Keeping your rapid deployment shelter in top condition: Cleaning and care tips

In this guide, LANCO discuss how rapid deployment tents are incredibly versatile, serving various purposes from accommodation to temporary warehouses and base camps. Given their usefulness, it’s essential to maintain them in good condition to ensure they last as long as possible.

Keeping your tent clean is crucial for your comfort and for extending its lifespan. This article provides comprehensive guidelines for cleaning your tent, so you can enjoy it for many years.

General considerations

A high-quality tent typically doesn’t require special maintenance, but there are some general points to consider to prolong the life of your tent and its accessories. These tips apply to any type of tent, regardless of its usage or the environment where it is deployed:

1. Never pack the tent when it is wet or even slightly damp. Mold can form quickly, especially in hot weather, and ruin your tent. Additionally, sleeping in a moldy tent can cause serious health problems.
2. Protect the tent skin from sharp objects such as nails, sharp plastic splinters and small stones.
3. Position the tent where you plan to set it up. Do not drag the tent over the ground.
4. Place furniture at a distance from the tent skin to ensure the tent never touches the objects inside, even in strong winds. This prevents cuts or holes in the fabric.
5. Set up the tent according to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damage to the fabric or frame. Inspect the tent regularly, especially when it is set up but not in use. If unoccupied, inspect weekly in spring, summer and autumn and daily in winter.

In the event of snow or sandstorms, remove snow or sand from the roof to prevent blockages, even if the tents have a snow/sand load of 100 kg/m². Check the distance poles to ensure they remain in position. If possible, dig the ground flap into the ground.

Cleaning procedure

Most modern tents are made of sturdy, high-density fabrics. For example, our tents are built to be robust and low maintenance. The PVC-coated polyester fabric of the tent skin and floor is waterproof and durable.

Professional tents often use a fabric coated via a cadmium-free process and lacquered on both sides. These products are designed to attract minimal dirt and be easy to clean, maintaining their attractive appearance over time. However, cleaning should still be carried out with care and attention.

Whenever tents are dismantled and transported back to storage, inspect them as soon as possible for any wet fabrics. If the fabric is wet, wash and dry it immediately to prevent mold growth.

Check each tent fabric for soiling. If the fabrics are dry and not too dirty, clean them by removing dust with a vacuum cleaner and wiping the surface with water and a cloth or brush. Use a standard mild detergent soap to clean all fabric parts with lukewarm, mild soapy water and a soft sponge.

Rinse completely with clean water and air dry. Follow the fabric cleaning instructions provided by your tent’s manufacturer if you cannot remove the dirt this way.

Depending on the degree of soiling, it may be advisable to have facilities for scrubbing large fabrics, external covers up to 60 m² (10.00 x 6.00 m) and drying them after cleaning. Wash basins can be used for inner linings, room dividers and inner cabins, provided they are large enough.

Equipment required:

• Pressure washer (if possible)
• Water hoses
• Brushes
• Cleaning cloth
• Cleaning agent
• Water supply

If using a high-pressure cleaner, ensure the pressure is not too high. Use maximum diffusion and keep about 100 cm away from the fabric. We recommend that each cleaning team consists of 2-3 people, as some fabrics are quite heavy, especially when wet.

If the fabrics are very dirty, clean them with a high-pressure cleaner or plenty of water, detergent, and brush, then hang to dry after thoroughly rinsing with clean water. Do not dry fabric in a tumble dryer to avoid shrinkage. Ensure all linings, covers and floor sheets are clean and dry before storage.

Cleaning tents in the field:

When erected, clean the tent’s skin using water, detergent, and a cloth, sponge, or brush. Vacuum the tents to remove dust and clean the surface with water and a cloth or brush. Remove difficult stains such as oil or tar with a petrol-soaked cloth. Dry wet fabric as soon as possible to prevent mold growth.

Mold removal

Mold growth on the fabric surface can be a health hazard. Wear protective clothing to avoid inhaling mold spores. A solution of vinegar and water can be useful for removing surface mold. Start with a weak vinegar solution, as vinegar will etch the surface of the PVC. If this doesn’t work, try a more concentrated vinegar solution.

Mold generally penetrates the surface. If the mold stain is small and localized, you can replace the area. Simple repairs can be carried out using the materials in the repair kit supplied with each tent. For small tears in the PVC materials, use extra PVC fabric and glue.

Warning: If your tent skin has camouflage or any kind of print, using a cleaning agent might damage the print. Test the product in a small, hidden area before using it on a larger area.

Conclusion

With the right setup, cleaning, and storage, you can enjoy your rapid deployment shelter for many years. Applying these suggestions will extend the tent’s life and ensure a pleasant and safe environment for its occupants.

Looking for a long-lasting, robust tent? LANCO’s rapid deployment tents are sturdy and durable, requiring little or no on-site maintenance. They are built to last by design. Contact us to learn more about our products and how your business can benefit from using them: LANCO Contact.