As with any investment, you want to get the most out of your tent. You want it to last, and pay for itself many times over. At American Tent, we’re here to help you safely store and protect your tent so that it looks great for years to come. We encourage you to share this and make sure everyone on your team is properly trained on how to store your tent and sidewalls, how to store tent poles, and storing your tent for winter. The time you take now to learn these techniques will pay dividends later and you’ll be able to enjoy many more years of good canopy health.
How to Store a Tent
The first step on the way to storing your tent properly is disassembling it. The setup and takedown process can make or break a tent - literally. The best way to protect against snags or rips? American Tent’s heavy-duty drop cloth. Lay the drop cloth down on the ground to protect your tent from grass stains, sticks, or other debris that can leave your tent looking worn and dirty.
What you’ll need to prepare your tent for storage:
- American Tent drop cloth
- Protective vinyl canopy covering
- Tent cleaner
- A safe and dry storage space
Canvas Storage
When you get your tent, you’ll notice that it is wrapped in a protective vinyl covering and sealed closed to keep the canopy in top-tier condition. Make sure you keep it! This cover will come in handy when you store your tent because it will provide a safety layer between the canopy and the outside environment.
Before putting your canopy in the protective wrap, make sure it’s squeaky clean. Use American Tent’s Keep It Clean Tent Cleaner or our Break the Mold: Mold and Mildew Cleaner. If you do not have either of these products we recommend purchasing them; however, spraying the tent with a hose and rinsing with mild soap and water will do the trick if you’re in a pinch.
The steps are as follows:
- Lay down your drop cloth for tent take-down
- Clean canopy with tent cleaner or mild soap
- Let dry completely
- Wrap canvas back up in the protective vinyl cover it came in
- Store in a dry location at a constant temperature
Sidewalls Storage
You should still try to use your drop cloth for the sidewalls, although it is slightly less important than the tent top (rain isn’t going to get in through a small sidewall tear as easily as it would the tent top), but it’s still important nonetheless.
Simply roll up your sidewalls like you would a sleeping bag--this is the safest way to store them and prevent damage.
Poles and Frame Tent Storage
Keeping your poles in great condition is vital to keeping a sound structured tent - after all, the poles are responsible for holding up the weight of the canopy. The main thing to do is just to handle them with care.
- Disassemble tent and remove poles
- Spray the poles with a hose to make sure they are clean
- Dry completely before putting them away
- Stack poles on top of one another- be careful not to clang or scrape them together
Use common sense, and treat the poles with respect.
Party Tent Storage in Winter
Keep your tent comfortable! Beware of extreme weather conditions: too hot and humid and your tent could slightly weaken, too cold and your tent could crack. Now, you don’t need to be tucking your canopy into a nice cozy bed every night but do take care. Keep tents stored in a safe and dry, sheltered location--ideally with a consistently neutral temperature (above freezing) to reduce the risk of cracking due to frigid temps.
Save Your Tent, Save Your Money
As much as we love our repeat customers here at American Tent, we never want to see you having to replace your tent because of avoidable damage. Don’t forget to use a dropcloth, store your tent in the protective covering provided, keep it clean, and keep it from exposure to extreme temperatures. As for poles, remember they are part of your investment as well, and no one likes scratched-up tent poles. Store them as respectfully as you would the canvas. Follow our tips and treat your tent like the superstar it is to keep your investment looking sharp year after year.
