How To Waterproof Your Swag? [Procedure & Precautions]
A swag, as designed for outdoor camping, is made from waterproof materials. However, when its canvases are stitched together, tiny holes are created along the seams that can cause water leakage inside the swag. Therefore, it is advisable to waterproof your swag.
Seasoning a swag might sound like a complicated process if you have never heard of it before. Don’t worry, it is quite straightforward and can be done easily at home. We brought you 3 effective ways to waterproof your swag at home:
How To Waterproof Your Swag?
Ironically, to waterproof your swag, you need to soak it in water. This may sound peculiar, but there is science behind it. When the swag is damp, the canvas slightly swells up, closing in the tiny gaps in the seams. This will be enough to seal the entire swag and make it waterproof.
There are several ways you can go about this, and all of them will yield equally good results. We found below three methods that are very effective in waterproofing swag:
- Apply water with brush
- Using garden hose
- Sacking
Waterproof Your Swag Using a Bucket of Water and Brush
The good old-fashioned method is to use a bucket of water and brush to douse the swag. This method drenches canvas through and through so that when the swag dries, all the holes are filled up.
This will completely seal the seams and prevent water from entering inside the swag.
Required Material:
- A bucket.
- Foam brush or towel.
- Seam sealer or wax (optional)
Step by Step Process:
1. Set up your swag
The first step is setting the swag correctly on the flat surface. Make use of the poles, ropes, pegs, and clips provided with the swag. You do not need to set up the pegs too tightly but tight enough to hold the shape of the swag.
Set up the swag in a place with direct sunlight, such as the garden, or somewhere with proper ventilation to decrease its drying time.
The swag should be completely symmetrical. If its shape is uneven, it will not dry properly and may make it challenging to set up later. Ensure that you remove the mattress from inside the swag.
2. Close all the zips
Zip all windows and doors of your swag to ensure that it does not get too soaked from the inside. Do not put the mattress inside it.
3. Pour water from a bucket.
Take a bucket of water and start pouring the water on the swag. In the first instance, the water will bead up and will not be absorbed by the canvas.
Continue pouring water until the swag starts to absorb water and is completely saturated with it. Use a damp towel or foam brush to wipe the canvas, particularly on the seams, to facilitate absorption.
As the canvas gets wet, it will expand slightly, filling in the gaps created during the stitching process and any other imperfection or minute holes in the canvas that may not be visible.
4. Leave the swag to dry
Once the swag is thoroughly wet, leave it to dry. A quick tip if your swag is set up in the backyard or garden: set the swag in a north-south direction so that both the sides of swag receive direct sunlight as the sun travels from east to west for efficient and quick drying.
5. Perform the process again
After the swag has dried up completely, again saturate it with water and leave it to dry. Redo this process at least two more times to create a firm seal around the seams to make the swag completely waterproof.
If leaks persist in some places even after repeating the process many times, use a seam sealer or wax to fix the problem.
Precautions:
- Do not store the swag unless completely dry to avoid insufficient seasoning.
- Do not store the swag in a place where direct sunlight falls.
Waterproof Swag Using a Garden Hose
Using a garden hose to sprinkle water on the swag will douse the swag efficiently so that it starts to expand. This expansion will force any tiny gaps around the seams to close.
These holes will remain close even after the swag dries, thereby, creating a robust water seal on your swag.
Required Material:
- Garden hose
- Spray bottle
- A tacky cloth or towel
- Seam sealer or wax (optional)
Step by Step Process:
1. Set up the swag
Start by setting the swag at a suitable location where you can drench it. Ensure that you follow the instructions correctly so that the swag is set up symmetrically because it will significantly affect the final result.
Since you will be using the garden hose to wet the swag later, make sure to set the swag outdoors, preferably in your backyard.
2. Wet the seams from inside
Utilize a spray bottle to spray water on the seams from inside the swag. You do not have to wet the entire inside of the swag but make sure that you are covering all the seams.
3. Zip the windows and doors
Once the seams are wet from the inside, close all the zips of the doors and windows of the swag.
4. Use the garden hose
This is the main step of the process. Set the garden hose to shower, mist, or whatever low setting it has, and start spraying water on the swag.
Initially, the water will bead up and fall off as the canvas is slightly waterproof. However, if you continue for a few minutes, eventually, it will begin to absorb water.
You can use a cloth or towel to wipe the canvas for more proper and even absorption of water, especially around the seams. When the swag is completely wet, you can put the garden hose away.
5. Let it dry
The canvas contracts only when the swag dries, allowing the filled-in gaps to be tight and firm to avoid future water penetration.
Hence, it is vital that you let the swag dry completely before using or storing it. How long it takes for the swag to dry depends on the size and conditions of the place.
6. Repeat the process
Once dry, restart the process by wetting the swag again. Usually, one needs to season the swag at least three times to completely seal it. Use the seam sealer or wax in the required places. After this, you can put the mattress back and pack it.
Precautions:
- Do not use the garden hose at high pressure to rush the process as it will damage the canvas.
- Only store the swag when it is bone dry. Otherwise, it will risk the growth of mold.
- Store the swag in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight.
Soaking The Swag Overnight to Make It Waterproof
Soaking the swag overnight allows the canvas to expand as much as it can and fill all the tiny holes. Later when it contracts on drying, the filled gaps become firm which creates a waterproof seal around the seams.
This particular method is hassle-free because you will not need to repeat the process several times to completely waterproof the swag.
Required Material:
- A tub of a suitable size
- Seam sealer or wax (optional)
Step by Step Process:
1. Prep the swag
Start by prepping the swag for soaking. Lay the swag flat on a surface and remove poles, clips, pegs, etc. Also, remove its mattress. Close all the zips of windows and doors and proceed to the next step.
2. Soak the swag in a tub
Take a tub big enough to fit the swag and fill it with water. Now put the swag in the tub. Gently push the swag inside water several times till it starts to absorb water and sinks to the bottom of the tub.
You can also perform this step in the bathtub of your home. Leave the swag in the tub for the entire night.
3. Drain the swag
The next day, drain as much excess water as possible from the swag before you set it up to dry.
4. Dry in the sun
Unwrap the swag and get all the necessary parts such as the pegs, clips, and poles to set it up in the sun. Set up the swag properly to ensure it dries up from all sides. Fill the remaining holes with seam sealer or wax. Once dry, it is ready to be a part of your camping gear.
Precautions:
- Do not add any detergent or cleaning chemicals to the water.
- Do not keep the swag in the sun once completely dry, or it may result in faded colors or UV damage.
Wrapping up
We hope that you find this post instructive and helpful. Swags are an essential part of camping gear.
If you have just bought a new swag and want to use it on an upcoming camping adventure, you must season or waterproof it first to get the most out of your camping pal.
Simply pick the method that sounds most convenient to you and get yourself a camping-ready waterproof swag that will provide you shelter even in rough weather.
