This document provides tips for deodorizing and cleaning tents. It discusses proper storage to prevent mold and mildew, removing mold and mildew through scrubbing or bleach, treating odors with microbe-based eliminators like MiraZyme by saturating the tent and allowing it to air dry, cleaning the tent with a specialized detergent, and the benefits of keeping tents clean such as enjoying time outdoors and extending the life of the tent.

1. cranberry.com/5minutes #5minutes
This 5 Minute Webinar™ Sponsored By
How to Deodorize & Clean a Tent
Tips and Tricks for Deodorizing and Cleaning Tents
Presented by Gerald Craft from Gear Aid®

2. cranberry.com/5minutes #5minutes
WHAT IS
THE BIG IDEA?
So you can actually
enjoy your next camping
experience!
Keep your tent clean
and odor-free…
The Do’s and Don’ts for cleaning and storing tents
How to Deodorize Tents
Tips and tricks for removing mold and mildew odors
from tents
How to Clean Tents

3. 5 MINUTE FACT #1
The underside of most tent flies and the top side of most tent floors are coated with polyurethane (PU). This coating
“waterproofs” the fabric and prevents moisture from seeping through. Even though polyurethane is used to add
waterproofing, water can act as a very slow solvent.
NUTS &
BOLTS
Step 1: Proper Storage
The first step in preventing odors is to never store
your tent when it is wet or damp. Not only do you run
the risk of developing mold and mildew, but moisture
also deteriorates the waterproof coatings typically
applied to tent flies and tent floors.
Never store wet or damp tents and avoid moisture-
rich environments like musty basements or hot attics.

4. 5 MINUTE FACT #2
Avoid scrubbing the underside of tent flies and the top side of tent floors. Heavy scrubbing will remove polyurethane
coatings and affect the water-proofness of the fabric.
Removal will depend upon how ingrained the mold is in
the fabric. Sometimes you can remove mold by simply
scrubbing with soap and warm water. Other times, you
may need something more powerful like bleach. Begin
by hand washing the mold with warm soapy water.
If the mold is present on the underside of the tent fly or
top side of the tent floor, be careful not to remove the
polyurethane coating in place.
NUTS &
BOLTS
Step 2: Removing Mold or Mildew

5. 5 MINUTE FACT #3
The more you saturate the item with microbes the better the success you will have.
NUTS &
BOLTS
Step 3: Treating for Odors
Now that you’ve done your best to remove the mold and mildew, it’s time to treat
the tent for odors. A microbe-based odor eliminator like MiraZyme™ works best.
MiraZyme contains microbes that are “activated” as soon as the solution is mixed
with water.
Once activated, the microbes begin consuming themselves as well as any bacteria
present. They will continue to consume until their food source (water) runs out.
Once the water has evaporated, you should notice the greatest reduction in odor.

6. 5 MINUTE FACT #4
When pre-mixing a spray application of MiraZyme, use the pre-mixed solution within 72 hours. Once mixed with water
the microbes will begin consuming any bacteria present. However, they will consume themselves as well once mixed
with water.
NUTS &
BOLTS
Typically microbe-based odor eliminators like MiraZyme
require that you soak the fabric in a mixture of MiraZyme
and water and then allow that fabric to air dry.
Because most tents have a polyurethane coating applied
to the underside of the tent fly and the top side of the tent
floor, I would not recommend soaking the tent in water
since it acts as a slow solvent. Instead, use a spray bottle.
Step 4: Spray Bottle Application

7. 5 MINUTE FACT #5
MiraZyme will not leave behind any residues or impact breathability, so feel free to use it on technical fabrics and
GORE-TEX gear.
NUTS &
BOLTS
Step 5: Mixing Ratios and Application
Mix 2 oz. of MiraZyme per 16 oz. of water in an empty spray
bottle. Saturate the tent with your MiraZyme solution.
Allow the tent to air dry. Don’t rinse the tent because you’ll rinse
away the microbes. Don’t apply excessive heat, because heat will
impact the microbes as well. Just saturate the tent and allow it to
air dry completely.

8. 5 MINUTE FACT #6
Traditional household detergents like Tide and All contain heavy suds, optical brighteners and fabric softeners which
negatively impact water repellency. It is important to use a specialized, clean-rinsing detergent when washing
technical fabrics.
NUTS &
BOLTS
Step 6: Cleaning the Tent
Now that you’ve removed odors, the tent just needs one final scrub. We
recommend a clean-rinsing detergent like ReviveX® Pro Cleaner, which is
non-abrasive and will not leave behind any residue that could impact water
repellency or breathability.

9. 5 MINUTE FACT #7
It’s typically easier to clean tents when they are pitched and taut.
NUTS &
BOLTS
Step 7: Mixing Rations and Cleaning Tips
Simply mix a ½ oz. of ReviveX Pro Cleaner with 2 gallons
of water and scrub the EXTERIOR surfaces only. Do not
machine wash tents: the agitator could cause damage to
the fabric, special coatings and seam tape.
Do not scrub the underside of the tent fly or inside of the
tent floor as you may damage or remove the
polyurethane coating applied.

10. WHY IT
MATTERS
Make your time outdoors enjoyable. It’s never fun
dealing with a smelly tent!
No One Likes Sleeping in a Stinky Tent
Dirt can eat away at fabrics. Keep your gear around
for a while by taking good care of it!
When You Take Care of Your Stuff, It Lasts Longer
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11. Thank
You!
JOIN US
For more care and repair recommendations from Gear Aid, please visit:
McNett.com/GearAid
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Take care of the gear
that takes care of you.