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Topic: Help! My tent has black spores growing on

kimmysue

04/2/2013 at 6:15pm
Location: Southampton
Outfit: Vango Ascott 500

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I have a Hi Gear Zenobia 6 tent. Ok it's not the most expensive tent out there, but it has been perfect for our family and we have enjoyed many trips in it over the past four years!

When we returned from our last camping trip it had been raining and we had to wait a couple of weeks before we could put the tent up for an airing. The great British summer!!

When we pitched the tent in the garden we noticed there were a lot of black spores growing on the fabric of the tent. I couldn't remove them with a gentle scrub, so we let it air thoroughly and packed it away for the winter.

Can anyone recommend a treatment for the tent? If there is such a thing? I am concerned if I scrub the tent, will I effect the waterproofness of the tent?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

1Man1Dog

04/2/2013 at 6:47pm
Location: Gwynedd
Outfit: Various tents.

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This thread may be handy.

victoria1

04/2/2013 at 6:50pm
Location:
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It's mildew, and there's not much you can do about it. If the tent has been dried out properly then it probably won't have continued to develop - and you'll just have the marks. I think you're going to have to learn to ignore them.

You are right to be reluctant to wash or scrub the fabric. If you touch it with any detergent you will affect the waterproofness. Even childrens bubbles that are so often found on campsites, will harm the tent. If a bubble pops on your tent, it will leave a perfect little circle that is no longer waterproof.

arsenaldes

04/2/2013 at 7:12pm
Location: Aston Clinton
Outfit: Kampa Holkham + Outwell Yukon River*

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You need to kill the mildew spores otherwise they will keep growing. Diluted Milton solution is ideal for this (Outwell used to suggest it on their website) just make sure you rinse it off well.

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Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again

youlbury

04/2/2013 at 7:31pm
Location: Cornwall
Outfit: Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0 xtr Vario

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I found some spots of mildew on the bedroom pods once I used Dettol mould & mildew remover, I left it for an hour and it wiped clean without a stain...I was lucky.

Please be warned do not get it near the outer it will start removing the waterprooof qualities of the tent.

Milton is safer to use though.

I know there are a few tent cleaning products out there but I doubt that will help.

I would cut the middleman out and buy the below it is without inners and poles, complete too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ADA2579-Hi-Gear-Zenobia-6-6-Berth-Family-Tent-Faulty-/190789510990?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_HikingCamping_Tents_JN&hash=item2c6bf0e74e

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lidds0

04/2/2013 at 7:57pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: None Entered

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An excellent find, Youlbury, and even cheaper than some Milton and Fabsil!

ldpdmp

04/2/2013 at 8:11pm
Location: durham
Outfit: bailey

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milton is the one fungi hate it but there again so would you if you had a bath in it ok for baby bottles and for home brewing gear though

kimmysue

04/2/2013 at 8:19pm
Location: Southampton
Outfit: Vango Ascott 500

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Thank you all for your replies.

A huge huge thank you to youlbury for the eBay link! I wouldn't have thought about looking there! Ideal!! Placed a bid and won the outer for 0.99p plus postage!! Thank you so so much!

kimmysue

04/2/2013 at 8:19pm
Location: Southampton
Outfit: Vango Ascott 500

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youlbury

04/2/2013 at 8:39pm
Location: Cornwall
Outfit: Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0 xtr Vario

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Quote: Originally posted by kimmysue on 04/2/2013
Thank you all for your replies.

A huge huge thank you to youlbury for the eBay link! I wouldn't have thought about looking there! Ideal!! Placed a bid and won the outer for 0.99p plus postage!! Thank you so so much!

Great glad you got in time.

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It's better to ask a silly question than make a silly mistake.

RTS5

04/2/2013 at 8:42pm
Location: North Wiltshire
Outfit: Elddis & 3 tents

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Well that is one way to cure a mould problem. Well Done Kimmysue and top find Youlbury

arsenaldes

04/2/2013 at 9:13pm
Location: Aston Clinton
Outfit: Kampa Holkham + Outwell Yukon River*

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Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again

arsenaldes

04/2/2013 at 9:14pm
Location: Aston Clinton
Outfit: Kampa Holkham + Outwell Yukon River*

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Just bear in mind Manufacturers do not recommend the use of any household cleaners on tent flysheets as a lot contain bleach which can cause both fabric and waterproof membrane to deteriorate which is why Outwell recommended Milton

-------------
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again

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