The recent glimpses of warm weather may have been a tease, but they were also a sign that winter is almost over. Every time we experience a warm, sunny day, we are reminded of two things: that soon, that will be the norm, and camping season is almost upon us. With that in mind, it’s time to talk about getting your tent ready for the new season. More specifically, airing it out before taking it out.

A big mistake new campers make is buying a new tent and taking it on the maiden trip without ever taking it out of the stuff sack. Not only does this prevent you from becoming familiar with your new equipment and ensuring all components are included, but it also means there is a good chance it will smell less than pleasant when you hit the campsite.

New tents are often treated with chemicals during manufacturing, treated with waterproofing and bug repellent, or stored in less-than-ideal conditions before sale. Each of these situations can leave the fabric smelling less than fresh.

The easiest way to rid your new tent of possible smells is to air it out.

• Choose a clean area in your yard, free of debris, and make sure the space is open to a gentle breeze for the best airing.

• Set up your tent and open all windows, doors and vents.

• Allow the tent to air out for 24 to 48 hours, checking after 24 hours for remaining odors.

• If you do not have a spot suitable for setting, you drape it over a clothesline and let it air for 48 hrs., flipping after 24 hrs. to ensure all surfaces are exposed.

• If the odor is still present after 48 hours, you may need to wash your tent before use (see directions below).

A musty or mildew smell in your tent is a sign it needs immediate cleaning. Some campers think that getting rid of a musty smell is more of a hassle than it is worth. They opt to buy a new tent instead. This is not completely accurate. How difficult the cleaning will be depends on the cause of the smell.

The musty smell can result from normal use (body odors, food remnants, etc.), improper storage or even deterioration of the waterproofing. Let’s look at some steps you can take to make the tent smell fresh again.

All tents should be aired out occasionally, especially after long storage or if you couldn’t open vents and windows during your last trip.

You will follow the steps above with one exception — turn the tent inside-out before hanging it outside. This will allow the most air exposure to the inside, which is the most likely source of the odor.

If airing out isn’t enough, it may be time to add a deodorizer. The safest way to do this is to set up the tent, open the vents, windows and doors, and place an open box of baking soda inside. This will generally work best if the odor source is not embedded in the fabric.

If the fabric is impregnated with the odor, you will need to use a deodorizing spray.

• Select a deodorizer intended for tents or waterproof materials.

• Make sure the product is designed to neutralize, not mask, odors.

• If you cannot find a tent-specific product, many scent removers used for hunting gear are also safe for use on tents.

• Never use a perfumed deodorizer. These only mask odors and will attract bugs on your next outing.

• Turn the tent inside-out and hang it on a clothesline.

• Test spray on a small corner. If there’s no reaction, apply it to the entire inside surface.

• Let dry. If the smell persists, reapply the deodorizer.

Proper storage is another important step in preventing a musty-smelling tent. As we said earlier, making sure your tent is completely dry before storage is the first step. Next, store it loosely. This means avoiding the stuff sack it probably came with. Although this makes for a convenient, compact carry case, it is less than ideal for storage since it limits air circulation. Finally, select a dry, cool area for storage.

•••

Tom Burrell is a retired Waterways Conservation Officer, veteran and lifelong outdoorsman. He now spends his days hunting, fishing and sharing his experiences with readers.