UKC

I was talking to someone at work who suggested that I wash my tent in the washing machine. I thought this would be a bad idea. Anyone else tried it?

In reply to Kate: My tent is shockingly dirty so will be watching this thread with interest...

I wasnt sure how to wash it either :oS

In reply to marie: I am just waiting for a hot sunny day, and I'll take it to my sisters garden.

In reply to Kate: Don't! The detergent thats present in the machine will knack the flysheet.

Wash it in the bath with that nikwax soap stuff and then use the spray on proofer.

In reply to Kate:I don`t wash my tents nor have I ever done I let the rain do it maybe its a ladies thing but I like the smell of a musty sort of environment when I camp. It reminds me of the previous season and all the fun I had.
All the best
Rob

In reply to Lbos:
Clean out the draw of your washing machine and put it through a spin cycle to remove detergent, then chuck in tent with nikwax tech wash.
Hey Presto Shiny Tent (well it worked for mine anyway)

Dom

In reply to Kate:

If you've got one of those annoying machines that chews little holes in things then keep your tent well away from it!

Also I'm pretty sure washing detergent destroys the water resistance of the tent fabric, but you might be able to rescue it after with some nikwax or something.

The only cleaning my tent has ever seen is brushing loose mud & fluff out of the inside (plus a wipe with a damp cloth if it really needs it) and airing in the garden so it doesn't smell. Call me a big girl, but I'm not keen on the musty-been-in-the-cupboard-too-long odour Rob Platt is so fond of.

In reply to haze01:
Hmm, me too. I tend to get it back out of the bag (last weekend we resorted to folding it all up and putting the tent etc in bin bags!) then air it out on the washing line or indoors- I have a big kitchen fortunately.

The bottom of the tent was filthy, so i washed that roughtly with a car cleaning sponge and bucket of water, put it up on the line and hosed it off.

The liner is getting grubby (the dog walked over it just before it got erected and left a nice trail of muddy footprints over it) but there is little I can do about that. Handwash it, possibly, in the bath, leaving the base outside the bath? It isn't that bad at present, though. I've had my little old-fashioned ridge tent for 18 odd years now and it's ok- I have looked after it well each time. I think that's the key.

Sxx

In reply to Kate:

Don't wash your flysheet in a top-loading machine. During the spin cycle, the water pressure is likely to force the fabric through the door, leading to tearing.

I did this once many years ago, trying to do a simple rinse and spin.

Even with a front-loader, I'd recommend a short, slow spin.

Detergent won't damage the fabric, but it will reduce the effectiveness of any water repellent treatment, so should be avoided; use water only, or a soap-based cleaner.

In reply to Kate: I wash the inner with pure soap on a delicates cycle VERY occasionally. The outer gets washed when it rains.
matt

In reply to captain paranoia: As said further up, put the machine through a rinse cycle BEFORE you put the thing in, then add Tech Wash or whatever your manufacturer reccomends.
Then put it up in the garden to dry out, and proof any bits that look like they need it.
When dry, hose it.
Check for leaks.
Repeat as required...

In reply to O Mighty Tim: Terra Nova for one really don't reccomend this.

Washing machines wash clothes really well, but theres no way I'd stick a £400 tent in one.