How to Get the Musty Smell Out of a Tent
Your tent or sleeping bag smells musty and mildewed because it got packed away before it fully dried, and mildew grows on the damp fabric in storage. Air it out, clean it right, dry it completely, and store it dry, and it clears.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why camping gear goes musty
Tents and sleeping bags get damp from rain, dew, or condensation, and packed away wet in a stuff sack they grow mildew, which soaks into the fabric. Mildew also degrades the waterproof coating and the fabric over time.
Stored in a basement or garage, it gets worse. Airing, cleaning, drying, and storing dry is what clears it.
How to fix it, step by step
- Set it up and air it out. Pitch the tent or hang the sleeping bag outside in the shade, since strong UV degrades fabric, and let it dry fully.
- Clean it. Spot-clean or hand-wash with a mild, technical-fabric-safe soap, not harsh detergent that strips coatings, and follow a sleeping bag's own wash instructions.
- Treat mildew. Wipe mildew spots with a mild solution or a technical-gear odor treatment made for tents, and avoid bleach on technical fabrics.
- Dry it completely. Dry the tent and bag thoroughly before storing, since this is the step that prevents the smell returning.
- Store it dry and loose. Store a sleeping bag uncompressed in a large breathable sack, not the stuff sack, and the tent dry and loosely packed somewhere dry.
Drying gear fully before packing is the whole fix. Mildew comes from packing it away damp, so complete drying, and loose dry storage, keeps it fresh.
Keep it from coming back
Always dry gear fully before packing it, and never store it damp or long-term compressed.
Keep it somewhere dry, and air it out before and after trips.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the musty gear handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your home, Just to Clarify fits well. It is clean and crisp, with bergamot, lemon, and green tea, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the musty smell out of a tent?
Pitch it and air it out in the shade, spot-clean with a technical-fabric-safe soap, treat mildew spots, and dry it completely before storing.
Why does my sleeping bag smell musty?
It was packed away damp and grew mildew. Air and wash it per its instructions, dry it fully, and store it uncompressed in a breathable sack.
Can I put a tent in the washing machine?
Usually not. Most tents should be hand-cleaned with a mild, fabric-safe soap, since machines and harsh detergents can damage the coatings.
How should I store camping gear?
Fully dry, somewhere dry, with sleeping bags stored loose in a large breathable sack rather than compressed in a stuff sack.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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