Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Cleaning a canvas wall tent?

I just purchased a used 14'x16' wall tent from an exploring company. The tent is only 2 years old and the canvas is in great condition but it is dirty. The back wall is dirty from the diesel stove (soot and a few splash of diesel) and the front door is dirty from what I assume is people brushing against is with muddy jackets as they were coming in. What is the best way to clean it without removing the mildew/waterproof/fireproof coating?

I'd use a pressure washer and mild detergent but I could be wrong on that too.

that would work but Dont use an agressive tip on the pressure washer and stay a lil ways back when spraying it.

Might try a lil water with the detergent but use a scrub brush before the pressure washer .

Set it up...and stretch it out to clean it one side/panel at a time.
Pressure washers work good IF you have the right touch and nozzle and pressures..
You can't hurt cement driveways..much..:) but other items require some experience, the right nozzle & pressures and attention.

Get a BIG bucket of Dawn or other oil-grease cutting houshold sink liquid detergent and make up the bucket with hot water and soap mix.

Get out the scrub brush..Common wood one with bristles & a handle works fine.

Start at the top areas and work down.
Have the hose at hand to rinse as you clean.

Ain't fast..but it works and is safe for the canvas.

When done, let dry well and re wax or treat with a good canvas surface treatment.

Ain't nuthin' simple or easy..but anything can be done well..if one takes the time to do it..

IF it's a good tent, take the time..
Remember to dry and air well before folding-storing.Jim

Mr. BC Steve:
We�ve had great luck cleaning everything from horse blankets to washing motors with a product called Simple Green. I got it last time at Rona.

I don�t know what it might do to the anti mildew coating though. You might give the boys that make wall tents on the Island a shout?

Regards
Dwayne

Thanks Dwayne,

I've sent them an email (even though my tent wasn't made by them), we'll see what they say.

Lots a FABREEZE!

lol

justkidding, I have no idea...

My experience is that they are nigh on impossible to clean! I have tried detergent, simple green, plain soap and murphys on mine- didn't have ANY effect at all getting the mud stains off it. Might lessen the diesel stains, but not likely that it will ever get clean. I would be real careful with a pressure washer- especially on the roof as it might not be waterproof afterwards; canvas relies on the swelling of the fibers to make the truly waterproof. Mine is over 10 years old now and has never leaked a drop EXCEPT where there is a hole or if I touched a spot and induced leakage.

Good luck!

I've never personally cleaned one, but this summer a friend of mine who owns a saddle shop in Idaho said he uses a self serve carwash to clean canvas tents, panniers, saddle blankete, etc. He says it works real good.

BC30cal,

Simple green is PEOPLE!

I think you're thinking of Soylent Green...the movie...?

I got an answer from Deluxe Wall Tents here in BC and this was their answer:

"The safest way to clean a wall tent is to use a mild detergent like Ivory dish soap in warm water and a scrub brush. This will remove most stains and shouldn't affect your treatments."

I'll give it a try next Spring when I can get a few warm and dry days.

Wash My tent ???? Why would I do That ???

LOL

I just rinse mine and treat with thompson water treatment every few years.

"God made the dirt and the dirt dont hurt"

A clean tent is the sign of a rookie. A dirty tent is the sign of an experienced hunter...or a slob.

Dick

I think you are wrong on that. I had to buy a tent this year to replace the one my buddy had pressure-washed... when I mentioned pressure washing to two different tent makers they both shuddered!

Here's a couple phone numbers of tent makers. I'd call them and ask.

Salem Tent and Awning (503) 363-4788

Reliable Tent and Tipi (406) 252-4689

I've done business with both and both are good folks. They will know the answer to your question.

-jeff

I just got an email from a second canvas tent maker in BC and said the same thing. Mild detergent and a soft bristle brush.

_______________________________________________________________
...:)

I have and still use a White Stag canvas exterior froame 10x10' cabin tent I bought new in 1975-6..:)
Never used a stove in it tho..

It's been camping alot over the years in some bad rainy muddy weather..:) often with the woodsmoke not far from the front flab-wall.
I've only washed it with dish soap & water & brush twice, usually the sides down closer to the ground that get rain-mud splashed..
Always sweep-wipe it down after it dries and let it air out in the breeze-sunlight before I pack it up..
air & sunlight are pretty effective deodorizers..

Never added any new waterproofing to it and it still doesn't leak..:)
One of the hallmarks of a man is no matter what he has or how expensive-inexpensive it is, he does his best to take care of it..and it'll serve him well and be ready for the next go-round..:) Jim