Fwd: Re: [at-l] Washing my Tent?

[bullard@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Jim Bullard)]

>Date: Wed, 02 Apr 2003 15:59:15 -0500
>To: at-l@backcountry.net
>From: Jim Bullard <bullard@northnet.org>
>Subject: Re: [at-l] Washing my Tent?
>
>At 02:26 PM 4/2/2003 -0500, Mark Hudson wrote:
>
>>I suspect that the smell you're talking about may be a case of mildew. I
>>had a tent that took on a rather vile smell that washing didn't seem to
>>cure. Try handwashing with a gently detergent, and then going over the tent
>>several times over a week or so with Fabreese (sp?) or a similar product.
>>It took a couple of doses but worked for me, or at least got it down to a
>>barely noticable level.
>>BTW, the instructions that I've seen for tents says not to machine wash
>>them. OTOH I've gotten away with it... heck, if it won't take the rigors of
>>a washing machine how is it supposed to stand up on the trail? <g>.
>>Assuming you would never, ever, machine wash a tent, remove all attached
>>guy lines first, and zip up the screen so it won't snag.
>
>I've never washed a tent but if I were to wash one, I would use a front
>loading washer (one of those "triple loaders" at the back of the
>laundramat. They don't have an agitator so they should be easier on the
>tent. I admit this is pure speculation but it makes sense to me.
>
>Saunterer

P.S. And add some Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to the detergent. That's
supposed to help with odors.