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Breaking Camp [Returning Home]  [Gear Storage Tips]   [How To Remove Mold and Mildew]   All good things sooner or later come to an end, and the same goes for camping. When it comes time to pack it up and head back to our other lives, consider these tips before departing:   stow your gear Use a whisk broom and/or rags to wipe off gear as you stow it; and, try to pack your gear as you had it when you came to the campground. Also, it's a good idea to separate dirty clothes, so that they will be ready to be washed when you arrive home.  PACKING YOUR TENT Here are a few things to make a habit of when packing the tents  Make sure all belongings are out of the pouches you may have for personal items. It's no fun unpacking the tent because someone can't find their watch  Sweep the tent floor clean. Carry a small cheap dust broom and dustpan.  If there is any dried mud splashed on the tent most of it will probably brush away too. Always stuff a tent back into its stuff-sack;  don't fold it. Creases from folds can weaken fabric fibers.  When it is folded to width the door should be at one end on the "strip". Then roll TOWARDS the door. Air will escape easily and the tent will roll nicely. Do not roll any tighter than necessary to get it into the supplied sack.   Always air out a tent before putting it away to prevent rotting and staining from mildew. If you must pack the tent wet get it dried as soon as possible. Try to avoid getting it too hot until it is dried.  In addition to mildew, I have heard of some coated fabrics sticking together after a steaming.     check the cooler Dispose of any food wastes, empty out excess water, and replenish the ice, as needed, for the trip home.   dowse the campfire Make sure the campfire is out; dowse the area with the excess water from your cooler or another source.  Remember,  "Only you can prevent forests fires!    GATHER ALL TRASH To state it simply, "leave no trace!"    police the area A broom and a leaf rake come in handy for grooming the campsite and gathering up the last of any litter.    one more potty break Before leaving, take advantage of this opportunity to take a final bathroom break and to wash up a bit.  final walk around One last check, walk around your vehicle and look around the campsite to see if anything was missed. say goodbyes Until next time . . .    Returning Home The ride home after a camping trip can be long, particularly when you have a hot shower and cozy bed waiting there for you. But, before relaxing, some final chores need to be done: unload gear First things first, unload your car, truck or camper and separate everything used on the camping trip.   empty the cooler Remove all food from your cooler and place it in the refrigerator, then rinse the cooler and allow to dry.   store food items Return all remaining foods to the pantry or cupboard.  wash the dishes Even if you did it at the campground before leaving, it's still a good sanitary practice to wash them again.   dispose of trash Gather up and dispose of any remaining trash.  Also a good time to whisk out the car or truck of any debris. do the laundry Before washing, shake out all your camping clothes and bedding,  especially the kids' clothing.   stow away the gear Shake out all your gear too. If any gear is wet, lay it out, or set it up to dry, before packing it for storage. Mildew is much easier to prevent than it is to remove.  Mold and mildew can be a problem for camping gear, but with a little prevention it can be avoided. 1. At camp, when gear gets wet, allow it to dry completely before packing up. 2. Air out your tents, sleeping bags, and bedding on a daily basis. 3. After the trip, be sure your camping gear is dry before stowing it away. 4. If your tent is wet, set it up at home to air out and dry in the sun. 5. Store your camping gear in a dry, ventilated area. Little Tip 1. After cleaning and drying it sometimes helps to use a fungicide spray on areas previously affected by mold. 2. Throw a sheet of Fabric Softener in your tents, sleeping bags, etc. before folding and rolling up and putting away! Click Here To Learn How To Remove Mode & Midew Camping should be stress free & fun!  Good preparation in advance can make the start of your trip a breeze. Store all your camp gear cleaned & in one common area. No matter how tired you are after a long trip, do not stick that kitchen storage box away in the garage.  You may discover soiled dishes  & "the mold from hell"  three months later when you go to use it again.  After every camp trip, bring the "mess box" into your kitchen at home. Over the next few days clean every dish, re-stock those goods: paper plates, towels, plastic forks, etc. Repack the entire kitchen mess box as if it is 'ready to go' again & then put it away. It will be a nice treat to easily access your goods the next time you wanna bolt out the door for a spontaneous camp trip. Large refillable 5-10 gallon water containers are available with a faucet type fitting. Store the container with the lid off & a rag in it. gear storage tips Before sitting down and reminiscing about the trip, the final chore of storing the camping gear still needs to be done. But first, if you haven't already done so, start a gear check list: make a check list Take inventory of your gear as your store it and note any broken gear that needs repair, missing items that need to be replenished or items that you wish you had.   high and dry Storing gear high helps keep it away from rodents and insects;  keeping it dry helps avoid mildew.   avoid freezing Any moisture in materials can cause damage from expansion when freezing; and some materials, even when dry, may crack in very cold temperatures.   food smells Rodents are attracted to the smell of food and can quickly ruin your gear chewing through it to look for food that is no longer there. To avoid these pests, be sure to air out or wash all gear that smells of food.   remove batteries To avoid any possibilities of corrosion, remove the batteries from any gadgets and store them separately.   where to next? Plans for your next camping destination begin with the check list, and with adding any new items that may further your enjoyment of the great outdoors. How To Remove Mold and Mildew Mildew, a dark residue left by mold, can leave a stubborn stain. If mold or mildew has invaded your tent, canvas or awning, you can easily remove it. 1. First, kill the mold.  2. Brush the mold and mildew from the material.  3. Wash the affected area with a solution made up of 1/2 cup Lysol to a gallon of hot water. 4. And/or rinse with a solution of 1 cup of lemon juice and 1 cup of salt to a gallon of hot water. 5. Allow the material to dry in the sun.  6. Next, bleach the mildew stain.  7. Wash or soak the affected area with one of the following, depending on the material.  8. For most fabrics, you can use a non-chlorine bleach.  9. For colored fabrics, use a solution of 1 cup of lemon juice and 1 cup of salt to a gallon of hot water. 10. For color safe fabrics, use a solution of 2 tablespoons of bleach to a quart of water.  11. Allow the bleached area to dry thoroughly. Tips:  1. Brush the materials outdoors so as not to leave mold spores in the house.  2. Be sure your camping gear is dry before stowing it away.  3. Store your camping gear in a dry, ventilated area.                 Simply clicking on the image above will open your default E-mail Writer and have a pre-determined subject line. You can simply send this E-mail with nothing to write and I will be alerted with the Page that has a broken link.  However it would be nice if some input from you of exactly which link is broke. Thank You!!!! Copyright © 2012 Jon's Images, Inc. All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ - By printing, downloading, or using  any info from this site, you agree to our full terms. Review the full terms by clicking here. Below is a summary of some of the terms. If you do not agree to the full terms, do not use the information. 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