Cleaning a Tent

[RedLeader]

Whats the best way to clean a tent? I tend to put them up in the garden beneath a tree and they get covered in bird crap and I'm assuming it's not good to store them without cleaning.

[MG1]

Never came across this problem its just usually the ground sheet needs cleaning after a camp.

[MG1]

You could probley used warm suddy water and a sponge or wait till it drys off and scrape it off.

[RedLeader]

You could probley used warm suddy water and a sponge or wait till it drys off and scrape it off.

I was wondering if soapy water might take the waterproof coating off.

[Neiltoo]

It depends a lot on what the fabric is but generally you want to avoid ordinary detergent. Use something designed for waterproof fabrics like Nikwax Tech wash or Grangers - they will not effect the waterproofness of the tent.

I would put the tent up on a dry day and sponge the dirt off and then leave it to dry.

[Celt_Ginger]

Fabsil (made by grangers) have a universal cleaner that is designed with tents in mind. Tents are usually made from reasonably tough material. If you have bird poo on it then by all means use washing up liquid in warm water to remove it, though a proper cleaner should remove it as well. Tech wash etc is fine also. I have even used white spirit on mine (the manufacturer told me to use it) to remove tree sap. You will need to reproof the tent afterwards though, but there are plenty of products that will do that job.