Remedy for tent smell?

[Auntie Mame]

I have a lightly used one person tent that has a lingering odor that I don't like. It grew obvious once it was used, in that I didn't notice it the first time or two I set it up. I'm throwing this out there on the off chance someone has succeeded in modifying this kind of thing. Tents can't get washed, and I loathe the smell of dryer sheets. What else is there?

[johnny quest]

im dealing with a similar problem right now. my son used our biggest tent then put it away dirt. there is a must i cant get out. no mold or visible issue, just dusty dirt smell that cleaning and airing doesnt seem to resoove. maybe febreeze?

[Lone Wolf]

you can wash it by hand, let it dry and try Febreeze

[johnny quest]

well i just "showered" it by hand. i set it up on the driveway and took a hose to it it. its drying now. today i will frebreeze it and report back. got to hurry, rain coming, they say.

[galaleemc]

http://www.scoe10x.com/Scripts/default.asp

Worked on our worst hiker smells....make sure you test it.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Not sure if this will solve Auntie Mame's problem, but for those dealing with musty odor from tents put up damp - turn it inside out, hose it off and let dry completely on clothes line in the sun. Turn it right side out and do the same. This has eliminated the problem for me several times over the years.

Auntie Mame, what material is your tent made from - silnylon, coated nylon, something else?

[Auntie Mame]

Its coated nylon, one of the last REI Roadsters made. Bought new.
And thanks for the leads, folks, I'll try them all.

[mudhead]

I have used a 5-gal bucket and small amount of Dawn dish soap. Rinse well. (Another bucket.)

This works well on a sunny day, with a North wind. Just set it up, open it up. Remember to dry the bottom, elastic cording.

Febreeze is nasty. I would go to a dry cleaner and ask about an ozone machine before I would use that on gear.

[Toolshed]

(Note: I am referring to a lingering new tent type chemical odor, not lingering odors from something that happenend in or on the tent)
If you have an Attic or Dry Basement. Put some nails in the rafters or floor joists and set the tent up, upsde down, do the same with the fly. Let them stay like that for a week or two and the smell will eventually fade away.

[Jack Tarlin]

Lone Wolf had it about right.

Fill your tub with warm water and a little gentle soap, like Ivory Snow flakes.

Add some Febreeze.

Let it soak for awhile.

Drain the tub. Repeat the process with fresh water. Maybe even repeat it twice.

Rinse the tent thoroughly in fresh water, hang it out to dry for a day or two.

You'll be good as new.

[mudhead]

I would be scared of Febreeze. I will defer to collective wisdom.

Be sure to wash the bags as well.

Hope you have better weather today than I, ain't nuthin' drying today.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Its coated nylon, one of the last REI Roadsters made. Bought new.

I've washed coated tents in Ivory (the stuff that used to be used for diapers) in the tub like LoneWolf And Jack suggested. It never hurt the tent.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Fellows, I moved your discussion of how to stink up a tent to the hiking humor forum since this is about how to clean up a tent.

[Auntie Mame]

Its damp and threatening rain here today, so my tent restoration project will have to wait til tomorrow. I'll report back about the results. The odor is faintly sulfer-y, not organic as in spilled drinks or food, and not really chemical. I didn't think to wash out the stuff sacks, too, but that may well be critical to SUCCESS!

[TDale]

1 cup of baking soda in 1 gallon of water. Wipe the tent down inside and out with this. Set up somewhere to air dry.

[V8]

And then store tents on hangers, loosely folded, in some dry closet. Like a sleeping bag. Takes up space but it's part of the hobby....

[Auntie Mame]

OK, people, I just washed the tent and fly and stuff sack, inside out, and have them flapping on the clothesline now. I will religiously air and store this puppy and see on an upcoming trip just how it turned out. I read all the accompanying lit, and they went on about flame retardant, and I wonder about that being the source of the odor.
Thanks for the help and have a great time at ALDHA. I can't go this year, but wish I could. Have a blast!

[Tennessee Viking]

What kind of smell is it?

There are a few things to try use a baking soda/water mixture (if it had some mold/mildew on it, or a vinegar/water mixture (if it is a musty, been stored too long smell).

Also try a low scented liquid fabric softener/water solution, or rub it down with fabric softener sheets.

[Pringles]

People have recommended Febreeze for removing, or hiding, smells from tents and sleeping bags. I live in bear country. If I use Febreeze, will I just be spraying my stuff with a pleasant smelling bear attractant? Thanks.

Beth

[Fiddleback]

Who knows what bears like? I'm not in the mood to find out so I'd avoid things that would exchange one smell for another. Whatever is used to get rid of the tent's funk, leave the tent exposed to strong sunlight for a good long time...a couple days, perhaps. The sunlight (and fresh air) will help kill the lingering aroma...it might even cure the original odor problem...

FB