How to Clean a Tent after Camping All Summer

You’ve camped all summer at lakes, on the beach, in the mountains, and everywhere you wanted.  Before you put it away for the season, you’ll want to clean your stinky tent!  Here’s everything you need to know about how to clean a tent!

After a full summer of adventure, tents can develop a musty smell or even mold.  If you store a stinky tent, it will only get worse with time.

My partner Karma and I spend months out of our year thru-hiking and sleeping in a tent.  We’ve learned the hard way that you need to clean your tent after a thru-hike.

This is our whole process, from washing a tent to the specific tent cleaning products we use. After cleaning, it’s important to re-waterproof your tent to be ready for the next trip, so we’ll also include the best tent waterproofing methods!

This post contains affiliate links.  I have used every product mentioned, and if you purchase one of these products, I can make a small commission at no cost to you. I am also a Six Moon Designs Ambassador.

How to Clean a Tent After Backpacking

Your tent goes through a lot.  It gets set up on the ground, it gets rained on, and it gets packed up wet. 

Hopefully, you took the time to air dry your tent out after each trip or in each town on a thru-hike.  That’s the basic tent maintenance. 

If not, that’s ok, too.  Let’s dive into the process.

Can You Wash a Tent?

The first question you might be thinking is, “Can you wash a tent?”

The answer is: YES, you can wash a tent.  And, yes you should clean a tent.

HOWEVER, you need to hand wash your tent and use proper tent cleaning products.

Do NOT put your tent in a washing machine, and do not use clothing detergent!!!

When Do You Need to Wash Your Tent?

Washing your tent at least once per season before storing it will increase the tent’s lifespan significantly!

There are three main times when you should clean a tent.

1. After a thru-hike.
2. Before storing your tent for the season.
3. If you notice a strong musky smell or mold.

If you wash your tent after numbers 1 & 2, you likely won’t develop a musky tent smell or mold, but it can happen.

After 16 years of thru-hiking, I aim to clean my tent after camping one or two times per year. 

Best Tent Cleaning Products

You’ll want a few specific products you can find at REI or your local gear stores.

I like to use the Nikwax Tech Wash for cleaning and Nikwax TX Direct for re-waterproofing after cleaning.  You can usually find these two products in a two-pack!

In my 16 years of tent cleaning experience, this combo works the best for most tents.

Don’t forget some basic plastic gloves because it’s best not to get these products on your hands.

However, if you’ve neglected your tent or camped perpetually in a very wet environment (the Appalachian Trail, the Scottish National Trail, etc.), you might need something extra. 

For sap spots, wiping gently with hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes will usually work before you begin hand washing your tent.

To clean off mold or mildew, you will likely need ReviveX Odor Eliminator.  I have not personally used this, but friends have said it works. Those friends recommended that if you use it, read the directions carefully. I believe the key difference in using this product is “DO NOT RINSE” after application.

3 Pro Tips for Washing Your Tent

After washing my tent in all kinds of places and scenarios, here are three tips to make your tent cleaning mission more successful.

1. Before you clean a tent, get all the correct tent cleaning products based on its state (regular dirty vs mold dirty). 
2. If you’re using a tub (the best option besides a utility sink), make sure to lay out an extra towel folded several times.  This will save your knees as you lean over the tub to clean a tent.
3. Have a space ready to hang dry your tent, preferably outside in the sun.  If you don’t have this space, use your bathroom shower rod.

How to Clean a Tent: Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to clean a tent with step-by-step instructions.

1. Start with a large washing area like a tub or a utility sink and gather your supplies (Nikwax Tech Wash, Nikwax TX Direct)
2. Fill the bottom of the tub with a few inches of water and add in Nikwax Tech Wash per the instructions on the bottle.
3. Add your bug net (zippers open) and your rain fly to the Tech Wash-infused water.
4. Use gloves to agitate the tent in the cleaning solution.  You’ll want to really get in there and move the fabric around.
5. Drain the tub and thoroughly rinse the whole tent with fresh water.
6. If the water is still totally brown, repeat step 4.  If your tent water runs clear, skip to step 7.
7. Refill the tub with a few inches of water and add Nikwax TX Direct to the water.  Follow the portions in the instructions on the bottle.
8. Add your wet tent to the Nikwax TX Direct water, agitate, and then let it sit for 5-10 minutes.  The water should be a watered-down milk color.
9. Drain the tub again and thoroughly rinse the whole tent with fresh water.
10. Hang the tent to dry, preferably outside in the sun.  DO NOT put it in a dryer.

If you’d like a visual, here is an Instagram reel I made about the last time we washed our tent after the Continental Divide Trail.  This shows 2800 miles of use on the SMD Haven Tent.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mandy “Veggie” Redpath | Thru-Hiking Nomad (@travelingnaturejournal)

Best Tent Waterproofing Methods (After Buying AND After Washing)

After you clean a tent, you’ll want to ensure it’s still waterproof.

There are two main things you need to do to re-waterproof your tent. 

First, steps 7-9 re-waterproof the material of your tent. This is key to helping the rain to bead on the material and roll off for longer.

Second, you can re-seam seal your tent.  This process is a bit more tedious, but the seams are the most likely spot for a leak. 

I use this seam sealer on my sil-nylon tent, which works great.  You want to seal in the “butt” of the seam, not on the threads themselves. 

If I’m re-waterproofing, I examine the cleaned and dry seams of the tent and look to touch up where it might have peeled back.  Use your best judgment when peeling the old back vs. adding more.  You’ll find that you might have to do a little of both.

Final Thoughts

You want to clean a tent just like you want to change the oil in a car.  Washing a tent at least once per season or after a thru-hike is your regular tent maintenance. 

If you’re going backpacking or camping once a month in the summer, just make sure to clean the tent at the end of the season before storage. 

Cleaning a tent after camping is really only necessary at the end of the camping season (unless something crazy spills in it).

Get out there and get cleaning! Drop any questions in the comments!