Many people know that they should properly care for their tent, but are unsure of what that means. The two most important things as far as adding things to your tent for maintenance are UV coatings and sealing seams.
Applying a UV coating to your tent isn't important if you use your tent once a year, but if you do regular camping with it you may want to consider it. Over prolonged exposure to UV Rays the chemical composition of your tent will begin to break down. The colors will fade and the material will become weaker. A little known fact is that even during cloudy days your tent can still be exposed to UV rays. By placing a UV coating over your tent you will prolong its life and keep it looking vibrant for years.
The main purpose for sealing the seams on your tent is to keep the water out. By keeping the water out of the seams you also reduce the chance of the tent not fully drying and developing mildew. On more expensive tents you may notice that the seams are doubled stitched and more water resistant than other seams, but they are still not water-proof.
In terms of advice it seems most experts recommend applying two layers of sealant. The idea is to set your tent up and apply the first coat of sealant. Let the sealer dry for a few hours and then come back and reseal your tent a second time. It is also important to remember your tent fly in addition to your tent.
Lastly, it is also a good idea to perform these procedures on an annual basis. This is particularly true if you use your tent more often.
