Have you pitched your tent and discovered it is moldy? Do you remember the last time you used your tent? It had been raining, and you were tired and did not take as much time as usual, to ensure your tent was dry before storing it away. The result is that you have a moldy tent. You might have read that it is unsafe to live in a house with mold, but does the same principle apply to sleeping in a tent for short periods? Is it safe to sleep in a moldy tent? Although we are not medical experts, the general opinion is no, it is not safe to sleep in a moldy tent.
The widely accepted thought is that if you discover your tent is moldy while pitching on a trip, you should be alright for the night. However, extended periods can harm people, particularly if you have an underlying health condition like asthma.
What Happens If You Leave A Tent Wet?
If you camp regularly, chances are, you will sometimes come home and have to deal with a wet tent. The temptation is to take what might seem the easiest option to stow your tent and leave it until the next trip.
How Long Does It Take For A Tent To Go Moldy?
So, you are taking your tent down in the rain and need to store it in its storage bag for the trip back. How long does it take for mold to start taking hold?
After 24-48 hours, you will see the first signs of mold. If the right conditions exist, that is, a warm, dark and humid environment, mold will immediately start to grow.
Taking a hammering from the weather is a key consideration when manufacturing a tent, even in extreme conditions. However, the moment you pack away your tent with some moisture residue, you risk damaging a key and expensive item of your camping gear.
If you remove your tent from its sack after a couple of days, or up to a week maximum, there is a possibility you will be able to rescue your tent from the invading mold.
Can Mold Damage Your Tent?
Yes, mold can damage your tent. If left untreated, it can eventually ruin your tent. The visible, black mold marks are surface spores. There are also thin roots which can grow in all directions, and once these get into the fibres of the tent material, they can cause a lot of damage and create holes, rot and tears. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent the mold from spreading, although you may not be successful in getting rid of the evidence of mold.
The Smell
If you leave your tent in its bag long enough, it is not just the mold you must sort but also the smell. It is stinky, with a musty odour, like an old pair of gym socks left at the bottom of your bag to rot. The smell can linger after cleaning, so definitely worth preventing.
Staining
If you see black, blue or green marks on your tent, check them immediately. Mold can be almost any colour, so check anything that looks suspiciously like mold. It can also look fuzzy. It could be dirt and easily cleaned. Or it may be the dreaded black spot and an unsightly sign of mold.
Do not panic. You probably can treat the mold, and you should do so immediately.
Is It Safe To Sleep In A Moldy Tent?
No, overall, it is not considered safe to sleep in a moldy tent. Whether in your home or a tent, mold can give off toxins, making people with underlying health conditions or those who are allergic to mold sick. Some molds are more dangerous than others, but as a general rule, molds can be harmful. Therefore it is simpler to think that mold is toxic when considering, ‘Is it safe to sleep in a moldy tent?’
Some people are more sensitive to moldy conditions, including:
- Babies and children
- Elderly
- People with respiratory diseases, such as asthma and allergies
- People with skin conditions, such as eczema
- Those with a weakened immune system
Reactions
Mold can cause allergic reactions, including a runny nose and red eyes. Irritate your skin, throat and lungs. Molds can also cause asthma attacks. For more information about the effects of mold, click here.
Can You Wash Mold Out Of A Tent?
If you have your tent pitched and spot mold signs, clean immediately. Any hesitation will allow time for the mold to take hold.
Depending on how deep-rooted the mold is, you might be able to wash it out with cool water and a non-detergent soap. Or use a specialised detergent compatible with your tent, and follow the manufacturing instructions at all times.
Can You Wash Your Tent In A Washing Machine?
No, never wash your tent in a washing machine, particularly a top-loader, which has a harsh agitator and can tear the fabric, seams and mesh.
Some might say it is okay to wash a tent in a front loader on a delicate wash. Do check your manufacturer’s guidelines, as many state not to wash in a washing machine, check out MSR Guidelines.
The best way to clean your tent is in the bath, and gently handwash. Use your hand as the agitator, and then leave to soak before agitating again.
Do not dry your tent in a machine dryer. They have the same action as a washing machine, and you are adding heat to the combination, potentially causing a lot of damage to your tent.
Can You Remove Mold From a Tent?
You have a moldy tent, and you know the answer to the question, ‘Is it safe to sleep in a moldy tent?’ You have tried washing your tent with a neutral and gentle soap, and you can not clean the mold. How and can you remove mold from a tent?
It is doubtful a manufacturer will cover you if your tent has mold, as your tent should always be packed away dry.
You can try to remove the mold in several ways making your tent smell fresh and safe for sleeping.
