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We bought an Outwell Michigan XL last September and used it once for 2 nights in the poring rain.  Having read on here about the importance of airing the tent we got it out as soon as we had a dry day and left it to air for quite a while in the garden.  It was a sunny day with a breeze so I felt quite happy that it was dry and aired.

However we've just been away for the first time this year and to our horror one of the bedroom pods has mildew in it.  Hopefully as the pod can be removed, washing it will sort it and we've been relatively lucky but obviously it shouldn't have happened and we want to prevent it happening again. 

Any ideas on where we went wrong?  I'm concerned as we've had to pack the tent away wet again yesterday, it's wet today and no dry weather forecast till Friday.  We haven't room in the house to air it inside, will leaving it till then cause damage? 

Will the bedroom pods be ok in the washer?  And any advice on how to clean the rest on the tent without damaging the waterproofing? 

We also had a few drops through the 'living room' roof during a very heavy rainfall on Saturday night - is this a cause for concern too?

Sorry for all the daft questions, second time campers! 

I've found the dettol mould and mildew remover great for removing any areas of mould / mildew, it works really well, and hasnt caused any damage to the tent I've used it on. I think it works better than my old favourite of milton fluid.

Just sprayed a little on a cloth, wiped the mouldy bits, left it for 10 minutes, then wiped it off with a clean cloth and water, and the mould was gone. It does contain bleach though, so I recommend marigolds or similar!

I did reproof the tent, as it needed doing anyway, so Im not sure whether you'd need to or not.

I too am an advocate of the Dettol Mould and Mildew remover as we used it on the bedroom pod of our second hand Outwell Monty 4 earlier this year.

Spray on, leave for a couple of minutes and then chuck in the washing machine on a gentle wash (with NO detergent). Came out completely clear of any trace of mildew.

campasarow 

Quote: Originally posted by kate w on 07/6/2010

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Better to have your tent pitched in the garden, raining or not than having it soggy in the house.  You could leave the bedroom inners in the house, turning occasionally just making sure they're completely dry.

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Not a chance of pitching it in the garden, as I said it's not big enough, it would be out there partly crumpled up and gathering the rain.

Bedroom inners removed when we packed up at the site.

We've had it out today and washed it but then it drizzled so t's still wet - I've had the worst affected bedroom pod in the washer but still mouldy bits - is mildew remover safe as I expect the bleach will discolour the pod?

We'll have to try again tomorrow and hope for a dry few hours with the main tent,