Maintaining a rooftop tent is much easier than caring for traditional tents. After all, they stay clean much longer since they don’t make contact with the ground. Even so, it’s always a good idea to clean your rooftop tent after every adventure.
Learning how to clean and store your rooftop tent is essential for keeping your camping equipment in good condition. A tidy tent will also make things more comfortable when you’re on the road. Give every journey a fresh start with these helpful cleaning and storage tips.
After a long excursion, it’s tempting to stuff your tent away without cleaning it first. However, all that does is leave more work to be done before you can embark on your next trip. Allowing sweat, dirt, and debris to set into your tent and bedding materials will make the mess difficult to remove later on.
You don’t have to deep clean every time, but your future self will thank you for the additional effort. Create a cleaning routine using the following techniques.
First, you’ll need to remove your bedding; a truck bed roof tent from Super Pacific comes with a comfortable mattress. Be sure to wash your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets to remove sweat and dust particles.
You can’t stuff your mattress in a washing machine, but sprinkling the surface with baking soda then vacuuming will eliminate funky odors. If you need to remove a stain, dampen the spot with white vinegar and scrub with a soft-bristled brush or blot with a microfiber towel.
Next, wipe away any loose dirt and debris—using water before this step will just create mud. Use a soft cloth or microfiber towel to gently wipe your tent’s inside panels. Don’t forget to wipe the mesh windows and zippers, too.
Sweep away leaves and dirt from the bottom of your tent; a stiff-bristled broom or brush should do the trick. Removing the loose layer of dirt before using soap and water allows your cleaning solution to penetrate the grime more efficiently.
You don’t want to use harsh chemicals to clean your rooftop tent. While our tents are durable, substances can linger on materials and endanger your health in the future. Instead, all you need is mild soap and warm water.
Dampen a soft cloth with soap and water. Use gentle motions to scrub away set-in stains. If you need something a little more abrasive, use a brush with softer bristles or a rough sponge. Avoid soaking your tent with water to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Pro tip: If you do find mold growing in your tent, there’s an easy solution. Saturate the area with white vinegar and let it dry. If necessary, repeat this process. Using vinegar is a natural way to remove mildew and neutralize musty odors.
Once your tent is nice and clean, let it dry before storing it away. Damp tents in dark spaces support mold growth, but that’s not all. A wet tent will accumulate bacteria, attract bugs, and end up being dirtier than before you started cleaning.
After wiping things down with a damp cloth, follow up with a dry towel. Lay your tent out in the sun or in a well-ventilated area to get rid of lingering moisture. Now, your tent is ready for your next adventure off the grid.
Things can still get stuffy between deep cleanings. To keep your tent smelling fresh, air it out frequently. Unzip window and door panels to let the breeze in; clean air will whisk away any musty odors that settle in between trips.
Now that you know how to clean your rooftop tent, how do you store it properly? It’s not as simple as rolling it up and keeping it in a closet. Rooftop tents often have hard shells and heavier hardware to maintain the tent’s structure.
You’ll need plenty of space for your rooftop tent. Garages and storage units work well since they’re easy to keep clean and dry. We don’t recommend leaving your tent outdoors since it will be vulnerable to water and other elements. Instead, try using these storage methods.
Now’s the time to take care of any small repairs. There’s nothing worse than getting your tent out for the season only to discover damage you put off fixing.
Lubricate difficult zippers so they always slide with ease. Patch any holes in your tent fabric and replace any dented metal fixtures. If you notice compromised frames and structural support, have a professional repair your tent as soon as possible.
The best way to store your rooftop tent is by hanging it from the ceiling of your garage. This way, your tent and supplies are off the ground and away from bugs, water, and dirt. Ceiling storage also makes installing and removing your rooftop tent simple.
Mount a storage rack right above your normal parking space. You’ll also need to install an electric or manual pulley system to lift your tent to the mount and lower it to your truck’s roof. Use sturdy ratchet straps to give your mount more support.
Ceiling mounts can be a hefty investment. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, consider elevating your ground storage by building a platform to keep your tent off the floor and away from contaminants.
You could also place foam noodles and PVC pipes under your hard shell for a makeshift pallet. Whatever you do, don’t leave your tent on the ground—doing so will make all of that cleaning work completely pointless.
The most important thing to remember about rooftop tent storage is to keep your space dry. Garages can leak or flood during heavy storms, which is why keeping your tent off the ground is so important. Pay attention to extreme weather and move your tent to a safe location before your storage area takes on water.
Storage spaces tend to get humid during warmer months, which can also encourage mold growth. Use a dehumidifier to remove extra moisture from the air. If something does get wet, wipe it down with a dry cloth and lay it out in the sun immediately.
Cleaning and storing your rooftop tent is easier than ever with Super Pacific. Our durable tents and truck bed campers repel dirt and water, making cleaning a breeze. You’ll never use a traditional tent once you try our gear, so contact us today to get started!
