Keeping Your Child's Play Tent Clean

Play tents that are sold online are usually strong and durable, but that does not make them immune to dirt and mold. Every time you set your child's play tent up, it is bound to get dirty and stained. All the more if you set the play tent outside the house, stains and mud are very likely to stick on the tent's walls and poles. In order to avoid damaging the play tent because of overstaying mold and dirt, you should keep your child's play tent as much as possible.

Before folding down the play tent and storing it in its carry bag, it is best that you clean it first. But if cleaning up the tent before packing it up is impossible to do right there and then, put the tent back up and clean it the soonest that you can. It is more convenient to clean a tent when it is standing up because it is very difficult to clean and dry a tent when it is collapsed.

Play tents are treated with chemicals that make them waterproof, stain resistant, and mildew resistant. But despite that, it is not wise to wash them with water alone - washing the tent will ruin the tent's waterproof finish. If your child's play tent is just dusty and dirty form regular indoor use, a simple brush and vacuum is all you need. Shake the tent first outside and then brush away the dirt as much as you can. Then use the vacuum to remove the remaining dirt.

If there are stains on the play tent, a deeper cleaning is therefore necessary. Choose a cleaner that does not contain harsh detergent ingredients, and if possible, use something that is specifically intended to clean tents. Mix the cleaner with water following the instructions found on the cleaner's bottle.

Using detergent to clean your child's tent is not good because the strong chemicals from the detergent can break down the special coatings of the tent. After rinsing thoroughly, hose the play tent down one last time to make sure that all cleaner is removed. Dry it completely before packing it away.

If you find molds in your child's play tent, a much stronger solution is needed. But usually, a mixture made of half water and half vinegar will suffice. You can either spray it on the tent or soak the tent in it, depending on the size of the area that needs cleaning. After soaking, scrub the mold off with a brush and rinse the tent thoroughly when you are done. Again, make sure that you dry the tent completely before storing it away.

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