Keeping your tent in good condition when you aren't using it

Posted by Lesley Sampson
2
Jun 10, 2013
940 Views

As any dedicated camper will know, a decent tent can be very useful indeed. Provided it's properly looked after, a tent could potentially provide years of protection from the elements when you're staying outdoors. Nevertheless, when you buy tents at GOoutdoors.co.uk, you will need to ensure that you maintain them properly. It's worth remembering that as tents are likely to be frequently subjected to inclement weather conditions, they will need regular maintenance. Wet, windy, snowy and muddy conditions can really start to take their toll on a tent after a while, so it's up to you to ensure that you mitigate this impact by giving your tent a bit of tender loving care.

 

According to Lovetheoutdoors.com, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure that your tent is well looked after. In particular, it's important to act quickly where you see stains and tears start to appear on the fabric. It should go without saying that if fabric tears are left unattended, they're only likely to get worse through repeated exposure to the elements - so if you see a tear, make sure you sew it up as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the worse it's likely to get. The same goes for stains, which can render the fabric of your tent really rather unsightly if left untreated for extended periods.

 

You should find that most tents are already waterproofed when you buy them, but this protection is likely to wear away somewhat over time. This is why you need to waterproof repeatedly after you buy Hi Gear tents at GO Outdoors. You should find that outdoors equipment stores sell all-purpose waterproofing sprays, which you can then apply to your tent at home. You don't need to do this too often - it depends on how frequently you use your tent to camp outdoors - but it is worth doing every now and again to provide the fabric of your tent with useful extra protection.

 

As an article from hiking-gear-and-equipment-used-for-camping.com points out, you should always make sure that you air dry your tent thoroughly after you've used it. Mould and mildew can really start to take their toll on tents over time, so this is something you need to be well aware of. Leave your tent to dry thoroughly and make sure you check it over properly to ensure that it has fully dried. Pay particularly close attention to areas such as seams, which take longer to dry out because the fabric is that bit thicker.

 

You should also pay close attention to your tent's zippers, because these have a tendency to wear down over time. Grit and dirt can accumulate in your zipper, making it harder for you to zip up your tent properly - which can leave it rather draughty. If you notice that your zipper is starting to stick more than it should, take a look closely to ensure that it hasn't got caught up with any material. If you don't see anything caught in the zipper, then apply a small amount of candle wax or soap and that should help to move things along a bit. 

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