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All the canvas in SoulPad tents is treated to be water, UV and mould resistant to protect it from dirt, ultraviolet radiation and fungus. SoulPads can be used straight out of the bag, without any need for treatments prior to use. However, the treatments will not last forever. Your SoulPads lifespan will depend largely on how well you care for it.

Erection:
If your SoulPad has not been erected properly uneven forces can pull on the canvas and other components. This could eventually lead to damage. Be sure to follow the erection instructions carefully each time you erect your SoulPad. Replacement instructions can be printed off from the FAQ’s section of the website.

Zips:
Zips sometimes endure extreme tension caused by wind gusts, improper erections and adverse pressures caused by people or objects leaning against your SoulPad.

Close all zips before erecting or taking down your SoulPad.  Handle the zips with care. To protect the zips treat them with silicones once in a while. If a zip on your erected SoulPad seems strained, play with the tension on the guy ropes or adjust the positioning of the wall loops to find out which adjustment helps the zip to function better. Only when a SoulPad is erected incorrectly will the zips fail.

Leaks:
Cotton can sometimes let some air through and leak around the seams when new. After the canvas is wet this should no longer happen because water will cause the cotton to expand. Very light stains can appear on a wet SoulPad, this causes no problems.

Similarly, leaks can occur if the canvas is under too much tension when new.

Ultraviolet radiation can affect your SoulPad and its water resistant capabilities. When re-waterproofing your SoulPad, look for products that also include UV protection.

Storage:
The canvas (and indeed the rest of the tent: mudguards, groundsheet etc) must be dry before storing your SoulPad. Never keep your SoulPad stored away wet or damp for longer than two days otherwise fungus can affect the canvas which will create little black irremovable dots. The canvas has been impregnated with anti-fungal treatments but this will not be effective if your SoulPad is not stored dry.

Fungus:
When dealing with fungus use a soft brush or sponge and a lot of fresh water. Only use specialised tent cleaning products to remove difficult stains. Other domestic, chemical products can cause the canvas to breakdown and leak.

Cleaning:
If using your SoulPad frequently or for long periods of time, a cleaning and re-waterproofing treatment should be applied more frequently.

It is easy to spot when a SoulPad needs to be cleaned. However, we all have different standards so will leave that to your discretion! However, the sooner a dirty or stained spot is dealt with, the better.

It is advisable to use cleaning agents on your SoulPad first, then waterproofing agents. The other way around will cause the waterproofing agent to be washed away. If you ever spot clean an area of your SoulPad, always re-waterproof that area too. Whether it is a small area that is being treated, or the entire SoulPad, this is an important rule to follow.

It is in your interests to keep the canvas as clean as possible and remove stains when they first appear. Dust and dried mud is better wiped away with a soft brush before a cleaning agent (and then re-waterproofing agent) is applied.

Re-Waterproofing:
Spotting when it is time to re-waterproof can be tricky. A SoulPad that has enough waterproofing agent present will cause the water on the surface to ‘bead’ after a downpour. You will literally see beads of water forming on the outer surface of the canvas. When it is time to re-waterproof your SoulPad, you will notice that the water no longer beads, and that the SoulPad retains the moisture in the canvas for longer.

Repairs:
Inevitably accidents do happen and SoulPads get wounded in the process. The components used on SoulPad tents have been selected for their durability and ease of maintenance. You might be surprised by the level of repair you can achieve yourself. Small rips in the canvas can literally be stitched closed using a common needle and thread (use as fine a needle as you can bare, and try to match the cotton colour to the canvas). Larger rips and tears will need to be patched. Try to use the same canvas colour and type as the original SoulPad.

If you feel the repair is beyond your capabilities then your SoulPad can be taken to a professional Tent & Awning Repairer and fixed for a reasonable price. Feel free to contact SoulPad for details of external companies offering such a service in your area.

Lifespan:
The lifespan of your SoulPad is very dependent upon the camping conditions and the way you look after it. Air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, natural dirt (bird droppings, sand, salt and water) and domestic dirt (cooking stains, wine and sun cream) all limit the lifespan of your cotton canvas SoulPad, as will the level of care and maintenance that you choose to apply.

If you take care of your SoulPad, it will take care of you. Aaaaah!