When tents are smelly, it can make for an uncomfortable camping experience. These shelters are meant to provide comfort and protection from the elements. However, when they possess odorous fumes, you may choose to sleep under the stars.
Fortunately, there remain several things that can be done to remove odors from tents, and prevent them from developing within the future. By following the the below suggestions, you can be assure that you tent will be smelling fresh and offer a pleasurable camping experience.
Smell Removal Solutions
1 Open & Air Out in Sun (Minor Mildew Odor)
The musty smell within a tent usually results from packing the tent within the bag while it is still moist from morning dew or rain. This results in mildew when the moisture is trapped and is unable to evaporate from within the confines of the tent’s bag. Once you get home, some of the musty odor can be eliminated by unpacking the tent, setting it up, and placing it within direct sunlight. In most cases involving minor mildew odors, an entire day within the sun will be enough to freshen the tent.
2 Hot Sponge Wipe (Mild Mildew Odor)
Take precaution in using harsh chemicals that can strip the waterproof sealant from the tent canvas. Often, using hot water in combination with open air and direct sunlight will be sufficient to remove the odor. Draw a bucket of warm water and apply a damp sponge to the interior and exterior surface of the tent. Provide sufficient time for the entire interior and exterior of the tent to dry before repacking the tent within it’s bag.
3 White Vinegar (Strong Mildew Odor)
This household compound is effective at cutting through mildew and rendering a tent odorless. Additionally, unlike harsher compounds like bleach and soap detergent, it will inflict a lesser impact on the waterproof sealant within the tent’s canvas. Mix a formula of one part white vinegar with six waters warm water and sponge down the interior and exterior of the pitched tent canvas. Leave tent setup until all moisture has evaporated before packing away within the tent’s bag.
4 Enzyme Cleaner (Strong Mildew Odor)
Similar to white vinegar, enzyme cleaning solution works well at killing mold spores without harming the waterproof sealant within the tent’s canvas. Pitch the tent, and mix a formula of enzyme cleaning solution and warm water in equal parts. Using a sponge wipe down the interior and exterior of the tent and leave tent setup until all of the moisture has air dried from the canvas.
Smell Prevention & Precautions
1 Dry Before Storing
Once you return from your trip, remove your tent from it’s bag and setup within direct sunlight on a clear day. As an added step you can use warm water to scrub down the inside and outside of the tent as outline above. Allow moisture to air dry from canvas before repacking tent and storing within a cold and dry location.
2 No Detergents
The use of detergent soaps and bleach will have the effect of leaving residues within the fabric that will not go away. It has the additional effect of the weakening the waterproof sealant within the canvas, and can lead to the tent’s inability to provide shelter from rain.
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Rinsing and shampooing a dog is often not enough to removal all dead animal odors from it’s fur. Before resorting to other solutions, try shampoo washing it a second time. Take note to wash with a dog shampoo as human ones can be harmful to their PH balance.
This household beverage works wonders doubling as a household deodorant. Brew 2-3 pots of coffee and pour within a large tub. For the dog’s comfort, chill coffee by adding ice within the tub and waiting for the coffee to drop in temperature. Wash dog within bath tub and cleanse it with it’s normal shampoo. After all of the fur has been washed pour coffee half of over the entire dog and rub the coffee within it’s fur. Repeat by pouring the remaining coffee over the dog and finish with a final shampoo to remove the coffee. The dog will be freshened with a subtle aroma of fresh brew coffee beans. As a note of caution, take preventative action in preventing the dog from drinking too much coffee. Dog’s can over dose on caffeine if the they consume huge quantities of caffeinated brew.
This solution can be messy, however it is very effective option. Open two large can of tomato juice and pour within a large bowl. Wash the dog within the bath tub with it’s normal shampoo, then pour the tomato juice contents over the entirety of the dog and rub within it’s fur. During this process prevent the dog from shaking this juice off, as it can create a mess within the bathroom. Finally, rinse the dog off and shampoo again to remove the smell of tomato juice.
Once cushions have been urinated on, you are in a race against time before the urine seep through within the cracks of the furniture. Once this happens, it will be increasingly difficult to remove the stench. If the cushion was not urinated on, move forward with the next step.
Begin blotting the area where the urine has soaked in with a dry towel. Be sure to use your full body weight while you press to ensure that you absorb all of the unwanted moisture from the padding.
You will want to dilute this substance within the padding. Continually pour water on the affected area, blotting it up shortly afterwards. After doing this 2-3 times, the furniture will be ready to receive an enzyme solution.
After watering the spot down, you can help remove much of the odor with baking soda. Open the lining of the cushion and pour baking soda over the spot within the padding. Then close the lining and leave the baking soda for 24-48 hours to absorb much of the odor.
