Rapid deployment shelters are a great choice for a variety of use cases, from accommodation to temporary warehouses and base camps. Given their versatility and usefulness, you will want to use them, in good conditions, for as long as possible. Keeping your shelter clean is very important for your comfort and for extending its life. This article will give you the main guidelines for cleaning your shelter, so you will enjoy it for as long as possible.
General considerations
As a general rule, a high-quality shelter should not require any special maintenance. There are, however, some general points that the user should consider for prolonging the life of the shelter and its accessories. These instructions apply to any type of shelter, regardless of its usage or the environment where it is deployed:
- Never pack the shelter when it is wet or even slightly damp! Mold can form quickly, especially in hot weather, and ruin your shelter. In addition, sleeping in a moldy shelter can cause serious health problems.
- Protect the shelter skin from sharp objects such as nails, sharp plastic splinters, small stones, etc.
- Position the shelter where you plan to set it up. Do not pull the shelter over the ground.
- Place the furniture at such a distance from the shelter skin that the shelter will never touch the objects inside the shelter, even when the shelter is moving strongly in strong winds. This will prevent cuts or holes in the fabric.
The shelter must be set up in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer to avoid damage to the fabric or frame. The shelter must always be inspected when set up but not used. If the shelters are set up but unoccupied, they should be inspected weekly in spring, summer, and autumn and daily in winter.
In the event of snow or sandstorms, the snow/sand must be removed from the roof to prevent blockages. This should be done even if the shelters have a snow/sand load of 100 kg/m². The distance poles must be checked to ensure that they do not come out of position. The ground flap should be dug into the ground if possible.
Cleaning procedure
Most modern shelters are made of sturdy, high density fabrics. This is the case with our shelters, which are built to be as robust and low maintenance as possible. The PVC-coated polyester fabric of the shelter skin and floor is waterproof and durable. Professional shelters usually make use of a fabric coated via a cadmium-free process and then lacquered on both sides. These products are designed to attract a minimum of dirt and be easy to clean, so that the user can benefit from a material that keeps its attractive appearance over a long period of time and is easy to maintain. At the same time, this doesn’t free the user of its responsibilities. Cleaning should be carried out with great care and attention.
Whenever the shelters are dismantled and transported back to their storage place, it is crucial to inspect them as soon as possible, to check for any wet shelter fabrics. If the fabric is wet, it must be washed and/or dried immediately as the fabric can easily become infected with mold.
Each shelter fabric should be checked for soiling. If the fabrics are dry and not too dirty, they can be cleaned by removing the dust with a vacuum cleaner and cleaning the surface with water and a cloth/brush.
Start by using a standard mild detergent soap. Clean all fabric parts with lukewarm, mild soapy water and a soft sponge. Always rinse completely with clean water and air dry. Please read and follow the fabric cleaning instructions provided by your shelter’s manufacturer if you cannot remove the dirt this way.
Depending on the degree of soiling of the shelters, it is advisable to have facilities for scrubbing large fabrics, external covers up to 646 ft2, and the possibility of drying them after cleaning. Wash basins can be used for inner linings, room dividers and inner cabins, provided they are large enough. The largest part will be approximately the same size as the largest external covering 646 ft2.
Equipment required:
- Pressure washer, if possible
- Water hoses
- Brushes
- Cleaning cloth
- Cleaning agent
- Water supply
If a high-pressure cleaner is used, the pressure must not be too high. Use maximum diffusion and keep about 40 in away from the fabric. We recommend that each cleaning team consists of 2-3 people, as some of the fabrics are quite heavy, especially when wet. If the fabrics are very dirty, they should be cleaned with a high-pressure cleaner or plenty of water, detergent and brush, and hung to dry after being thoroughly rinsed with clean water. No fabric should be dried in a tumble dryer to avoid shrinkage. Please note that all linings/covers and floor sheets must be clean and dry before storage.
Cleaning of shelters in the field needs to be carried out as follows: When erected, using water, detergent and a cloth, sponge, or brush, clean the shelter’s skin. The shelters should be cleaned by vacuuming to remove dust and surface cleaning with water and a cloth/brush. Difficult stains such as oil, tar, etc. can be removed with a petrol-soaked cloth. Wet fabric should be dried as soon as possible to prevent mold growth.
Mold removal
Mold growth on the fabric surface can be a health hazard. Ensure that you do not inhale mold spores by wearing protective clothing. In most cases, a solution of vinegar and water can be of use, but it will only remove the surface of the mold. It is recommended you start with a weak vinegar solution, as the vinegar will etch the surface of the PVC. If you are unable to remove the mold this way, try a more concentrated vinegar solution.
Generally, mold will penetrate the surface. If the mold stain is small and localized, it is possible to have the area replaced. Simple repairs can be carried out using the materials in the repair kit supplied with each shelter. For small tears in the PVC materials, use extra PVC fabric and glue.
Warning: If you have camouflage or any kind of print on your shelter skin, using a cleaning agent might cause damage to the print! Test the product in a small, hidden area before using it in a large area.
Conclusions
With the right setup, cleaning, and storage, you can enjoy your rapid deployment shelter for many years. Applying these suggestions will extend the shelter’s life and ensure a pleasant and safe environment for its occupants.
Looking for a long-life, robust shelter LANCO’s rapid deployment shelters are sturdy and durable, requiring little or no on-site maintenance. They are built to last by design. Contact us to learn more about our products and how your business can benefit from using them: https://www.lanco-usa.com/contact.
