Tent cleaning is somewhat comon sense as are many of the other types of cleaning that occur on a daily basis. The ideas outlined below represent some of the more frequesnt suggestions and recommendations from various members of the tent cleaning community throughout the USA. THESE METHODS APPLY TO VINYL TENT FABRIC ONLY.

Tent cleaning is usually performed by spreding the tent on a drop cloth on a concrete pad or parking lot.  Care must be taken to avoid rocks and all sharp objects that may punch holes or damage the fabric while the tent is being walked on during the cleaning process.  The TENT CLEANER is diluted 1 to 10 for very dirty tents, and 1 to 20 for light dirt films.  THE TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CLEANING TENTS ARE:

1. Sponge, mop or brush cleaning.
2. Rotary buffer.
3. Pressure washer.
   

The TENT CLEANER  should be applied liberally, flooding the surface area.  Let it stand for at least one (1) minute before beginning to clean.  TENT CLEANER contains surfactants that will penetrate the surface film during that time.  Large tents should be cleaned in sections to prevent the cleaner from  drying on the surface of the tents.  On hot summer days, spritzing the surface with a garden hose will keep the surface wet and prevent the drying cleaner from streaking or blotching the cleaning job.

Sponge, mop, or brush cleaning is the least aggressive on vinyl fabric. On newer tentswhere the vinyl is smooth, the films are easily cleaned with TENT CLEANER using this method.  As the vinyl fabric ages, it becomes microscopically pitted and creatched.  It tends to "hold" the dirt to the fabric.  More aggressive cleaning may be desired.  Dilute TENT CLEANER 1 to 10 with water and apply as before.

Some tent owners use a rotary buffer to clean these older tents.  Be sure to use a small buffer with a 12" to 15" base.  If a floor pad is used, use a white pad, or at the most, a red pad. Black or stripping pads are too aggressive and may damage the tent fabric.

Other tent owners use a pressure washer. A lower PSI of 1000 to 1500 is desired. One of the dangers  from higher pressures is blowing water into scrim that may show up as unsightly mildew later.  The pressure washer is used effectively for whitening the stitching; however for best results, pre-saturate with TENT CLEANER.

Clorox is never recommended for use cleaning,  When mixed with other chemicals, it may cause invisible, odorless, and deadly fumes. Clorox or chlorine can also rot stitching.  Natural fibers are particularly sensitive to chlorine rotting.

General care should be taken to test clean an inconspicuous small area. These suggestions apply to vinyl tents only.