Four Ways to Make Your Tent Fabric Material Last Longer

You’ve made an investment, and your business is dependent on the fabrics that make up your tent products and services. Now, the goal is to make your tent fabric material last as long as possible.

Remember, tent fabrics are not your standard, run of the mill, textiles. These fabrics are specially made for the outdoors and are used in show tents, shade structures, and party tents. You’ll see these at amusement parks, corporate events, and weddings. The fabric of these tents are made from a variety of specialty textiles including but not limited to:

• PVC
• Polyester
• Rayon
• Nylon
• And more…

Tent fabrics are also treated with special coatings to make them water resistant, stain and mildew resistant, ultraviolet (UV) ray resistant, and fire retardant. In order to keep the coatings in tact, and the material clean and durable, you will have to care for your tent by doing more than just brushing off dirt from time to time. In fact, there are four things you can do to help make your tent fabric material last longer:

1. Inspect Your Tent Regularly: Don’t just use your tent and throw it back into storage. First, check it for tears, rips, stains, or damages that might destroy the integrity of the tent’s fabric. It’s best to look at your tent from both the inside and the outside. Look for holes or seams that are broken or coming undone, and work to repair them immediately. This will help you keep your tent in shape and in use for a longer period of time.
2. Clean Your Tent: Wash it with water, a soft sponge, and a non-detergent soap. Remember, you can also ask your tent fabric supplier or manufacturer about cleaning products safe for the material. They can recommend the right spray for your fabric.  
3. Stay Up-to-Date with the Latest Tent Fabric Innovations: Remember, there are resources for you to utilize when it comes to understanding tent fabrics. You can go to InTentsMag.com for the latest news and updates on the tent fabric industry. There is plenty of information on new and innovative fabrics, higher quality tents, and more.
4. Store your Tent Properly: Once you are done using your ten, remember to store it correctly. This is just as important as cleaning it properly. When you store your tent, you want to make sure that the area is completely dry. Also, if you store your tent in a bag or covering, you want to ensure the covering is moisture-free. Damp storage spaces can catalyze mold or mildew growth in the fabric. Make sure there is no debris, dirt, or objects that can tear, rip, or damage your tent in the storage are. You would be surprised how frequently tent structures get damaged in storage.

Following the list above can really help you get some longevity out of your tent. But there are a number of other things you can do to make your tent fabric material last longer. You can use UV ray resistant sprays (only those approved by the fabric supplier) on your tent to protect it from sun damage. It is also suggested that you set up your tent only in areas where there are no trees, branches or sharp objects that can scratch, penetrate or tear the fabric. Check the anchors of your tent while it is set up. Remember, during rough and turbulent winds, tents often shift and lift slightly from their original placement. When this happens, the stakes can easily move. Make sure the anchors are still set tightly so that the tension in the tent structure is strong.

Keep in mind that while tent structures are designed to withstand outdoor conditions, you have to do your part in protecting your investment and inspect, clean, and take care of it regularly. This means your employees should be properly trained on how to take care of, store, clean and disassemble your tent structures, as well. Consider publishing a guide sheet for employees to use to help ensure the right processes are being followed. Post a series of visual cards that depict proper setting up, taking down and storing practices in your trucks and warehouses. After all, human error can cause just as much damage to a tent as inclement weather can.

The tips given above apply to tent and shade structures used in weddings, parties, the military, amusement parks and more.

Remember, your tent fabric is not your typical cotton or linen based textile. Fabrics used in tents are made from specially created textiles that are designed for the outdoors. However, it’s up to you to care for your tent structure and make it last. For more tips and advice on making your tent fabric material last longer, consult your manufacturer or textile supplier.

Making your tent fabric material last longer by taking proper care and storage steps is critical. But what makes for a quality tent fabric material? Our free Five Factors to Consider When Buying Tent Fabric Material guide has the answers.