How do I keep my tent from getting moldy?
To avoid mould and mildew, wipe down the interior and exterior of the tent with clean water before you leave it to dry and store it in a dry, well-ventilated area. Also, reproof the tent in time to ensure it stays mould resistant and waterproof.
CLEAN. Depending on how much the mold is ingrained into the nylon or canvas tent fabric, you may be able to remove mold with just hot and soapy water. Our recommendation is to start by washing it with water and a specialized cleaner, which will not impact the performance or water repellency of your tent.
It only takes 24 – 48 hours before mold starts to noticeably grow on the fabric of your tent. In fact, growth actually begins immediately in the correct conditions. This is because mold spores are everywhere, virtually unavoidable.
Check that your canvas tent dries completely every day. A fan can be helpful for this. During wet periods of weather, even if it's not cold, consider heating the inside of the tent to help the canvas dry. Place the tent in the sun where it is more likely to stay dry – or to dry quickly in the event of rain.
Mold needs water to grow, therefore standing water or high humidity levels gives mold the sustenance to sporulate. Pests also proliferate with water. Remove standing water and keep the humidity level as low as possible without detriment to your plants. Require coveralls for all employees.
BUT… it will damage and weaken your canvas, and your bug netting! Vinegar is caustic, which by definition means able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action! (Read all about how you SHOULD clean your tent here!)
The best way to get a musty smell out of a canvas tent is to use white vinegar. First, pitch your canvas tent. Next, add vinegar to a spray bottle and spray the entire tent. Let it sit for a few minutes.
Use a Dehumidifier
There are two types of dehumidifiers to use inside a tent, chemical and rechargeable. The chemical type is a product like DampRid Moisture Absorber Tub that uses non-toxic calcium chloride salts to draw the water from the air.
A bleach solution also works to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water, apply to the surface and don't rinse. Mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water. Spray on the surface, wait two to three hours, then rinse.
More worryingly, there are some people who have an allergy to mould and this will result in much more severe symptoms, that could include difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and severe coughing.
At what temperature does mold not grow?
In general, mold spores require 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 16 Celsius) for survival; however, the average low temperature in most homes is between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 13 C). As long as you don't let the indoor temperature reach freezing, it's unlikely that any mold will grow.
As with anything packed away wet, over time, mould and mildew will built up throughout the tent, this affects the tent in many ways, as it will degrade the fabric, and the tent will start to smell.
Cleaning mould off canvas with vinegar is a great way of doing this – spray the vinegar and scrub at the marks with a soft brush, using hot water to work away at the mould. Repeat until you're happy the mould has gone – sometimes it takes more than one or two attempts, so be patient!
Sleeping in a mildly moldy tent is not dangerous unless you have sensitivities to mold, are immunocompromised, or have respiratory issues such as Asthma. Otherwise, if the odor is not powerful sleeping in a moldy tent for a night isn't likely to cause harm. In this article, I'll explore this topic in detail.
We recommend a mild soap (as not to effect the treatment) like a dawn dish washing detergent or Woolite (a soft soap). To clean, set the tent up and use a soft bristle brush lightly brush the effected area and rinse well.
To avoid damaging the fabrics and other materials in your tent while cleaning, you shouldn't use bleach or other harsh chemicals. It's not a good idea to use a pressure washer either, as there's a good chance you'll damage the seams.
Cold to lukewarm water. Mild fragrance-free dish soap. Cleaner designed specifically for outdoor gear and clothing, such as Nikwax Tech Wash® Nonabrasive sponge or cloth.
- Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent.
- Nikwax Tent and Gear Solarproof Waterproofing Spray.
- Atsko Silicone Water Guard.
- Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Shield.
- Gear Aid Seam Grip TF Tent Fabric Sealer.
- Star Brite Waterproofing Spray.
Tip # 9 – Use a Tent Air-Freshener
Using an air freshener that is scented could attract unwanted visitors. My advice is to stay away from the Lysol or Febreeze. It is best to use an odor eliminator designed for camping tents. These products have enzymes that are activated when mixed with water.
DampRid Fragrance Free Hanging Moisture Absorber attracts and traps excess moisture from the air, eliminating musty odors and inhibiting mold and mildew. DampRid's crystals absorb excess moisture out of the air to create optimal humidity.
How do I keep my tent dry inside?
- Hold Your Breath, This May Come As A Shock. ...
- Ventilation is The Key to Reducing Condensation. ...
- Stake The Tent Out Fully, Taut. ...
- Don't Cook Inside - Boiling Water Creates Large Vapor Volumes. ...
- Wet Clothes and Gear Bring Added Moisture Into the Tent.
Place DampRid in all bathrooms, basements, closets and laundry rooms to prevent excess moisture and moisture damage. If you have outside irrigation turn off the supply and flush out the water. Unplug all appliances and phones. Thoroughly clean the home and remove all food to discourage pests.
