How to Clean Your Hunting Blind

As an avid hunter, you already know that your hunting blind can mean the difference between an unrewarding hunt and a trophy kill. These convenient shelters help keep you well-camouflaged and safe from the elements so you can make the most of hunting season every year.

But the constant exposure to dirt, rain, wind, and snow can take a toll on hunting blinds throughout the season, which is why you need to know how to keep yours in great shape. In this guide, we’re going over how to clean your hunting blind so you can keep it in play for years to come.

Know Your Materials

The first thing you need to do when cleaning your hunting blind is pay attention to the materials used in the shelter. Since our high-quality blinds are made of easy-care materials such as structurally engineered aluminum, wood, and acrylic-coated flooring, you want to make sure you’re not using any cleaners or tools that could cause damage. 

For aluminum, you want to stick to using a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush, as anything too stiff could cause permanent scratches or abrasions. Choose a cleaner that’s gentle, eco-friendly, and scent-free. Anything too harsh or strong will scare off potential prey. Fact: Deer can smell you from at least a half-mile away, so try to keep the scents to a minimum if white-tails are your target. 

Routine Maintenance

Throughout the season, you want to make sure you do a bit of routine cleaning inside and out to help maintain your blind so it stays in great shape. Here’s how.

• Clean the Interior – If you’re like many hunters, your blind is stocked with some of the comforts of home, including deluxe hunting chairs and carpeting. But tracking in dirt and debris is pretty much a given throughout peak season, so make sure to spiff up the interior on occasion and sweep the floors routinely. If you have a carpeted blind, such as our Marksman 5X6 Deer Blind, you’ll want to haul out the battery-powered vacuum. Otherwise, keep a broom in the truck for the occasional sweep-out.

• Spot-Clean the Exterior – Throughout the season, you’ll find that the exterior of your blind will become soiled with the usual signs of nature, including bird droppings and mud splatter. Using warm water—for tougher causes, you can use a mild, unscented detergent—and a soft cloth, spot-clean to remove dirt on the exterior walls and windows.

• Remove Brush and Branches– Your blind will occasionally be hit with falling leaves and branches, especially if it has been a wet or windy season. Make sure to keep the roof and ledges free of brush and branches so that water and dirt don’t accumulate. 

End-of-Season Maintenance

If you plan to take your blind out of the woods at the end of the season or won’t be back for a few months, a deeper clean will be necessary to ensure that it stays clean while you’re away. Here’s how to do it.

• Deep Clean and Prepare the Interior – To ensure that your blind is ready to go at the start of the next season, you’re going to want to give the interior a deep clean and secure it so it’s safe from animal and human intruders.

• