Is It Safe to Sleep in a Moldy Tent? What Should Do?

A mold is a fungus. It’s not a weird species on this planet. It exists everywhere across the world. It grows well in a damp and dark environment and continues to spread through microorganisms that are borne by the air from one place to another. Mold can develop on different surfaces like fabric, drywall, wood materials, cardboard, paper products, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, insulation, plastic, etc. Besides, any other surfaces which are humid and dark are more susceptible to mold spreading over. It survives on organic materials.  

As today’s topic is on moldy tents, naturally my discussion will focus on it. If you are a frequent tent user on outdoor or indoor sites, this article is just right for you. If mold develops in your tent, automatically the basic aspects regarding sleeping safety, cleaning procedures of the tent, storage, health concerns, etc. are the key to discuss here. It would help you efficiently deal with the issue related to moldy tents. 

However, today’s article is designed to discuss on is it safe to sleep in a moldy tent. What should I do?  

Defining Mold

In simple words, mold is a fungus that adopts a multicellular form for its growth called hyphae while it can be grown from a single cell too called yeasts, as defined by Wikipedia. Mold releases a huge amount of air-borne microorganisms to continue its reproduction.

A wet and dark environment is the best breeding zone for the rapid growth of mold through multiplying its spores. These air-borne spores travel here and there and infect various kinds of objects including tents, food items, fabrics, plastics, and many others alike, etc.      

Various species of molds are grown with different colors including black, white, orange, yellow, gray, brown, etc. It looks like spots or patches and seems to be fuzzy. Also, you can feel the existence of mold by its moldy or soggy odor. 

However, if you detect any sign of molds in your tent by its appearance or odor, just check out along seams and in between flaps and take action to remove them through some standard mold removal procedures.  

Is it Safe to Sleep in a Moldy Tent?

The moldy tent is a fungus-infected tent. One of the common questions posed by tent users is whether sleeping in a moldy tent is safe or not. Does it pose a serious health concern among the people who use moldy tents to sleep?

The answer varies depending on the species of mold and the number of toxins it releases. Generally, moldy tents are not considered to be that much noxious with few exceptions. You can sleep in a moldy tent for a night or two unless you suffer from certain health conditions susceptible to allergies and diseases.  

Some species of molds like black mold tend to release toxins and harm human health. If you get exposed to such types of molds, you might have some allergic symptoms like nasal stuffiness, throat or eye inflammation, shortness of breath and skin irritation, etc. It may even cause you severe respiratory problems or other health problems if your immune system is compromised for certain health conditions and /or any chronic disease. 

For example, asthmatic patients are more susceptible to such kinds of respiratory issues including coughing, wheezing, and breathing problems while getting exposed to molds which could even be life-threatening. A recent study revealed that exposure to mold in childhood has a higher risk of having asthma.  

The general fact is mold is everywhere in the world as a part of the ecosystem and has been existing on the planet for centuries. Most of them are general kinds except a few species that could be extremely harmful to the human body. 

However, there are some preventive measures to resist mold growing in your tents. Secondly, you can also treat your tents to destroy molds by applying some cleaning and storing methods. 

What Should I Do if I Notice Mold Growing on My Tent

If you notice mold growing on your tent, you should immediately remove the tent and place it in a well-ventilated area outside. Make sure to scrub off any visible mold with a brush and warm water. Then, spray the tent with a mixture of one part bleach to five parts water and allow it to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it off. Hang the tent to dry in direct sunlight and make sure it is completely dry before storing it in a dry, air-tight container.

To Protect Me From the Health Risks Associated With Sleeping in a Moldy Tent

1. Check the tent for any signs of mold before you set it up. If you see any mold, discard the tent and purchase a new one.

2. Set up the tent in a dry area with good air circulation.

3. Make sure to keep the tent clean and free of moisture.

4. Keep windows and vents open while sleeping to help ensure proper airflow.

5. If possible, set up a tarp or other waterproof material to keep the tent dry.

6. Bring extra blankets and pillows to help absorb and trap moisture.

7. Keep food and drinks away from your tent; mold and mildew can grow on them.

8. Use a dehumidifier in the tent to reduce the humidity levels.

9. Make sure to store the tent properly when not in use to reduce the risk of mold growth.

Preventive Measures to Avoid Molds’ Development in Tent

There is a saying “Prevention is better than cure.” Therefore we first focus on preventive options to avoid developing mold in your tent. You can follow a few simple ways to prevent mold from your tents. 

• Routinely check out your tent whether there is any sign of molds. Cut out trees and grass near the tent to avoid developing mold. Also, clean off microbes and bird poop immediately if you notice any.   
• Dry your tent completely if it is wet before packing and storing it. If necessary, after getting home leave your tent in the air to dry completely. 
• When using a tent during winter, take care of your tent too often to avoid wetness when mold is more susceptible to growth due to exposure to snow or dew. Avoid a damp environment too while using or storing your tent. 
• Pack up your tent in completely dry condition and store it in a well-ventilated, cool, and dry place to prevent mold growth.   

Mold Removal Procedures at Campsite or Home

You should follow some standard cleaning procedures to effectively clean your tent to make it mold-free which would give you the best result in terms of longevity and a non-susceptible environment for the mold to develop further. Let’s go through some simple methods of cleaning.    

Method 1:

You have realized by this time how quickly mold can spread out in a moist and damp environment and how it can harm your health and environmental safety if timely actions are not taken to destroy them. The mold removal procedures are pretty easy to accomplish and would ensure the warranted lifespan of the tent.   

Below is a list of a few simple steps you can follow to remove mold from the tent.

• Unpack and set up your tent
• Gently scrub the tent with a sponge or microfiber towel and clean it with soft non-detergent and lukewarm water 
• Leave it in the air until it dries completely. Avoid direct sunlight for drying.
• Then, pack it to store at a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place.  

Method 2

You can also prepare a mix of lemon juice and salt to clean the mold. White vinegar also can be mixed with water to make a solution. Either solution you may apply on the moldy surface and scrub gently until the mold’s residues go off completely. After scrubbing, clean the tent with lukewarm water. Finally allow the tent to dry in the air completely.   

Remember, rougher detergent or cleaner may spoil the tent’s fabrics and hamper its durability. So, don’t pick such stuff to remove mold.  

Besides the above method, there are other standard procedures including home remedies and commercial cleaning stuff which you can try out if you can rely on them. In that case, you can contact professionals to help you remove mold. 

Method 3

At home, you can depend on Lysol to remove mold from your tent. Take a cup of Lysol and mix it with a gallon of warm water to prepare a cleaning solution. Then soak a sponge into the solution and scrub the mold area gently until the mold is completely removed.

After drying off, you can prefer a watery solution of non-chlorine bleach to apply to the mold’s pigment to remove them. After that, let it dry completely. 

Then store the tent in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place to ensure its long lifespan. 

Getting Rid of Musty Odors

To get rid of the musty odor of the tent, it’s recommended to submerge your tent into a tub of lukewarm water mixed with deodorizer and leave it to soak for 10-15 minutes. Make sure all the zippers and flaps are open to adequately soak with the solution. This solution is also effective to kill germs or spores which cause musty odors. This solution is available in chemical or paint stores. 

However, after getting soaked, leave it to air dry by keeping the tent hanging or setting up mode. Besides, you can use commercial fabric revivers available in the market in spray form.  

Maintain Safety Protocol

Maintain safety protocol by wearing face masks, hand gloves, eye shields, and protective nose gear to avoid associated health hazards. 

Final Words

I hope you find this article quite informative to appropriately deal with your moldy tent. You must take care of the basic aspects of your tent on a regular basis. Maintain all safety issues to avoid health hazards. Consult with professionals before getting cleaning materials from the market to ensure quality issues and the life span of your tent. 

Always keep in mind there is no end to learning. Keep yourself updated with current knowledge so that you can combat challenges while dealing with issues like mold. Get associated with professionals and experts in the related field through social media, websites, and other networks to be more knowledgeable over time. 

I would love to hear from you about your experience and if you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comment section. 

Relevant Resources:

• Choice Your Outdoor Storage Cabinets
• Camping Sleeping Bags: Things to Consider
• Consider These Pros and Cons of Sleeping in a Hammock