[beth&rich]

Does anybody have any recommendations re how best to clean a tent?

Its not especially muddy or anything (just the odd dead bug/ slight smear of mud), but it is quite an expensive tent and we don't want to attack it with any harsh chemicals that might damage the waterproofing. Also don't want to lose it to the MAF men!!

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Steadybears]

We brought our tent - did a big wash down with soapy water - had MAF check it out and it was all cleared. So dont think its that difficult.

Good luck

[Familyofmonkeys]

Why don't you contact MAF directly and ask for advice.....preferably get reply by e-mail and keep copy for when you do your MAF declaration. We brought 4 tents with us and it was no problem at all. All were wiped clean with soapy water and air dried in house. All had good hoover with brush attachment to remove any 'bits'. MAF advised us to thoroughly clean the tent pegs with jeyes fluid as they are most risky bit for dirt.

[Carey]

We emailed them and they've told us to steam clean everything, altho' we won't be doing the tent as surely it would melt?! Steam cleaners also pretty expensive to hire; we'd thought we'd be able to hire a pressure washer but apparently this is not sufficient now ( as said by MAF)

[marcia]

Quite a few people have brought tents through no problems. Make sure its all packed with the other items that want MAF inspections to keep your fees to a minimum.

Make sure theres no soil, grass seeds or dead insects and you should be fine. But be prepared to pay for fumigation should the MAF officer decide its not clean enough!

[JayBee]

We've done the same as the FamilyofMonkeys - vacuuming, soapy water, jeyes fluid for tent pegs, guyropes.

When we went on our recce we took hiking boots with us - once they had seen one of them was spotless - they didnt even check the others.

[beth&rich]

My OH went out a couple of months ahead of me on our recce and didn't realise that he needed to clean his walking boots. The men from MAF a the airport were not amused. :no

They threatened to confiscate them, but eventually were talked down and they let him off with a sharp warning after making him wash them. Phew!

[marcia]

I spent a whole day cleaning all our boots and shoes before the packers came, and got them to put them all in one box so it was easy for MAF to inspect - it wasn't even on the list of boxes they wanted to look at!

It may seem like a hassle sometimes, but what you have to remember is they are trying to protect the country you have chosen to live in, so grit your teeth and do the best you can! :)