What should I do if there is mould on my tent?

What is mould?

Mould is simply a type of naturally occurring fungi, spread by airborne spores which grow in damp, humid conditions on almost any organic material, such as food, furniture, textiles, clothing, walls, ceilings etc. 

What about mould on tents?

Although our canvas tents have an anti-mould treatment if they are packed away wet or damp they can attract mould. Tents pitched in continuous downpours or humid conditions can also attract mould and unfortunately, some locations are more prone to mould than others which makes it difficult to guess where and when mould might strike. The important thing to realise is that mould is a fact of life and probably the most significant drawback of owning a canvas tent - a trade-off between the many positives of canvas vs plastic tents. 

In the right conditions, mould can appear very quickly and spread fast. Mould is unsightly and if left, can cause real damage to your tent.  

However, the good news is that with a little vigilance, preventing and defeating mould is easily achieved.

What's the best way to prevent mould?

The number one way to prevent mould is to ensure your tent is put away clean and dry. This means completely drying your tent in the sun and ensuring all parts (guy ropes, pegs, poles etc.) are dry, removing all dirt and debris before packing away. Fortunately, Homecamp tents are fast drying (compared to most other bell tents on the market) so some breeze and sunlight should quickly dry the tent ready for packing down. If you can't dry your tent before leaving camp then do not roll it up and pack it away, instead, we recommend loosely folding it for the trip home, then drying it out as soon as you arrive at the next suitable stop.

If you are pitching your tent for semi-permanent use, then we recommend a regular maintenance check, inspecting the tent for signs of mould and ensuring you remove all debris such as bird droppings, tree sap, dust and dirt. Make sure plants, tree branches and tall grass are cut back and not touching the canvas. We recommend pitching your tent so that it receives at least some direct sunlight throughout the day. Keep the tent well ventilated with open windows or doors where possible, particularly in wet, humid conditions. Regularly spot clean your tent with a reputable canvas cleaner such as Iosso Tent & Canvas Cleaner

If you regularly camp in high humidity or wet environments then we advise investing in a reputable canvas cleaner such as  Stimex Tent Cleaner, Iosso Tent & Canvas Cleaner and potential applying a high-quality Australian-made waterproofing agent such as Dynaproof or Bradproof as early as your first set-up, The reason for this is that the waterproofing used at the factory is universal (i.e. made for all types of environments) and may not be adequate for extremely high humidity conditions. The trade-off for adding another waterproofing layer is added weight and a slight reduction in breathability, however, this extra protection will give you peace of mind. If in doubt, please ask us for advice at [email protected] 

What if I find mould on my tent?
Mould appears as tiny black or dark blue/green spots on your canvas, generally in one area but it can quickly spread. Do not ignore it. The first thing is that you should act as soon as possible and if you don't have any mould cleaning solution on hand then use a mixture of one part white vinegar to four parts water (or even better add some baking soda!). Either spray this on the affected area or make a paste, then leave for 20 minutes then wash off gently scrubbing the area with a soft brush. Make sure the tent is left to dry in the sun and is 100% dry before being put away. 
If you have a canvas treatment such as Canvas Magic then follow the same instructions spraying the infected areas and gently scrubbing with a soft brush. 

If your whole tent is dirty and/or mouldy then we recommend unzipping the floor and using a large bath, or another suitable large container (such as a drum) and soaking your canvas in a solution of water and mould treatment. Leave to soak overnight and thoroughly dry the next day. 

When should I reproof my tent?

If you have cleaned your tent to remove mould then we recommend reproofing immediately using a waterproofing treatment such as Dynaproof, Bradproof or Nikwax. This will ensure your tent retains its water resistance and helps prevent further outbreaks of mildew. 
Even if your tent has not had any mould we recommend reproofing it regularly. How often? it really depends on how much your tent is in use but a good rule of thumb is any time you see mould appearing or on an annual basis before putting the tent away at the end of the season. 
Is it worth the hassle?
Good question and we think yes. Like almost anything, there are trade-offs in material performance with Canvas vs Plastic, and in our opinion, these simple maintenance jobs really shouldn't be a major hassle to undertake and they can keep you focused on preserving your tent for many, many years to come just like looking after an expensive item of clothing or your vehicle or house - knowing the risks and taking responsibility is key.

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