How to Store a Tent Properly with 6 Tips

Tents play an indispensable role in outdoor activities. However, many people often neglect to store their tents after enjoying the fun of camping, resulting in the early  "retirement" of valuable camping equipment.

Proper storage will not only extend the life of your tent but will also ensure that it still has excellent performance in the next camp. This article will introduce some tips on how to store a tent and help you maintain it properly.

6 Pro Tips to Store a Tent

Simple routine maintenance can effectively extend the tent's life and reuse it many times. So you don't have to struggle to choose a new tent even when your camping plans are coming.

But, how exactly do you achieve it? Read on to find out.

Checking for Wear and Tear

Regular inspections for damage and tears are the first step in how to store a tent. If there is a minor problem, such as a small hole or a tear in the seams, you can sew and fix it yourself. However, if the tent's support rod is bent or the ground nail is lost, you should contact the merchant as soon as possible to repair it.

Generally, the merchant provides warranty service during the warranty period of the tent. If you buy a tent at Sheltent, we can offer a 5-year warranty on the tent poles and a 1-year warranty on the PVC covers.

Keep the Tent Clean

Used outdoor camping tents often carry a lot of sand and dust. Cleaning can remove stains and odors, making your tent look new. This is an important prework in how to store a tent.

Here's the guide for cleaning your tent:

• Prepare Cleaning Tools: sponges, brushes, mild detergents, hoses, towels, bathtubs or large basins, etc.

• Disassemble the Tent: Remove the fixed ropes and ground nails. And dismantle the tent fabric and the tent poles.

• Remove Mud and Debris: Use a soft brush to remove mud, dust, bird droppings, etc. on the surface of your tent. Make the tentas clean as possible. Our frame tent adopts PVC fabrics, and the smooth surface makes it particularly easy to clean.

• Cleaning the Tent: Mix the detergent and water. Then soak the tent in the mixed detergent for a while. Use a sponge or brush to gently scrub the tent, paying special attention to heavily soiled areas. But avoid using too much force to damage the fabric.

• Rinse the Tent Thoroughly: Now, the hose plays its role. Rinse the entire tent with clean water to sweep away any stains.

Dry the Tent Thoroughly

After cleaning, the tent needs to be completely dried. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that it will not be moldy because of moisture. You'll need to find a well-ventilated place and put your tent on a clothesline to let it dry naturally. But please do not expose your tent to sunlight directly, especially if the clear top tent will oxidize and turn yellow.

Packing the Tent Loosely

When the tent is thoroughly dried inside and out, you can start packing it. This will allow you to maintain your tent, keep it tidy, and prevent it from aging. Usually, you can perform a tent fold or roll up your tent and put it into a loose, breathable bag.

Stuff sacks are not recommended for tent packaging. Although they allow for compact packing, tents are too compressed and will negatively impact the tent's structure and covers.

Of course, it's so great if you still keep your tent's original packaging. You can use it directly without having to spend time looking for another perfect packaging for your tent. You can also put some desiccant inside the bag to prevent getting damp.

Storing the Tent in a Cool and Dry

When storing, firstly, you should separate tent poles and fabrics. Since tent fabrics may be damaged by the tent poles. Then, you need to keep your tent in a dry and cool place like a garage, utility room, etc. This can better keep the performance of tents.

In addition, camping tent storage should avoid directly touching the ground, otherwise, it is easy to attract small animals to gnaw at the tent. You can also do some proper insect control treatments, such as placing some mothballs.

Storage of Camping Equipment

If you need to store a lot of other camping equipment except for your tent, you can use cabinets and boxes to put them all together to prevent loss. Labeling and categorizing them through name or date of storage can help you to quickly identify them next time.

For dangerous equipment such as trekking sticks, knives, axes, and other sharp tools, you should store them more seriously. It's a good idea to put a protective cover on them to avoid injuries.

Periodic Inspection of Tents After Storage

Learned the tips on how to store a tent, so your tent and camping gear are properly stored. But your maintenance isn't over yet. You will also need to check the condition of your tent regularly in order to use it for the long term. 

Sheltent is committed to providing you with high-quality camping tents to create great camping. Our aluminum alloy tent frame can last for 20 years, and PVC fabric for 5 years.

In addition, we will provide professional storage advice and all-around after-sales service. If you need to repair it due to improper storage and can't fix it yourself, Sheltent's professional technicians are ready to solve problems for you.

Conclusion

Throughout the whole passage, you have grasped the methods of how to store a tent correctly and effectively. Cleaning and daily inspections allow you to have a more durable and cost-effective tent. You can be confident that your adventure will be more enjoyable and smoother.  

We provide detailed storage, installation, cleaning, and maintenance guides. If you would like to know more about maintaining tents, or if you would like to look at our camping tents, please contact Sheltent now.