Remedy for smelly tent

[eubie]

I got a nice tent at an estate sale (Eureka 5 man?) for $40. thought it was a great deal until I got it home, set it up, and smelled it. Smelled like sour-milk vomit. Tried soaking in vinegar, airing it out, etc. No luck.

Joe at Lewis and Clark suggested soaking it in ammonia, vinegar, and water. I got a trash can, cleaned it out, put in half gallon each ammonia and vinegar, then filled with water to cover the tent. I guess it soaked a couple of hours. Rinsed it in the can then set it up to dry.

So far, it seems to have done the trick. Just to help out, I mixed some biozyme odor eliminator and sprayed it on as well.

I'd read on several websites that the smell was due to deteriorating coating. Joe suggested and the previous owner confirmed that the tent had been put up wet.

Anyway, my $40 purchase is finally usable. To be stored in a mesh bag, always dry.