Canvas tents can be expensive items amongst all your camping gear, so it makes sense to take proper care of them so they will last you over several future camping excursions. When you are staying outdoors, your canvas tent is obviously going to be exposed to the elements, which will the major contributor to wearing it down. I’m going to discuss the importance of keeping your canvas wall tent dry then look at some ways you can waterproof the material. By the end of this post, you’ll be able to take proper action to protecting your tent.
Why would a canvas tent need waterproofing? Well, we all know that any fabric can be damaged from extended exposure to the various harsh conditions of the outdoors such as the rain and sun. However, for a canvas tent, because it is made from natural fibers, cotton, it has a risk of mildew forming on its surface when wet. Of course this won’t happen instantly. What I’m saying is that if the material remains wet over a period of time, then mildew will form. Mildew is a particular type of mold which grows when there is a high level of moisture. Once this happens, your tent will look and smell very off.
Before I go through the waterproofing method, there is something simple you can do to reduce the likelihood of mildew growth. Every time after usage, you should ensure that your canvas tent is properly dry before storing it away for your next camping trip. Definitely do not store it while it is still even damp. The storage place should be cool and dry.
There are a few ways to waterproof canvas tents, each with varying degrees of effectiveness. In order to apply any of the methods, you’ll need to have sufficient surface area on which to lay out your tent. It should also be a level surface. If your tent is large, then you can place it out on a deck in your backyard.
A natural way is to use blocks of wax. Once you have smoothed the material out, you simply rub the wax onto the surface. This builds a coating that has enough thickness to prevent water penetrating through. In order to reach the more difficult corners of the tent, you’ll need to shave bits of the wax and push them into the corners.
A second way is to use spray which you can purchase from either specialist camping stores or even some large department stores. These sprays contain silicone which prevents absorption of water. Ensure that you use gloves before handling the sprays. Also do the spraying in an area that has good ventilation but at the same time not windy.