Taking good care of your camping equipment can extend its life and give you years of enjoyment. Here are some handy tent tips for to keep your shelter well-maintained throughout the years.
First, keep your tent clean while you occupy it. Having a small dustpan and brush as part of your camping kit is an easy way to keep the inside of your tent clean and free from dirt and debris. When you start packing up, give it a good once over before you start rolling the tent. Brush down the outside of your tent as well. If the walls or floor of the tent are muddy or dirty, they can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution. Dry thoroughly before packing.
Unzip any doors and windows before packing to make sure as much air as possible can escape from the tent. Roll your tent slowly and tightly, rolling the stakes and poles into the body of the tent.
Storing your tent when it’s clean and dry is essential to getting the full potential out of this vital piece of equipment. No one wants to sleep in a musty, moldy tent next season. Of course, there is no guarantee of good weather when leaving a campsite. If you have to pack a wet tent, take it back out of the bag as soon as you get home and lay it out or hang it up to dry before following the usual packing process.
These same tips apply for any ground cover or tarps you have as part of your camping equipment. Clean and dry is the rule of thumb. This is also a great time to check for any rips or tears, or to reapply waterproofing as needed. Seal up rips with your repair kit or duct tape. Camping equipment suppliers may also offer patches that match the tent fabric. Check your zippers and make any repairs now rather than getting an unpleasant surprise on your next overnight.
Bonus tip: Every time you take down your tent, push the tent poles through the sleeve rather than pull them out. Pulling them can stretch the sleeve or the elastic inside the poles.
Taking good care of your tent will protect your investment and save you time and aggravation when you’re ready to head into the woods for your next campout.
Featured Image from Victor Larracuente/Unsplash
