Protect your tent with Nikwax aftercare
People welcome the warmer months when they can take off on mini-adventures and pitch up their tent to enjoy the great outdoors. However, without the appropriate care taken to look after your gear, it is all too easy to find after time that you are sleeping in a damp tent, or that the fabric has weakened and small tears could occur. Tents come in all shapes and sizes, and vary in price, but they are a key piece of equipment that you want to last for as long as possible. Most tents are made from synthetic fabrics, with a thin watertight coating on the inside and a durable water repellent (DWR) coating on the outside. This results in strength and water resistance, yet the item is also lightweight. However, the fabrics are vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) rays that weaken the fabric tear strength and diminish the water repellent finish. If a tent is subject to two weeks’ continuous exposure to the sun’s UV rays, the fabric can lose half of its strength. You also run the risk of the fabric absorbing water – resulting in a damp tent on the inside! All in all, if you do not care for your equipment, its lifespan will be significantly shortened.