The alcohol breaks down the carbon bonds within kerosene making it easier to remove from clothing. Mix one part rubbing alcohol with six parts water and submerge affected clothing within the substance.
The high concentrations of alcohol within vodka have the same effect as rubbering alcohol in combating kerosene. Mix a solution of vodka and water in equal parts, and placed clothing within mixture for one hour.
Similar to alcohol, ammonia can break through the carbon bonds within kerosene. Mix one part ammonia and ten parts water to dilute the substance. Dunk clothing within ammonia and leave it within mixture to for a minimum of an hour. Finally, place clothing within washing machine to run a detergent wash.
If it is foreseeable, make sure to pack blankets to place over the upholstery before getting busy. This will catch much of the fluids and steam produced during sex. Blankets can easily be washed, but a cars interior lining is not an easy task.
Keeping windows cracked during sex gives the odor a place to escape. If the windows are closed, it can pressurize and create a heightened off-putting odor within your automobile.
After the sexual deed is done, be sure to open the windows as soon as possible. Doing this will allow fresh air to sweep in and carry much of the musty odor out of the car.
Take any tissues or condoms that contain sexual fluids and place them in the trash outside the car as soon as possible. You do not want these substances to evaporate within the automobile, as they will cake the interior with a foul odor.
Baking soda can work wonders at absorbing unpleasant odors. If you can locate the spot where the majority of sex odor is coming from, sprinkle heavy amounts of baking soda over the location. Let the powder sit for 2-3 days, then return to vacuum the powder up.
Fill a spray bottle partially full with this party drink, and spray heavily throughout the interior of the automobile. Due to the alcohol content, the solution will evaporate quickly by leaving the windows open.
If one wash does not does not work, try washing your hair a second or third time. Often, it takes more than one rinse and repeat to remove evasive burnt odors from hair.
The chemical compound within baking soda works wonders in wiping out odors. Before entering the shower, create a homemade shampoo formula of water and baking soda in equal portions. Work this solution into hair during shower, rubbing extra into the spot that experiences burn.
This compound is used within a variety of household remedies, and can work well in combination with baking soda. Pour small amounts onto affected areas of hair while in the shower, and thoroughly rub into burnt follicles.
Lemon juice is effective in applying it’s acid compound to burnt odors within your hair. The citric acid strips the follicle of any residues and neutralizes unwanted odors.
This natural oil has a very strong smell that works in masking and then wiping out odors. After washing your hair with this solution, it will flatten and go away upon drying.
By placing your hair down, you can free up your locks for air to sweep off some of the odor. If some smell remains after trying other methods, you can leave your hair down for the day to wipe out the remaining odors.
The sun and fresh air combined are a deadly combination for any odor. Both UV rays and open spaces work to carry off unwelcome aromas from your hair.
This party drink can double as a deodorizing compound. The alcohol within vodka neutralizes odors as it soaks in and evaporates. To use, simply pour some vodka into you palm and work into the affected strands of your hair.
This product is a cornerstone solution for removing unpleasant smells from hair. Be sure to heavily spray down the location of the burn with Febreeze and air dry for best results.
Soak starfish within a mixture of baking soda and water for 48 hours. Once Starfish has fully absorbed mixture, much of the odor will be neutralized and it will be ready for drying.
Place in a solution of bleach and water for 24 hours. After a full day of soaking, much of the odor will be removed, leaving the starfish ready to dry.
Place starfish within a boiling pot of alcohol and water in equal parts. Let starfish sit for a minimum of another 60 minutes before removing to dry.
It is easy to forget to weigh down the corners during the drying process. However, when this is not performed it can have nasty consequences when the starfish legs begin curling up. Use small weights at the end of the arms to ensure that this does not happen.
A sure-fire alternative to weights is by pinning the starfish on a piece of cardboard. Place the starfish on top of the cardboard, and strategically place pins through the arms and into the below cardboard. This will ensure that no arm curling occurs so that the starfish maintains it’s original structure.
Many people seem to underestimate the foul stink of starfish during their drying process. For this reason it is very important to place them within high, hard-to-reach corners of the exterior of your house. Placing them atop the garage roof is a common spot as this location provides a dry, sunny, remote place for them to make their final transformation.
Our canine companions seem to love these sea dwelling echinoderms. The more that they smell, the greater the allure that they possess. While drying, take extra precaution to place the starfish in a location out of your dog’s reach. If your dog does get hold of it, it will smell twice as bad when he throws it back up.
The smaller the starfish, the less time it will take to remove odor. By only selecting small starfish, you will minimize the need for a long-lasting odor removal process.