UV Rays: Any nylon structure will suffer from UV rays if  allowed to remain erected for prolonged periods of  time. We strongly recommend NOT using your Kifaru shelter as a permanent structure.

Storage: The greatest harm to Tipi fabric is usually not from abuse or critters, it is improper storage. After your trip, make sure your Tipi is free of any moisture or organic materials - these can eat away at the fabric during storage. Air dry and store out of direct sunlight.

Washing: the agitation of machine washing can damage the UV coatings on outdoor fabrics. We recommend sponge bathing with Woolite (no bleach), and hanging to dry. (see related FAQ below*).

Seam Sealing:
1. Pitch the Tipi: for best results, pitch the tipi tight - this will allow the sealer to penetrate and waterproof the stretched seams, stitch holes and the thread, and allows more surface coverage so the next time your Tipi is pitched, the seam sealer won't crack or separate.
8 and 12 person tipis - we recommend pitching it  inside out to make the upper reaches easier to access.
2. Fabric & Sealant: The fabric should be clean and dry, however, this sealer claims to cure in wet or damp conditions. Cut off the tip of the tube between the 1st and 2nd cut indicators. This should leave enough of a bead of silicone sealant to spread over the thread, and seams that are joining the tent panels. If it doesn't produce a big enough bead, cut a
little more off.  With your finger, spread the sealant
over all sewn areas, seams, bartacks and holes. Don't forget to seal the cone!

Alternative, faster method:
Using a paper cup, mix sealant and mineral spirit (paint thinner) until you have a slurry about the thickness of molasses. Paint onto seams with a 1/2" inch paint brush. Again, don't forget every stitchline on the cone!

3. Curing:  leave the tent pitched until the sealant is not tacky.  The longer the better.  The sealant fully cures in 24
hours but dries tack free in about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Clean up hands and other areas with a dry paper towel.

Mildew
Q: I ordered your tipi and stove a couple of Christmases ago...thoroughly enjoy it and use it on every winter trip...but I had a little mishap occur when drying the tent off after a spring trip. I hung the tipi over a line to dry after washing it with a sponge (plus it was wet after a night in the rain). The part of the tipi in contact with the top silver material mildewed slightly before I noticed that the top was drying a lot slower than the rest of the tipi.

Is there anything I can do to remove the slight orange tinge from the 
damaged area of the tipi? I'll be leaving for another winter trip in about  2-3 weeks and was hoping there was something I could do before I left in pursuit of deep snow.
Thanks for your time, Robert

A. Good to hear from you, and happy to hear you are getting out a lot. And that the tipi is part of your winter outings.!!
  Try this for mildew: use vinegar on the spots.