How to Waterproof a Tent

Glamping is a brilliant way to experience everything nature has to offer whilst enjoying the comforts of your home from inside a tent. A high-quality bell tent allows you to enjoy camping in all weathers, but it’s still important to take extra measures against rain to ensure you and your tent are kept safe and in the best condition.

In this guide, we’ll explain why tent waterproofing is an essential step in your camping care and how to waterproof a tent at home. 

For ultimate luxury and comfort in wet weather, browse our brilliant range at Boutique Camping and find the perfect bell tent to house all your glamping needs. 

Why Do You Need to Waterproof a Tent?

Tent waterproofing is an essential step for any adventurer. At Boutique Camping all of our polycotton tents come with waterproofing already applied. These waterproof tents are designed with synthetic polyester that helps you stay dry inside your tent whilst keeping your space breathable. The waterproof coating allows water to slide off the fabric which helps to prevent condensation build-up that over time can cause issues like mildew and mould. 

Leaving your tent unprotected from the rain and high UV rays can also cause irreversible damage to your bell tent and issues like leaks. 

The more time you spend out in the elements, however, the higher the likelihood of the waterproof coating wearing off. As such, campers should learn how to waterproof a tent to ensure they can enjoy all the benefits of a warm and dry tent. 

To find out more about the materials we use and which tents come pre-treated, check out our fabric guide.

How to Waterproof a Tent

The best way to waterproof a tent is by using a specially designed waterproofing solution. There are a number of different brands and methods that can be used to waterproof your tent, but the majority involve washing the solution into your tent. 

Select your waterproofing product

When selecting your tent care product we’d recommend the brand Nikwax. You can choose a tech wash designed to revitalise and reproof the waterproofing or choose cotton proof that adds waterproofing to any cotton tent. 

Clean your tent

Before you apply the solution to your tent, you want to ensure it’s clean of any dirt or grime. Any untreated mildew or mould can interfere with the waterproofing and actually cause further issues by making mould harder to remove. 

Set your tent up outside and prepare a detergent and water mix. If you only need to target small stains you can use a sponge or bristle brush to work the mixture into the affected area. For an in-depth guide on how to clean a bell tent, you can check out our dedicated guide for all the tips. 

Once the whole tent is clean, leave it pitched to fully dry before proceeding with waterproofing. 

Method 1 - Pressure Washer Method

Begin by adding a mixture of tent waterproofing solution and water into your pressure washer bottle. Once this is done, start by evenly spraying the solution across the entirety of your tent, being sure not to miss any undersides and guy rope areas.

Once you’ve sprayed the entirety of your bell tent, wait at least 5 minutes for the solution to absorb. Fill your pressure washer up with cold water and rinse the tent until any excess solution is gone. You should notice that the water now bounces off the tent and doesn’t absorb into the fabric. 

For a full tutorial on this method, we’ve got a dedicated waterproofing with Nikwax video you can watch.

Method 2 - The Bathtub Method

If you don’t have a back garden or don’t have enough space to pitch your tent outdoors at home then this is a great tent waterproofing method for you. 

If you haven’t cleaned your tent first, clean your tent using a mixture of hot water and Nikwax Solar Wash. Scrub any stubborn areas and rinse the tent clean using cold water from the showerhead or tap.

Next, fill the bath with hot water and the waterproofing solution and submerge the tent in the liquid, letting it sit again for at least 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and then place your tent on the washing line to dry. 

If you’ve got a smaller tent like a 3M bell tent, you can use a bucket or basin, but for larger tents, we’d recommend using the tub if it’s big enough. 

Method 3 - Choose a Professional 

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garden or outdoor space and this is what often inspires people to go camping in the first place. Modern homes or flats might also come without a bath and only offer showers. If you’ve not got a garden or a bathtub, then the best option for you is to consult a tent care specialist. 

You can send your tent off to them and they can give it a professional clean and apply tent waterproofing before sending it right back to you. Not only does this method save you time and money on tools, but it also ensures your tent is given the highest quality of protection against rain and water. 

Stay Cozy Through Wind and Rain with Boutique Camping

Now you know how important tent waterproofing is, it’s time to get you a quality glamping tent for use in all weathers. At Boutique Camping, each one of our bell tents has been lovingly designed by our team of experts to help maximise comfort and functionality all year round. 

“We have loads of space, it's warm I am never worried about the weather, we have had high winds, heavy rain and blazing sun, the tent just does its job. “ - Joanne

If you’re in need of any help waterproofing your tent or you’re looking for advice on the right tent model to take on your trip, get in touch with our team and we can help you pick the perfect bell tent for you!