Tent Aftercare – Camping & Caravan Direct

Looking after a tent properly is the difference between a shelter that lasts for years and one that starts letting you down after a couple of seasons. Most of the problems campers blame on faulty equipment turn out to be straightforward maintenance issues, and they are usually easy to put right.

Is it leaking, or is it condensation?

This is one of the most common questions among campers, and in the overwhelming majority of cases the answer is condensation rather than a leak.

Condensation forms overnight. The warm air you breathe out meets the colder air inside the tent and turns into water. That moisture settles on the flysheet and on air poles, then runs downwards, sometimes pooling at the base of the poles. It can look convincingly like a leak.

Airflow is the answer. Open every high and low level vent so air can move through the tent and carry the warm, moisture-laden air back outside. Good ventilation is the single most effective way to keep condensation under control.

Why a flysheet starts letting water through

Waterproof coatings deteriorate with heavy use and prolonged exposure to sunlight. Once that coating has worn, the fabric begins to absorb water rather than repelling it, and eventually moisture finds its way inside.

Dirt causes similar problems. It attracts water and reduces breathability, so a grimy tent no longer sheds rain the way it did when it was new. Water stops beading and running off.

Cleaning the tent and reapplying a waterproofing treatment will extend the life of the existing coatings. Specialist tent cleaners and sealants are widely available for this job, and they are far cheaper than replacing a tent.

Keeping mould and smells at bay

Mould inside a tent or sleeping compartment is almost always the result of packing away damp. Keep the tent as dry as you can, particularly before it goes back in its bag.

After every trip, dry the tent thoroughly before storing it. If your final day was a washout, this may mean pitching it again at home to let it dry properly. Storing a tent wet is the fastest route to a musty smell and permanent mildew damage.

Good habits for a long-lasting tent

A few simple practices will keep a tent in usable condition for far longer:

• Use a footprint or groundsheet protector. It keeps the groundsheet clean and stops dirt transferring to the main structure when you pack up.
• Dry the tent completely and brush off any dirt before storing it.
• Clean and reproof the fabric periodically, and apply UV protection where the product allows. This prolongs the life of the tent considerably.
• Never put a tent in a washing machine. It risks damaging both the machine and the tent.

Treat a tent well and it will reward you with many more seasons of reliable shelter.