On a canvas tent, you can use a brush to gently brush the mold, which might help to lift it from the material.
Other ways you can try to remove mold from a tent include.
- A vinegar solution. Vinegar is not a good disinfectant, but it is a good cleaner.
Use distilled vinegar because it does not contain added colouring. Use a solution of ¼ cup vinegar with one cup of warm water. Spray on the tent and leave for approximately an hour, then gently agitate with a sponge or soft brush.
If you leave the tent outside to dry, it should eliminate the vinegary smell.
- Lemon juice. Use a lemon juice solution in a similar way to the vinegar method. Spray on a mixture of a gallon of warm water, a cup of lemon juice, and a cup of salt. It is believed both lemon juice and salt destroy the mold bacteria.
- Baking Soda can help clean the mold. It is also an effective deodoriser, which can help eliminate the moldy smell.
- Borax is a white powdery substance used as a cleaning agent for years. Some of its uses are to clean mold and to neutralise odours.
Remember to rinse with fresh water after the above treatments.
Bleach
Do not use bleach, no matter how desperate you are to rid your tent of mold. Not only will bleach ruin the color of the tent fabric it will also deteriorate the material.
Bleach works against mold on non-porous surfaces. These waterproof materials include stainless steel, laminate, and porcelain. It does not work on non-porous materials, such as nylon and canvas.
While bleach might kill the mold on the surface, it cannot destroy the roots. All you will succeed in doing is ruining your tent.
How Long Does A Tent Take To Dry?
You have cleaned your tent to remove the mold because you have answered no to the question, ‘Is it safe to sleep in a moldy tent?’ You also know you cannot dry your tent in the dryer, so how long does a tent take to dry?
The answer is variable as it depends on how wet your tent is, the material of the tent, and the weather’s humidity. However, if the conditions are perfect, it can take between 20 minutes to a couple of hours to dry a tent thoroughly and pack it away without the risk of developing mold.
Most Effective Way to Dry Your Tent
The most effective way to dry your tent is to set it up at home, ideally in direct sunlight, as sunlight helps to kill mold spores. A place where a breeze can blow through your tent will help quicken the drying process.
- Remove the rainfly. Not sure if your tent has one? Check here, rainfly.
- Spread the rainfly out, ideally on a dry and clean spot on the ground. Remember to flip it over a few times so that all sides dry.
- Open the doors and vents, allowing the air to circulate.
- Wipe off any excess moisture with a clean, dry towel. A highly-absorbent microfibre towel is probably the most efficient for this job. Do not forget the floor and the creases.
- Once your tent is properly dry, pack it away.
If you hang your tent inside, remember to move the tent around so the folds and creases can dry.
One point to be aware of is not to leave your tent in direct sunlight longer than necessary because sunlight can eventually damage your tent’s material, particularly a synthetic tent.
For a canvas tent, follow the same guidelines. However, the drying process may take longer as the canvas absorbs more water.
Regularly apply water repellent treatment to speed up drying your tent. It allows moisture to bead and run off the tent.
How To Avoid Getting A Moldy Tent.
The best way to avoid getting a moldy tent is to keep it dry, especially before storing it away.
Your tent is likely to get wet from rain or condensation when you are on a camping trip. If this happens, it is advisable to dry your tent during the day. The more you keep on top of keeping your tent dry, the greater chance you have of avoiding mold.
When you are using your tent, the more perfectly pitched your tent is, the easier it is for moisture to glide off your tent.
Wiping down both inside and outside can be part of your daily ritual. Then leave vents and doors open as much as possible to allow the air to circulate and ventilate your tent, preventing moisture from being trapped inside.
Move items of bedding and clothing away from the sides of the tent, preventing moisture from collecting and creating a warm and humid environment, the perfect place for mold to form.
Watch greasy hands. Suntan lotion and bug spray can affect the water repellent on your tent.
If possible, cook outdoors, or have the doors and vents open. Cooking can create a lot of condensation, especially if cooking on gas.
Conclusion
Is it safe to sleep in a moldy tent? No, it is not safe. It is unhealthy to sleep in a moldy tent, and it can cause health issues. Fortunately, mold is avoidable, and you should not have to sleep with mold. It is easier to prevent mold from developing than treat, especially once mold starts to take hold and rot your tent.
Mold thrives in damp, dark and humid conditions. You should prevent mold by keeping your tent clean and dry and storing it correctly.
If you see signs of mold, treat immediately, even if you are away. Do not wait until you get home. It only takes 24 – 48 hours for mold signs to appear.
As long as you take the steps advised in the article, you can enjoy many more years in your tent and have a good night’s sleep.