Camping Gear Care and Storage

A tent packed away wet, a stove left with a damp burner, a knife left in a sheath over winter: that's how kit gets ruined. The end-of-trip routine below takes an hour and saves buying replacements.

Tents

• Dry it. Pitch it in the garden or hang it in the garage until every seam is bone dry. Never store a tent damp.
• Clean it. Brush off dirt and sponge with plain water. Avoid detergents, which strip the waterproof coating.
• Zips. Brush grit out of the teeth, then run a cotton bud with a little Ballistol along them and work the zip a few times. Keep oil off the fabric.
• Poles. Wipe aluminium pole sections and ferrules with a lightly oiled cloth to stop corrosion and stiff joints, especially after a coastal trip.
• Re-proof. When water stops beading on the flysheet, spray with Pluvonin waterproofing spray once it's clean and dry.

Metal kit

• Pegs and mallets: clean off mud and wipe with oil before bagging.
• Knives and multi-tools: clean, dry, a drop on the pivot and a film on the blade. More in knife care.
• Stoves: brush out the burner, let it dry and wipe the outside metal and any threaded fittings with a lightly oiled cloth. Keep oil off seals and away from the burner holes, and make sure the stove is cold and disconnected from the gas.
• Axes and saws: clean sap off with resin remover, then oil the blade and the wooden handle.

Boots and waterproofs

Clean and dry boots naturally, away from heaters, then condition the leather. See leather care. Wash waterproof jackets with a technical wash and re-proof them with Pluvonin.

Insect protection

For midges and ticks on summer trips, pack Stingfree insect repellent.

Storage

Store everything clean, dry and loose in a dry room. Keep tents in a breathable bag rather than their tight stuff sack, and leave sleeping bags uncompressed.