What kills mold on tents?
Spray the affected area with distilled white vinegar to kill the mold. Let it dry. Scrub the area lightly with a soft brush using a mixture of 1 cup of lemon juice and 1 cup of salt to a gallon of hot water. NOTE: Avoid using detergent soaps or bleach, which is harsh on canvas and challenging to rinse out.
Hydrogen peroxide kills mold spore on contact by breaking down proteins and DNA. It's normally used to clean mold on porous and non-porous surfaces. Ionized hydrogen peroxide can kill mold spores in the air, but it requires the use of a special fogging machine.
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.
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.
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.
Is Vinegar More Effective Than Bleach at Killing Mold? Vinegar truly is better than bleach at killing mold. The EPA does not recommend using bleach to kill or remove mold, except in special circumstances. In most cases, “a background level of mold spores will remain” after the application of bleach.
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.
Spray vinegar onto the moldy surface and leave it for an hour. Then wipe the area clean with water and allow the surface to dry. Any smell should clear within a few hours. While it's safe to use on most surfaces, vinegar is unlikely to be effective at cleaning mold off of soft surfaces.
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.
How do you dehumidify a tent?
Chemical Absorbent Dehumidifier (desiccant dehumidifiers): They usually contain a cartridge filled with a silica gel or other highly absorbent material. In most devices, an operating fan will suck in the moisture that's inside a tent, and “hold it” in that highly absorbent fabric.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chemical Disinfectant Product
In a tub, mix a solution of one cup of Lysol for every gallon of warm water (how much water you need depends on the size of your tent). Soak the tent in the Lysol solution for 30 minutes to an hour.
- 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.
- Dry-scrub the area with a soft bristle brush or sponge.
- Kill the mold with a mixture of 1-part white vinegar (distilled) 3-parts water. ...
- Use Iosso Mold and Mildew & Stain Remover. ...
- Let it dry in direct sunlight.
- Apply another treatment and let dry. ...
- Rinse and let dry.
- Remove excess dirt and debris.
- Kill the mould with distilled vinegar.
- Use hot water combined with your chosen cleaning solution and scrub with a soft brush.
- Rinse, dry and air before storing.
- Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and one-fourth cup mild soap per gallon of clean water.
- Apply to fabric and allow to soak for up to 15 minutes.
- Clean with a soft bristle brush.
- Rinse thoroughly with water until all soap residue is removed.
- Allow the awnings to air dry.
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.
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.
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.