Humidity is one of the most common problems campers run into when they pull their camping gear out of storage in the spring. Often it was slightly damp when it was packed away and those nasty little microbes had the whole winter to grow and prosper on your gear. There are some steps you can take to avoid this problem.
Spread everything out or hang it up for a sufficient amount of time to allow it to completely dry out. You can use the warm afternoon sun to speed this process up or a room in your home that isn’t used at the time. Make sure all the seams are good and dry before you fold it up for storage.
RVers sometimes use a dehumidifier to keep things dry. It’s another helpful preventative. If you do find mildew on your camping gear you can attempt to clean it up a few ways. Try a mild mix of bleach and water in a spray bottle. Then scrub the area with a stiff brush. Let it dry well through and check it to see if you got all the mold. If not, try another application.
You can pack your gear with commercial packets of absorbent material as well. This will draw in any moisture that has gone undetected by you. We hope all your camping trips are fun and memorable and you don’t have to spend time cleaning up your camping gear. Happy camping, we look forward to seeing you around the campground.