Ward off mold with tea tree oil, cinnamon, clove oil, or thyme oil. Each option will kill mold and prevent spores from coming back. Combine a teaspoon of the oil of your preference with a cup of water in a spray bottle. After spraying, allow one hour for the solution to dry, then wipe away with a clean towel.
Learn why white vinegar removes mold better than bleach.
Vinegar is a bold mold killer. According to ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning, the mild acid in vinegar kills about 82% of known molds and can help prevent future outbreaks.
Baking soda mixed in water will remove mold.
Baking soda is commonly used alongside vinegar to clean up mold as they both can kill different types of mold. To kill mold using baking soda, place 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 cups water in a spray bottle and shake well to incorporate.
There is no general guideline for how much mold exposure is harmful. The effects of mold exposure manifest differently in each person. For people who have asthma, are allergic to mold, or have weakened immune systems, just a small amount of exposure can be harmful.
These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss.
Mold inside your house can make you certainly sick, breathing in mold fragments or spores can inflame the air passages, creating a nasal blockage, wheezing, breast tightness, coughing, and throat inflammation.
The risk of mold growth in your home increases in summer months due to several factors like warmer temperatures and summer rains.
Mold is unable to digest inorganic materials (such as concrete, glass, and metal), but it can digest and grow on the dirt, dust, and organic residue that accumulates on them.
What season does mold grow in most?
Spring and Fall are commonly known as the worst seasons for mold growth. Especially in regions with heavy rain and high water levels, the moisture can cause expedited growth. Heavy rain showers can bring the best environment for mold.
Air it out: before taking your tent down, open it up and air it out for a couple of hours. Sweep and clean: you'll need to clean any debris, dust and dirt out from inside your tent.
Putting it away wet is a no go, it will get mould or mildew, the material can rot, and at the very least it will make your tent smell bad. Some of the modern tents these days are enormous too, so drying them out is no mean feat.
Set up the tent and spray down the rainfly with clean water (if you just washed your tent, you don't have to wait for it to dry before applying a new DWR coating.) Apply the waterproof spray evenly over the exterior of the rainfly. After a couple minutes, take your damp cloth and wipe off any excess coating.
Research has found that vinegar is effective at preventing mold growth on fruit and at removing some common household molds , but it isn't effective at killing every type of mold.
Enhance and protect moisture-prone areas on your home or business with Rust-Oleum® Zinsser® PERMA-WHITE® Mold & Mildew-Proof™* Exterior Paint. This high-performance, self-priming coating is tintable to popular mid/light tones.
Pour enough undiluted white vinegar into the empty spray bottle to cover the area of mold growth. Spray the mold directly, fully saturating it with the vinegar, and allow the vinegar to sit for at least an hour. Don't be tempted to scrub or rinse; the mold needs time to completely absorb the vinegar.
Use a Dehumidifier
You can use the disposable hanging moisture removers and hang them out of the way on the inside tent supports. A more effective way to prevent condensation inside the tent is to use a rechargeable dehumidifier like the WOHOME portable dehumidifier.
- Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent.
- Nikwax Tent and Gear Solarproof Waterproofing Spray.
- Atsko Silicone Water Guard.
- Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Shield.
- Gear Aid Seam Grip TF Tent Fabric Sealer.
- Star Brite Waterproofing Spray.
If your humidity levels are too high even when your lights are off, using a dehumidifier, watering less, keeping the number of plants down, and promoting good air circulation throughout the tent will all contribute to maintaining lower humidity levels.
Can I sleep in a tent with mold?
If you only spend a couple of nights camping in a mouldy tent then the health effects likely won't be anything too serious but that doesn't mean you should risk it. You certainly should not make a habit of sleeping in a mouldy tent as this will put you at higher risk of health issues and exacerbate any existing ones.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss.
Whatever option you choose, always use a ground cover under your tent. This will help keep moisture from seeping through your tent, getting your gear wet, and will protect the life of your tent. Abrasive ground will wear out the floor of any tent no matter how durable it is, so ground cover or tarp protects the tent.
Our next natural dehumidifier DIY-hack is to use baking soda. Remove dampness by filling a small bowl with baking soda and placing it in the room you'd like to dehumidify. Although it's not as effective as rock salt in combating humidity, it's good for enclosed spaces where moisture is an issue.
Most bear experts recommend keeping a canister of bear spray in your tent. Properly used, bear spray has been proven to be more reliable and effective than a firearm for deterring bears. Many bear experts recommend sleeping away from your tent wall.
We recommend a mild soap (as not to effect the treatment) like a dawn dish washing detergent or Woolite (a soft soap). To clean, set the tent up and use a soft bristle brush lightly brush the effected area and rinse well. Be sure the tent is dry before storing.