quarter of the way with vinegar and then fill the rest with water to make your mixture.

For tent wash, follow the instructions provided by each brand on the bottle. If you want to know the measurements for Nikwax, you can follow our handy video tutorial. 

You can keep your cleaning solution as it is in a bucket or pour the mixture into a pressure washer to evenly disperse it across the tent. 

Start with a Spot Clean

Once you’ve identified the areas with mould and mildew, go in with your sponge or soft brush and work the cleaning solution into the tent fabric. Scrub consistently but not too hard so you don’t damage your tent. 

If mould or mildew stains are stubborn you may need to let the solution sit or wait for the area to dry before going back in and repeating the process. 

Go in for a Full Tent Clean

Once you’ve cleaned all the visible areas and spots of mould it’s time to go in and clean the full tent. Remember that mould spores are not always visible so only cleaning areas with coloured marks will not rid the tent of mould completely.

This is where it’s ideal to use a pressure washer, as you can get a quick and even spray of detergent across the entire tent, even in those harder-to-reach areas when a tent is pitched. Give your tent exterior a once-over with your sponge, making sure to clean all accessories, including the poles and ground sheets, as mould can also grow here. 

Rinse off the Soap  

Fill up your pressure washer with clean water or if you’re in your garden use your garden house to rinse all the soap off of your tent. You want to ensure the water coming off your tent runs clean as soap residue can cause issues with the fabric of your tent.

Reproof Your Tent

Washing your tent can remove mould but it can also remove any waterproofing from your tent. To ensure you stay protected against rain and to prevent further mildew growth, we recommend re-waterproofing your tent. 

To do this you can follow our blog on how to waterproof a tent. Use a waterproofing solution and apply this straight after cleaning. This will give your tent a coating that allows water to slide off and reduces the chance of water absorption which can encourage mould growth. 

Wait for Your Tent to Dry

It’s crucial that you wait until your tent is completely dry before packing it away. Storing tents away whilst still wet is the main cause of mould development and you don’t want to spend time carefully cleaning your tent for the issue to reappear. 

To help speed up the drying process, open all tent doors and windows to let air circulate. The best way to let your tent dry is to leave it pitched outdoors, but if you’re short on time or need to use your outdoor space, you can hang your tent on the washing line to dry too.

Feel your tent to ensure it is fully dry across all the fabric before packing it away. 

Top Tip: Use a replacement tent bag once your tent is clean as the previous bag could still be holding mould spores from storing your mouldy tent. 

How to Stop Mould from Coming Back

Now you know how to clean a tent with mold. You'll need to make sure you do everything you can to stop it coming back. 

Proper Storage 

As we’ve mentioned before, the main cause of mould growth is storing your tent in its bag whilst it’s still damp. Be sure to wait until your tent is completely dry before packing it away. If this isn’t possible due to rain or wet conditions, pack your tent away and then hang it to dry on a washing line or pitch it in your garden as soon as possible. 

Regular Cleaning

To keep your tent in top condition and prevent mould before it occurs, make sure you give it a wash every so often. It’s ideal to do this after heavy rainfall or if you’ve been caught in the muddy fields at festivals or out wild camping. 

Ventilation 

When you’re out on your camping trip, if you’re able to, take some time each day to open all the doors and windows in your tent. This will ventilate your tent and help to prevent condensation and humidity which can settle on the tent fabric and cause mould. We’ve also got a blog on how to stop condensation in a tent to ensure your tent stays in the best condition. 

Choose the Right Tent

By far the best way to ensure you stay mould and mildew-free is with a high-quality tent and there’s no better choice than a Boutique Camping bell tent. 

Our tents are made from breathable cotton and polycotton fabric which allow for adequate airflow in and out of the tent whilst still keeping you warm inside. This ventilation helps keep condensation down, while our pre-waterproofed fabrics help prevent water from absorbing into the fabric and causing mould growth. 

To find out more about how our fabrics can help you get the most out of your tent, check out our fabric guide.

Say Goodbye to Mould with a Boutique Camping Bell Tent

Now you know how to clean a bell tent with mould you should have all the tools and knowledge to keep your tent in top quality condition. To ensure you get the highest quality tent, investing in a bell tent from Boutique Camping is the surest bet. 

All of our tents are specially designed with longevity and comfort in mind so when you purchase one of our designs you’re investing in a luxury glamping experience to enjoy for years to come.

For more tips on tent cleaning or for advice on which tent is right for your adventures, contact our camping experts and we’ll be on hand to help.