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How to Remove Rubber Odor in Tents

The temporary humble abode known as your tent is susceptible to picking up a few smells during a camping trip. Some natural smells are tolerable (pine and other floral scents, for example). Others, such as mildew or artificial rubber smells from camping equipment, need to be removed before your next trip to ensure a scent-free sleeping experience. Wash away unwanted rubber smells with a multipurpose salt-lemon juice solution capable of removing the most stubborn odors.

Things You'll Need

Concentrated lemon juice
1-gallon bucket
Salt
Sponge
Stirring spoon

Instructions

- 1
  Pitch your tent in your front yard or backyard. Place it in an area with direct sunlight. The salt-lemon solution needs to dry off quickly to prevent a stagnant smell.
- 2
  Fill a 1-gallon bucket with hot water and combine 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of concentrated lemon juice. Stir until all ingredients fully incorporate into the water.
- 3
  Scrub the outside of the tent with a sponge and the salt-lemon juice solution. Remove all dirt and other foreign material from the surface of the tent as you continue to clean.
- 4
  Step inside the tent and begin washing the interior and the floor with the salt-lemon juice solution. Again, remove all dirt clinging to the tent material. The rubber smell may have originated from an item introduced to the tent or, alternatively, a rubber-like material from the tent may have transferred the smell to other items.
- 5
  Sun dry the tent for several hours or until the tent is completely dry. Smell the tent to ensure the rubber smell has been completely removed. If not, apply another application of the salt-lemon juice solution.

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