3 tips for tent care that every camper should heed

If you want to enjoy your tent for a long time, you should take care of it. With these 3 tips for tent care, you extend the lifespan of your tent.

from Martin Gebhardt | Camping | reading time 1 Min
Updated on 22 September 2023 9.385 views 100% found this guide helpful
3 tips for tent care that every camper should heed

Martin Gebhardt

From Martin Gebhardt. Check out my “About me” page.


👉 The key facts from this guide

  • Treat your tent like your home bedroom: No shoes or food inside the tent
  • Waterproof your tent with waterproofing spray and regularly coat it anew
  • Repair small tears and stains immediately with a tent care kit
  • Clean and inspect your tent after each use
  • Allow the tent to fully dry before packing it up
  • Store your tent in a cool, dry place

Your tent is one of the most important pieces of equipment you need as a camper.

It provides protection, a place to sleep, and the feeling of comfort, safety, and security when you are out in nature.

It is your sanctuary in the great outdoors, and therefore it deserves your attention.

If you want to enjoy your tent for many years, you should make maintenance a habit.

With these 3 tips for tent care, you can extend the lifespan of your tent.

Treat it like your bedroom

Your tent is your "personal space" when you're out in the wilderness.

Of course, you want your room to be clean and tidy at all times.

However, more importantly, it is cozy and comfortable.

To achieve this, you should treat the space as if it were your personal space at home - your bedroom.

You wouldn't want any dirty, muddy shoes in there, right?

Or do you want to have crumbs on the floor that could attract ants?

Make sure that no shoes are worn in your tent to protect the floor.

You should also not eat in the tent, as it would attract pests that could damage the fabric.

Make the tent waterproof

Many of the tents sold today are already waterproof, but if your tent is not, you can make it waterproof yourself.

A waterproof tent is essential
A waterproof tent is essential

All you need is a can of all-purpose waterproofing spray (get it here), which is available in most hardware stores.

And even if it is indeed waterproof, you should reapply a new coating to the walls and floor of your tent from time to time.

This will prevent leaks in the future.

Reading tip: Do you want to buy a tent? Then read this ultimate guide to tents first

Fix quickly

You should always have a small tent care set (buy here) with you when you go camping.

So you can quickly act if you discover a stain or a tear.

Repair small tears immediately
Repair small tears immediately

If you discover a crack or a stain, no matter how small it is, sew or clean it immediately, while the damage is still small.

Later actions will only result in the accumulation of problems, and it may be too late to save your tent.


In addition to the tips mentioned above for tent care, you should clean your tent roughly after each use.

Check the tent for cracks, stains, holes, or mold and make the necessary repairs immediately.

Let it dry completely (preferably in a shady area in your garden) before wrapping it up for storage.

Store your tent in a cool, dry place until it is ready for use again.

All important facts about cleaning, storing and repairing, I have written in a separate guide.


If you follow these 3 simple tips for tent care, the lifespan of your tent will definitely be extended.

Take care, Martin
Martin Gebhardt

Author of the guide


Martin Gebhardt

Hey, I'm Martin. On my blog, you will learn the basics and numerous details about living in the wild. I think survival, bushcraft and the good life in nature are the keys to happiness. Find me here on Instagram or on YouTube. You can find more about my mission on the About Me page.

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