Whether canvas, nylon, plastic or vinyl, whether made for serious camping or backyard play, tents are subject to dampness, and the musty odor that goes along with it.

Sometimes, a good airing out in the sun is all that’s required. Other times, removing tent odors requires an antimicrobial cleanser and some hot water. 

Tent Storage Tips to Prevent Odors:

• Never pack your tent away when it is even slightly damp. The next time you unpack it, you can be guaranteed it will stink. Few things are less conducive to a great camping trip than spending the night in a smelly, musty tent.
• Experts advise setting up the tent in your backyard to let it air out, before storing it after a camping trip.
• If you store your tent in a humid or damp place, such as your basement or a storage unit, it may get smelly no matter how dry it was when you stored it. The best way to ensure that tent odors don’t have a chance to develop is to keep the moisture level down to 50% or less relative humidity. This will not only keep your tent odor free, it will do the same for anything else stored in the same place.

DampRid makes a full line of moisture absorbers. These non-electric dehumidifiers absorb and hold excess moisture from the air, lowering the relative level of humidity so musty odors can’t develop. When the excess humidity is gone, the musty tent odors are gone along with it.  DampRid’s Moisture Absorbers are effective and economical. Put one in your basement, attic, garage, or wherever you store your tent to keep it musty odor free, and extend its life.

For other odors your tent absorbs, such as smoke, skunk or animal urine – try putting Odor Genie right inside the tent. This super effective product doesn’t just cover up unpleasant odors – it neutralizes them completely with a special formula. Odor Genie gives you continuous odor removal for up to 60 days, using a solid gel that dissipates into the air, safely and effectively neutralizing tent odors.