Let’s get into the ultimate guide on revitalizing your commercial tent to be good as new. Whether it’s for dazzling events, vibrant markets, or cozy gatherings, keeping your tent in tip-top shape is crucial to ensuring longevity in quality (aaaand people will be VERY impressed and jealous).
There’s several ways you can clean a tent.
Method #1 A.K.A. the most common method:
Using a mop, brush, soft buffer, and/or pressure washer to get a full clean, you can simply lay out the tent on the ground and get to work.
Issues with this practice: be mindful that most tent fabrics are made from vinyl materials. It’s a plastic-y surface that is susceptible to being scraped off by rough surfaces (i.e., the slab of street asphalt you threw it on, straight up concrete, or pointy rocks from… well, everywhere).
To avoid scratching (or worse, tearing) the tent fabric, make sure to place it on any soft materials you can get your hands on (i.e., drop cloths from Lowe’s or a nice tarp from Amazon).
PROTECT THE VINYL.
Those will be the words you need to whisper to yourself as you embark on this journey.
Worse comes to worse, you can always try to repair it, but c’mon, who has time/money for that?
Method #2 A.K.A. we feel a little lazy and we have the resources to be lazy:
Using a large commercial washing machine [designed specifically for tents]. If you purchase a high-end, quality tent, they’re usually fully compatible with these commercial washing machines. Definitely ask your sales rep if their tents are compatible before purchasing in case you’re interested in this method.
If this is your tried n’ true, follow the washer manufacturer’s guidelines for any specific washing solutions that may need to be used when cleaning the tents.
Kay. You have ways to clean it. Now… with what?
You can buy commercial tent cleaner solutions (yes, they exist) that will do just the trick, OR you can also opt for simple soap and water as well. If you’re in a pinch, just plain water and enthusiasm will be enough. A mild vinyl cleaner can also be used.
DO NOT use acid-based cleaners such as household bleach or harsh types of cleaners—they WILL hurt vinyl materials and damage your tent.
Don’t forget to double check all areas for moisture before storing.
When tent are being fabricated, manufacturers apply a lacquer coating to the outside surface to protect the tent from direct sunlight exposure. The inside of the tent, however, usually does not have this coating and needs to be handled properly, so make sure to inspect the entire tent to ensure it is completely dry before storing. Double check these areas especially: the webbing, buckles, and grommets, before folding and storing. Also check the storage bag itself for any moisture or chance of water vapor present inside. This process seems tedious, but it is integral to keeping the quality of the tent in the best shape it can be.
All clean and dry? Let’s pack it up!
When your tents is completely dry, *carefully* roll up all the tent fabrics and keep it in a dry place. Make sure that the storage area is free from any water or potential moisture buildup; if water/moisture collects on or inside the tent during storage, it can cause mildew and stains, which means you’ve cleaned it for nothing (no one wants that).
When folding into a storage bag, avoid pinching and dragging the tent top, as this can tear pin holes in the fabric. Do not use sharp tools when opening the bags or packing materials—use tools at your own risk.
For tips on storing each part of your commercial tent, check out my how-to guide on tent storage here.
As always, hope this helps. Leave a comment if you have any questions or have any other methods to clean tents that we can talk about in the discussion below!
Leave a Reply