Cleaning a tent fly?

[jsmla]

I'd really like to wash our tent fly. I've been nosing around the internet and most sites recommend a "non-detergent" cleaner. I really don't want to pay $$$ at a camping supply store if I can do it cheaper, it'd be great if I could use something we already have at home. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[frankp01]

Googling 'non-detergent cleaner' gets me hits, mostly, to Nikwax, which is probably the product you saw in camping stores. I found one or two references to 'green' cleaners, but I'd want to read the label pretty closely.

Since the cost of a bottle of Nikwax, relatively speaking, isn't that much compared to the cost of a new tent, if it were me I'd be safe and use the product designed to help retain water repllency. And *don't* wash the fly in the washer! Do it by hand, or spread it out on the ground and give it a brushing. Then rinse well. You might also consider spraying it with one of Nikwax's water 'repelency-replenishers' as the last step.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I wash our dog, never tried to wash a fly, I usually just swat them.







sorry, couldn't help myself,

 

[CCIntrigue]

I wash our dog, never tried to wash a fly, I usually just swat them.

I had to Google "tent fly" to figure out what it is.

 

[jsmla]

Hubby is the camping person and he's convinced me that it's false economy to try anything but the stuff from the camping store. I guess I'll have to go out!

We have a travel trailer that we use at Disney but are planning a tent trip to a state park for my birthday. I'm going to keep an eye on the weather though, I would have hated to be in a tent during what blew through here yesterday!