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How to clean, dry and store a tent
Clean, dry and store your tent carefully, then inspect poles, zips and coatings before the next trip or a second-hand purchase.
The most useful tent-care habit is simple: dry it completely before storage. Packing it wet for the drive home is one thing; leaving it damp in its stuff sack can damage coatings and encourage mould.
Clean gently
Brush out loose dirt and check the manufacturer's instructions for the fabric and coating. MSR recommends gentle hand cleaning with warm water and a sponge, using an appropriate mild non-detergent soap when needed. Avoid bleach, harsh cleaners and machine washing or tumble drying unless the maker explicitly permits them.
Dry every part
Separate the inner and fly when practical. Check seams, peg loops, the groundsheet and the carry bag, not only the broad fabric panels. Dry poles and pegs too. Store the tent loosely in a cool, dry place rather than tightly compressed for months.
Use unpacking as an inspection
- Look for bent pole sections and damaged elastic.
- Check zip operation without forcing it.
- Look for lifting seam tape or sticky, flaking coatings.
- Count the pegs and repair small issues before the next trip.
Keep a note of the tent model and any approved repair products. When looking at a second-hand tent, ask to see it pitched and inspect the inside of the fly. A clean outer surface alone does not tell you whether its waterproof coating is sound.
Read next: How to check a second-hand tent before buying.
Sources and photo credit
Information checked 29 September 2026.
Photo: Mwanner at en.wikipedia. Original photograph; CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized for web display.
