How to Clean a Rooftop Tent: The Ultimate Guide

From an outdoor enthusiast’s perspective, nothing says “summer” quite as much as lounging in a cozy tent on a warm summer night. After all, who wants to spend the warmer months indoors? Thankfully, you don’t have to be a member of the outdoors community to enjoy spending time under the stars. As long as you have a rooftop tent and a roof to put it on, you can enjoy an indoor camping experience just as easily as an outdoor one. If you’ve been using a rooftop tent for any amount of time, you know it’s important to keep it clean. Not only does this make your camping experience more enjoyable, but it also helps to ensure the longevity of your tent. Read on for our handy guide on how to clean your rooftop tent!

 

How Often Should i Clean my Rooftop Tent?

This is a great question, and the answer may surprise you. While keeping your tent clean is important, you don’t need to do it as often as you might think. In fact, we recommend cleaning your tent after every trip or two. If you are camping in an area known for its strong winds and dust storms, consider cleaning it more often than usual. This will help ensure that your tent stays in good condition and lasts for years.

 

What Tools do i Need to Clean my Tent Properly?

To clean your tent, you will need a brush or scrubber to remove any dirt or debris from the tent’s surface. Also, you will need a hose, cloth, and mild soap to clean your tent’s fabric.

 

How to Clean Your Rooftop Tent

Cleaning your roof tent can be a lot of work, but keeping the fabric strong and durable is essential. If you don’t clean your roof tent, dirt buildup will cause wear and tear over time, significantly reducing your product’s lifespan.

Step One: Start by removing all the mattress pads, bed sheets, pillows, or blankets inside your rooftop tent. Then use a vacuum cleaner to clean the top side of your fabric. This should remove most dirt buildup from your rooftop.

Step Two: Place the mattress pads and beddings in a bucket or tub of water with a detergent solution for some minutes and place them in the washer. This will allow you to clean out all the dirt stuck deep within the fabric fibers. Use a laundry detergent that will loosen up any more dirt from deep within the fabric fibers of your roof tent pads.

Step Three: Next, water your rooftop tent thoroughly. This will help clean the fabric and get rid of dust buildup. You could use a soap/water solution to scrub out any stains or marks on the tent.

Step Four: Use a towel and cleaning solution to wipe the inside of the tent. Food or dirt can often collect between the mattress and base, so cleaning this area will keep the tent fresh. If the poles that make up your tent’s frame are uncovered, you can whip those down as well.

Step Five: For a softshell rooftop tent, the PVC cover collects dust, bugs, and mud quickly. Clean the cover off by hosing it down and scrubbing off any debris where needed. Not only do you want your tent to stay clean, but taking off a gross cover every time is not a good time.

Step Six: Cleaning your ladder is easy and necessary, especially if you have a sliding ladder. Dirt accumulates in the sliding tracks making it difficult to slide open and close! You could easily wipe it down for telescoping ladders, and it should be clean with no performance issues.

Step Seven: Allow your rooftop tent and its components to dry completely before reassembling it. If you pack the tent away when wet, mildew will begin to form. This will be noticeable from looking at it, but more so by the smell. Once it is there, it is near impossible to rid of.

Step Eight: To finish the cleaning process for your rooftop tent, put everything back in. Now you have a clean and fresh tent ready for a harsh camping season!

 

How to Get Rid of Mildew in a Rooftop Tent

If you notice mildew on your rooftop tent, act quickly to remove it. Use a brush or cloth to scrub the affected area with a mixture of water and vinegar. You can also try using a mildew-resistant cleaner. Dry the area completely once the mildew is gone to prevent it from returning. Pack your tent away clean and dry to avoid mildew buildup in the future.

 

Wrapping Up

Cleaning your rooftop tent may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple. By following these eight easy steps, you’ll have your tent looking good as new in no time. And, by keeping up with regular cleaning and maintenance, you can extend the life of your tent and ensure that it’s always ready for your next adventure.