Tents are a big investment and should be taken care of in order to last. Whether you plan on using it once or frequently, proper tent care will make sure your shelter remains intact for years!
Here I give 5 easy-to survive but important tips for caring for your investment into the outdoors with proper maintenance and respect!
Our Top 5 Tent Maintenance Tips
A) How to choose and set up the tent correctly
● Set up in established sites
Even though it may seem like a daunting task, pitching your tent is easier than you think. The first care tip for making sure that everything goes smoothly and without incident from start to finish: find an established site with few rocks or sticks on the ground near trees where pets can’t wander (and who wants them eating their belongings?). And make sure nothing’s poking at least 3 feet into any part of your sleeping quarters-even if it’s just grass!
Consider using a footprint or a waterproof tarp under your tent to protect the floor from abrasion. The footprint will also help prevent pooling water under the tent if it rains.
● Avoid direct sunlight to prevent UV damage
You need to protect your tent from UV rays because they can easily damage it. Even the toughest tents degrade over time and when exposed, polyester becomes weak while nylon tears easily with no chance for repairing or restoring them again once this has happened!
B) How to store the tent properly
● Dry the tent well before storage
Tents are meant to provide protection from the elements so you don’t have to worry about rain or snow. But what happens when water finds its way inside? You can get fabric wear-and-tear as well as mildew growth on fabrics which will lead to staining and an unpleasant odor. This is all thanks to storing your tent when wet!
Tent coatings like DWR (Durable Water Resistant) won’t do their job properly if there’s too much moisture building up within them due to hydrolysis – aka breaking down due to chemical reactions between components in bodily fluids such as saltwater corrosion caused by sunlight and moisture.
So, if you have a tent that is covered in condensation, or it rains and you’re forced to leave your wet tent at the campsite, don’t fret. Unpack and dry your tent completely once you get home, and pitch it on the back lawn, garage, or over the drying racks in the house. You can also hang it on a clothesline if it’s small enough to handle.
● Fold it differently each time
When the tent is completely dry, inside and out, you can pack it for storage. Fold differently each time to avoid permanent creases in one area of your tent – they’ll age faster that way! Over time these folds may become frayed or brittle if not carefully cared for by brushing off dust every now then so make sure yours has an easy access spot where the cloth covering meets metal rod stakes as well.
● Do not use a tent bag for storage; instead, use an oversized meshed bag
Keep your tent in tip-top shape by putting it into an oversized mesh or breathable cotton bag. You can even use a pillowcase for storage instead of buying the optional bags, but make sure to keep them away from direct sunlight so they don’t get fried or fade of color!
● If possible, assemble the poles during storage
To avoid damaging the poles, be sure to store them fully assembled. Stacking anything on top of your tent pole can also reduce its lifespan and cause tension in joints which could lead you to have trouble using it at some point down the line!
C) How to clean your tent
When you notice that your tent has been dirty for an extended period of time, the best thing to do is clean it. It could come from bird droppings or sand particles sticking together in an area with no way out and impossible to wash off by hand – that would have to be cleaned all over again when these clumps of dirt later return south as winter approaches again!
To avoid this hassle (and frustration), simply rinse off any loose grime using water pressure through a garden hose before putting it away for storage during warmer months at higher elevations where land surfaces tend not only to generate less humidity but also have consistently cleaner air than near coastlines due to nearby industrial outflows like smokestacks from power plants belching harmful emissions into our skies
D) How & when to seam seal your tent
Sealing the seams of your tent is a great way to make sure that it performs well in wet weather. You can use sprays, glue, or tape for this purpose; but ensure you read any application instructions before using them as not all types may be appropriate on every type of material!
E) How to take care of your tent poles
When setting up your tent, be sure to take care of the poles. To assemble it correctly and avoid any damage from occurring on their end or cracking in half with too much force being applied- make sure you insert them fully before bending down as this will help prevent breaks easier than if there were spaces where metal meets plastic!
When you are disassembling the poles, begin from the middle and move outwards. This will help to even out the tension on the joint. And if it’s been a while since your last trip, or if you were camping in salty or dusty conditions, it may be a good idea to clean the poles with a soft and dry cloth. Pay special attention to intersections.
Conclusion
If you take good care of your tent, it will last as long or longer than the manufacturer’s warranty! This is especially true if you know how to deal with minor issues like repairing tent mesh. So, be sure to keep everything clean and dry so that bacteria doesn’t start growing in there.
Take time every now and then (maybe once a year) for an outside-in inspection – look at poles first since they’re often stressed by wind storms etcetera most frequently; then check seams’ tightness before setting up completely.
About the author: Ally Mash is a wilderness explorer who has backpacked throughout South America, Iceland, and Europe. He loves sharing his adventures with others through blogging because he believes that everyone should be in the mindset of protecting our planet’s beauty as much they can!
