Packing up a wet tent or canopy: how to prevent mould on your camping gear

Rain vs. condensation

Autumn camping brings stunning fall colours, but also shorter days, frequent rain, and cooler temperatures. As a result, tent fabric dries much slower in the morning than in summer. What’s more, a soaking wet tent in autumn isn’t always caused by a rain shower. Moisture also builds up quickly on the inside of the fabric: condensation. This warm, humid air from your own breath and body comes into contact with the colder tent fabric, creating water droplets.

Rain mainly wets the outside, whereas condensation can also collect on the inside. Knowing the difference is useful, as ventilation helps fight condensation. So keep ventilation openings open as much as possible, even in poor weather, as long as you don’t let rain in.

Do you actually have a wet tent because of rain? Then packing up is all about keeping wet and dry items separate.

How to pack up a wet tent or awning at the campsite

If rain is pouring down on your departure day, you want to work quickly and methodically. Follow these four steps:

1. Pack dry items first
   Always work from the inside out. Store your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and dry clothes in waterproof bags (such as a dry bag) or sturdy plastic bags. Make sure these items are safely inside the car, caravan, or motorhome before you pitch down the tent.
2. Detach the inner tent
   With your type of tent, can you detach the inner tent while the outer flysheet is still standing? Do that first. That way, the sleeping compartment stays dry. Are the tent poles attached to the inner tent? Then you’ll need to improvise a bit more. Work quickly, keep the dry side protected as much as possible, and fold the inner tent with the wet exterior facing outwards. Above all, try to prevent the wet outer canvas from brushing against your sleeping bag or clothing.
3. Shake out the tent fabric well
   Whether you’re taking down a backpacking tent, family tent, or awning: remove as much water as possible first. Gently shake out the fabric and let puddles run off. A soft cloth can help remove large amounts of water.
   For large awnings or canopies, pay extra attention to horizontal sections, folds, and seams where water can accumulate. Lift the fabric carefully to let the water drain. Don’t pull hard on wet material, as the extra weight puts more strain on it.
4. Keep wet and clean parts separate
   A wet groundsheet is usually covered in mud and sand. Fold the groundsheet separately so the tent fabric doesn’t get dirty. Also pack pegs and tent poles in their own bags to prevent damage.

Can you roll up a wet cassette awning?

Are you at the campsite with a motorhome or caravan and autumn weather has soaked your cassette awning? You can safely roll up the awning wet to drive home.

However, moisture has nowhere to go inside a closed cassette. So as soon as you get home, roll the awning out fully again to let the fabric dry. If you leave a wet awning or tent rolled up for days, black mildew spots (‘weathering’) and musty odours will quickly develop. It can also damage the fabric’s water-repellent coating.

How soon should a wet tent or awning be hung out again?

Packing wet is fine; storing wet is not. Therefore, unpack wet camping gear as soon as possible after arriving home. Preferably do this within 24 hours, and within 48 hours at the latest.

Hang the tent or awning out in a dry, well-ventilated spot. A garage, attic, or under a patio cover is ideal. Never hang wet tent fabric directly over a hot heater or radiator, and don’t place it in direct sunlight. Rapid, extreme heat can cause the material to shrink or the protective coating to peel off.

Overview: packing and drying by material