Getting rid of polyurethane smell from Sierra Designs tent fly?

[Ethan A.]

I have a Sierra Designs tent which I only use for car camping. The tent was always stored dry and never suffered any mold or mildew damage and also wasn't left for long periods in the sun to avoid UV damage. It just has a stronger polyurethane chemical smell than it used to. The tent is in excellent condition and I don't see any flaking of the PU material. Is this due to the aging of the PU coating, and is there anything that can be done to reduce the chemical odor? I tried airing it out for 5 days outside, and there's only a little improvement.

[Scott Jones]

Never store a tent, even if it is new and stored in a cool dry place in the original stuff sack. Store it like a down sleeping bag in a cotton storage sack. To remove the smell you purchase Myrazyme and wash the fly with the Myrazyme only. You can air dry it outside and voila, the smell will be gone.

[Ken Thompson]

As an aside EJ, how old is that tent?

I've never heard the suggestion to store one's tent in a cotton sack. Seems reasonable. That darn PU.

[Ross L]

I hang my PU Tents on a hanger in a closet. It seems to slow down the aging process of PU. I sure hate that smell, usually the beginning of the end of an otherwise serviceable piece of kit.

[Andy F]

I wonder if dusting the PU surfaces with baking soda and then moistening it and letting it stand for a day would help? I'm not even sure if baking soda is safe for PU though.

As a fringe thought, I wonder if the baking soda might neutralize some type of biological or chemical process which is generating some acidity and contributing to PU breakdown, and thus an increased odor?

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