Old tents smelling old

DaveB

Long Jeep Fan
Location
Holladay, Utah
My wife and I are cleaning out the basement and we have some old vintage tents. Some of them have a bit of mildew smell. Before I chuck them does anyone have a secret way to get them smelling better ? Some are some nice backpacking SpringBars so I hate to just chuck them.
 

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
My wife always suggests a bowl of vinegar for smelly stuff? I'm not sure if that'll get rid of the mildew smell or not? It did work, mostly, on the cigarette smell in Sweaty Betty. Black Super Duty in the summer sun... I'm not sure if that smell will EVER get out of that truck entirely.
 

Kevin B.

Not often wrong. Never quite right.
Moderator
Location
Stinkwater
If they're legit mildewed, they might be ruined. The mildew can literally eat the canvas and the weave gets loose enough that you'll never be able to waterproof them again. A little musty smell will dissipate if you set the tent up and leave it to air out, but if it's got a proper funk to it you'll need some elbow grease to bring it around.

This is the wrong season for this, but watch the forecast for a nice long sunny stretch and set it up in the yard, full sun. What would take 24 hours in the summer is probably most of a week in the winter, but you need it good and dry and the mildew does not like the UV at all. Go over the canvas inside and out with a dry bristle brush to remove any dried mud or loose whatever, and vacuum it up. Then to kill any mildew that might be lurking, spritz the whole thing heavily inside and out with a 1:1 of water and rubbing alcohol. Pay attention to the seams, get those good and soaked. Let it get mostly dry, then go after it again with a soft bristle brush and soapy water - a mild dish detergent is great. Then you're ready to reapply the waterproofing of your choice and she'll be good as new.

Unless they're actually rotten I would hate to see you chuck them too. If you decide not to revive them yourself I'd love to take a swing. Old Springbars are awesome.
 
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