I just wondered if anyone had advice on how to clean a tent without ruining it. Just discovered mice/rats have been nesting in my airbeam vango and it reeks of urine. They’ve also nibbled a small area of the base of the tent. Although I can patch that up more concerned about the overwhelming smell. With thanks
water, just plain water should be used to clean any tent or you will ruin the waterproofing, the only thing you could do is put the tent up in your garden and get the hosepipe out on it and leave it to dry
Bicarbonate of soda is traditional for removing smells, so maybe try a sprinkle of dry left overnight then swept away. Or look in a store that sells pet stuff for 'accident' spray. Check the label before buying.
You’ll want to wash it anyway.
If that doesn’t work with the smell, two suggestions… Try Neutradol - at supermarket at the air freshener section, it’s a block of gel in a pot; doesn’t itself have smell, but absorbs it. And a car mechanic sorted my parents car when a milk bottle broke & the milk smell went sour: hang up one of those car Christmas tree cardboard air fresheners.
Have a look at Earthcare odour removal bags. I have had some success in removing rat odours from attics and wall cavities using these bags. Sunlight will also help to break down the smells if you wash it and leave it out in the sun for a few days.
------------- 'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
Well, I bellydance and used to perform in a restaurant that was smokey (and also I got rather hot...) and because I couldn't wash the costume top and belt I resorted to an old theatre trick to freshen up the garment: slightly diluted vodka or gin sprayed on and left to evaporate.
Whether or not that would dissolve the tent or affect the waterproofing I don't know, maybe test a small corner and then take a nip yourself whilst waiting for it to dry.