How do you care for a canvas tent?


Canvas Tent Care Guide

Investing some time into maintaining your canvas tent is essential to ensure its longevity and performance. Canvas is highly regarded as the ultimate tent material for car camping, thanks to its durability and breathability. However, it does require extra care to keep it in the best condition. This guide will walk you through the key steps to maintain your canvas tent, ensuring it remains a reliable companion on your camping adventures.


Seasoning Your Tent

Why Season Your Tent?

Seasoning, or weathering, is crucial for making your canvas tent watertight and preparing it for a long life of camping. Canvas tents are made from cotton or a cotton-poly blend, cut into panels, and sewn together with thread. The thicker the canvas, the harder it is for the sewing machine needles to penetrate, especially at the seams where there is a double layer. This process leaves hundreds of tiny holes that are larger than the thread, causing initial leakage when exposed to water.

Don't worry, this is completely normal and will diminish with seasoning.

Cotton and thread expand and shrink when wet and dried, so seasoning speeds up this natural process. Follow these steps to season your tent:


Steps to Season Your Tent

  1. Set Up and Wet:
    • Pitch your tent and thoroughly wet it using a hose or sprinkler to emulate rainfall. Move the sprinkler around to ensure even saturation.

    • Pay particular attention to the seams using the hose.

      Dry and Repeat:

    • Allow the tent to dry completely.

    • Repeat the wetting and drying process at least two more times.

      Additional Steps for Certain Tents:

    • For tents like the Homecamp Bell Tent, unzip the floor, turn the tent inside out, and season it again.
    • If the tent is small enough, soak it in a bath for a few hours.

After completing these steps, your canvas tent will be seasoned, watertight, and ready for camping!


Warning: Ensure your tent is 100% dry inside and out before packing it away. If it's wet inside, turn the tent inside out to dry.


Final Notes: If you still experience leaky seams after proper seasoning, use a seam sealer. Outdoor stores offer a range of sealers, from wax sticks to modern seam sealants like Gear Aid or Stimex brands.


Preventing Mould and Mildew

Key Rule: Never put your tent away wet or damp, as this attracts mould and mildew, which are difficult to remove once set in.

  1. Drying:
    • Our canvas is quick-drying; even a little sun and breeze will dry the tent.
    • If it’s raining when you leave your campsite, loosely fold the tent for transport. Once in a dry space, unfold it and let it air out in sunlight or a dry, warm environment. There's no need to pitch the tent. Once thoroughly dry, pack it away in its storage bag.

Removing Mould and Mildew - see article here.


Removing Tree Sap from your Tent

  • Freezing method: Apply ice or a freezer pack to harden the sap, then carefully scrape off as much as possible with a plastic scraper or old credit card to avoid damaging the canvas.
  • Oil-based solutions: Work in a small amount of mineral oil (Turpentine) or even eucalyptus oil into the sap. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to help dissolve the sap, then gently blot (don't rub) with a clean cloth. Wash the area afterward with mild soap and water to remove any oil residue.
  • Alcohol solutions: Use rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer on a cloth and dab the affected area. This can help break down the sap without damaging the canvas. Again, clean with soap and water afterward.

If using oil. alcohol or other chemical based cleaning products on your tent then remember to reproof the canvas using a suitable reproofing agent such as Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof, 303® Fabric Guard or Bradmills.


Cleaning Your Tent

Before packing down your tent:

  1. Sweep and Clean:
    • Sweep out the inside of the tent.

    • Clean off any dirt or vegetation on the outside to discourage mould.

      Remove Dirt:

    • As you fold the tent into a roll for storage, clean off dirt and debris with a towel.

    • Use a soft brush to remove dry dirt or vegetation.

      Spot Clean:

    • If the tent is particularly dirty, hose it down and spot clean with a mild detergent like castile soap or a mix of water and vinegar (4 parts water, 1 part vinegar).
    • Invest in decent canvas cleaning products like IOSSO in case of mould.

Storing Your Tent

Storage Tips:

  1. Store your tent in a dry, non-humid environment, away from potential vermin.

    Humidity Control:

    • If you live in a humid climate, store the tent indoors or use a dehumidifier in the storage area.
    • Consider using anti-mould gel packs, like those from All State, in your tent bag to discourage mould.

By following these steps, you can keep your canvas tent in excellent condition for many years to come. Happy camping!

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