Cleaning your Bell Tent
Constant cleaning may have a negative impact on the waterproofing of the tent. But it’s really important that you get in a good maintenance regime with your tent to protect it from damage and have it ready for your next trip.
Make sure you read our Bell Tent Cleaning Guide to maintain and clean your tent to the best standard.
Packing Away a Bell Tent
When it comes to getting your bell tent ready for storage, timing and conditions play a crucial role. If you have ample time, and sufficient energy, and the weather is pleasant—specifically dry—you can consider packing your tent away at the campsite itself. This is ideal as it allows for immediate tidying without the need to reassemble the tent later. Make sure to shake out any dirt or debris from inside the tent, and check all corners for any stray items that may have been left behind. This proactive approach not only saves time but also helps maintain the longevity of your tent by ensuring it is packed away clean and dry.
Conversely, if you find yourself packing in less-than-ideal conditions, such as rain or with time constraints, it’s essential to remember that you will need to set up the tent again once you return home. When dealing with a wet tent, moisture can lead to mould and mildew if not handled properly. Therefore, prioritize unpacking and drying your tent as soon as you can. Set it up in a spacious area where airflow can circulate, allowing it to dry thoroughly before storing it away. This process is vital in preserving the integrity of the fabric and ensuring that your bell tent remains in excellent condition for your future camping adventures.
Drying Bell Tents
The most important thing is to make sure your tent is dry before packing it away. If it isn’t dry at the campsite when packing away get it back out at home, allow it enough time to fully dry. Either set it up in the garden when it’s sunny or inside hanging up in a warm room.
If it is at all wet or damp it becomes the perfect environment for mould and mildew, which could ruin your tent or at the very least make it smell really bad. Once mould takes hold on the material, it’s a nightmare to get rid of. Remember the tent could be damp even if it hasn’t rained during your trip, you need to give time for morning dew to dry too.
Air your Bell Tent
Open all door and window flaps to allow your tent to air out. No one wants to smell the remnants of the last trip during the adventure. Leave it air as much as possible, giving everything to breathe and allowing any minor, non-visible spots to dry out. To ensure a fresh and pleasant camping experience, it’s essential to air out your tent after your last adventure properly. Begin by fully opening all door and window flaps to create maximum ventilation. This will help eliminate any lingering odours from your previous trip and prevent any mildew or mould from forming.
Aim to leave the tent open for as long as possible, ideally in a shaded area with a gentle breeze. This allows the fabric to breathe and helps any small, non-visible damp spots dry out thoroughly. Consider using a tent footprint or a tarp underneath to protect the lower fabric from moisture or dirt during this process.
Cleaning Bell Tent
Sweep out any mud, dirt, or leaves that have found their way into the tent. If it’s been wet and muddy you may need to wipe the ground sheet floor with a damp cloth to clean it. Avoid using any chemicals for this as even washing up liquid can remove the waterproof protection on canvas if it comes into contact.
Exterior Cleaning of Bell Tent
Brush off any fallen leaves from the outsides of the tent and check for any damage or badly stained patches that need further attention. If there are really bad stains a full clean might be needed. If there are any rips or tears patches can be bought for these or you can find an awning and tent repair company.
Final Pack of Tent
Tie the guy ropes up neatly so they don’t get tangled and fold the tent away as neatly as you can in the tent bag. Your tent is now ready to go on it’s next adventure and will stay warm and dry in it’s bag preventing any damage.
