cleaning a bell tent----how to ???

lentenrose

Ultralighter
on my daughters glampsite we have had a bell tent up for 6 weeks -----coming down soon and i need to clean it first----any ideas----thanks----ps its pitched in woodland so might have some pine tree detrius
 

lentenrose

Ultralighter
hi cathy------its polycotton canvas made by blacks of greenock-----i phoned them up today and got the difinitive answer-----sort of------wash with warm mild soapy water then reproof ----or wash with plain water then reproof----i went to look at in the heavy rain we have had all day-----dry as a bone-----i could rub my hand on the inside ----absolutely dry-----i settled down to let a very hard band of rain pass-----i find the sound of rain on a tent soporific-----woke up an hour later----i will wash the tent still erected with a soft clean broom and plenty of water-----the advice for reproofing is a giving it a liberal spray -----how many cans would that take on a 4 metre bell tent??------a job next year----maybe---------thanks for your interest cathy
 

SafetyThird

Section Hiker
We get our yurts and lotus belles professionally washed proofed and dried each year. Costs us about £1000 for all 4 of them but extends the life by many seasons. The biggest issue we have is with drying everything in October. The lotus belle can put up in the barn if I take everything out but the yurt is too big. Last year, we had to wait three weeks for enough dry weather just to take everything out and take them down and they ended up with mildew and moss growing on them.
 

lentenrose

Ultralighter
i know what you mean about drying----the bell tent is now in the house -----awaiting final drying before being packed away
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
IMO @SafetyThird 's answer is best. We have horse rugs and rain sheets washed repaired and reproofed by a firm that collects and returns them. They cost about £10 to £20 depending on how much repairs need doing.

When I was a kid my parents bought a second hand frame tent and washed and then reproofed it with Fabsil. There are videos on Youtube about how to do it if you want to have a go yourself.
 
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