There’s a very good reason why we wear clothes and sleep in tents or under tarps when we’re camping: to protect ourselves from nature.
As beautiful and majestic as it is, even the most hospitable parts of the world can be harsh environments.
If you’ve ever been sunburned, you know how damaging UV rays can be. And without the right gear, even a slight amount of rain and wind can be dangerous.
That’s why we have gear: to take the brunt of whatever nature is throwing at us.
Of course, that takes a toll on our gear, and even the most well-built tents and apparel can’t last forever, especially when it comes to waterproofing.
And did you know that UV rays can damage a tent beyond repair in only a month?
That’s why it’s essential to look after your gear, and properly cleaning and treating it is one of the best ways to do so.
This is how to protect your gear and keep it in excellent condition for years worth of adventures.
Step 1: Clean your gear
Just like salt and grit can corrode your car, dirt wears your gear down, weakening seams, causing mould, and damaging fabric.
Aside from that, there’s no point applying extra waterproofing if there’s a layer of dirt in the way.
So, the first step to protect your gear is to clean it.
Of course, the last thing anyone feels like doing once they’re home after a big adventure is methodically hand-cleaning all their gear.
However, it’s easy to do. For things like outer jackets, a quick wash with a technical detergent such as Grangers Performance Wash is good practice.
When it comes to tents, we’d always recommend drying them out to avoid any remaining condensation becoming mould.
Unless it’s particularly dirty after a trip, you can usually save cleaning it fully for another time.
We’d suggest giving your tent a good clean every change of season, or before storing it for a long time.
It’s simple to do. First, pitch your tent, and use a brush to scrub off any loose dirt.
Then, using a quality cleaning product like Fabsil’s Tent + Awning Cleaner, spray directly to the tent and work in with a clean sponge.
Then, just rinse it off and allow to dry completely, and your tent will be back to showroom condition and ready for re-proofing.
Step 2: Re-proof your gear
Almost all waterproof gear uses two layers of waterproofing to keep you dry.
There’s the fabric layer, which generally uses a porous laminate to provide waterproofing while also remaining as breathable as possible. This is what fabrics like GORE-TEX and eVent focus on.
However, while these can be excellent, there’s another layer which is just as, if not more, important.
You’ll often see it as DWR, which stands for Durable Water Repellent. This is the stuff that makes water bead and run off your jacket or tent, rather than soaking in and causing the fabric to ‘wet-out’ through saturation.
Most waterproof equipment has a layer of water repellent applied from the factory, however, it wears off over time, so it needs to be re-applied to keep your tent waterproof.
There’s a few options on the market, but one of the best options is Fabsil.
Engineered in the UK (and we know a thing or two about rain…) and with over 60 years of experience, Fabsil is one of the most trusted brands for waterproofing.
Fabsil Gold is a super-concentrate solution for when you’re serious about staying dry in the wettest conditions, and ideal for jackets.
There’s also the Universal Protector UV, which combines water repellency with UV protection, which is perfect for tents which are often pitched all day long, and thus exposed to a lot of sunlight.
Whichever product you choose, simply paint or spray it on, paying special attention to seams and areas which see the most abrasion.
Then let it dry completely (and as long as possible) before use, and that’s it.
Your gear will now be completely waterproof and ready for your next adventure, and many more to come.
Check out the Fabsil website for more cleaning and waterproofing tips
That’s how easy it is to keep your waterproof gear and tents in tip-top shape.
It’s worth doing, because not only does it allow your gear to work as it should and keep you dry, but a little bit of care will keep them in great condition for their entire lifespan, saving you money in the long run.
For more tips on how to keep your gear waterproof and in perfect condition, visit the Fabsil website by clicking here.