Removing mold from tent advice please!

[aliferste]

Just got the family tent out the shed and it looks like my leaky shed roof has caused a bit of damage - my tent has some mouldy patches.

Any tips on getting rid of it?

[Traditionalist]

Just got the family tent out the shed and it looks like my leaky shed roof has caused a bit of damage - my tent has some mouldy patches.

Any tips on getting rid of it?

Dilute Domestos, ( cup full in a bucket of water), paint on, leave for ten minutes, and then rinse off thoroughly.  If the mould has actually eaten any fabric then all you can do is patch it.

If you don't need a bucket full, then  ten tablespoons to a pint of water will do it as well.

TL
MC

[Fishtales]

As Mike has said dilute bleach and a scrubbing brush You will have to reproof it afterwards too. If it has a musty odour try a cup of salt and a cup of lemon juice in a gallon of water and go over it again after it dries and before proofing. If it is cotton then use Nikwax wash-in, make it up in a bucket and paint it on the erected tent with a stiff brush and wipe gently to get rid of runs with a soft cloth. For nylon use one of the spray on waterproofers like Grangers.

[aliferste]

Just checked it again - there is a lot more than what I thought so I reckon a bucket full will be the job - so just your usual run of the mill domestos in a bucket of water and then wipe it over with a brush - sounds easy enough.

I will do the job this weekend and get it reproofed the next one - it is a nylon tent so will need to reproof it - is Grangers easy to get on?

[Traditionalist]

Just checked it again - there is a lot more than what I thought so I reckon a bucket full will be the job - so just your usual run of the mill domestos in a bucket of water and then wipe it over with a brush - sounds easy enough.

I will do the job this weekend and get it reproofed the next one - it is a nylon tent so will need to reproof it - is Grangers easy to get on?

Use a stiff brush and brush it in well. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET ANY DOMESTOS IN YOUR EYES!!! Wear goggles.

TL
MC

[Fishtales]

It would appear the Nikwax will do nylon

http://www.surplusandadventure.com/shop/clothing/product-care-waterproofing/nikwax-waterproofing-tent-gear-475372.html

This is the one I was thinking of.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0017RKDF2/ref=asc_df_B0017RKDF27286914?smid=A3RBUZWIOKRT7E&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B0017RKDF2

I have used the Nikwax on my cotton tent and the Granger on the nylon one and both did a good job.

[Black-Don]

In my experience if it's mildew ( and not mould ) which I reckon it is, you won't get the mark out completely however many times you bleach it or wash it .  Had some on a matress cover in the loft over the winter even though it was wrapped in polythene and it only shifted partially.

[Traditionalist]

In my experience if it's mildew ( and not mould ) which I reckon it is, you won't get the mark out completely however many times you bleach it or wash it .  Had some on a matress cover in the loft over the winter even though it was wrapped in polythene and it only shifted partially.

Mildew is mould.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mildew

Follow these steps to remove mildew stains from Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester and Spandex. Most mildew stains can be removed during regular laundering if they are moistened beforehand.

If a stain remains:

    Test fabric for colorfastness.
    If color doesn't change, cover stain with a paste of lemon juice and salt.
    On cotton and linen, make a paste from an oxygen bleach, water, and a few drops of ammonia.
    Let paste cover stain for 15 to 30 minutes.
    Flush thoroughly with water and launder again.

Of course it is not possible to "launder" a lot of things. So you have to resort to brushing and rinsing.

TL
MC

[Black-Don]

Mildew is mould.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mildew

Aye but it's a particularly nasty type of cloth eating mould    :lol:

Went fishing to the Carron tonight and had some black mould in my leadasink, looked nasty stuff as well   :shock:

[Black-Don]

Still - it taught me a hard lesson - never ever pack away a tent if damp or wet... Everytime I use my tents now I always put them / hang them up in the living room to be absolutely certain they're dry before wrapping them away till the next time...

Yep, great advice. Get home, keep the tent loosely packed i.e lying around the living room floor. If you don't have a living room , leave it in a loose pile until a dry day comes along. Hang it on the washing line then bring it in before darkness and dew arrive and leave it in a warmish room for at least half an hour before packing.

Then, and only once it is completely dry, pack it away and store it somewhere where absolutely no moisture or dampness can get to it.

Mildew eats tents, you have been warned !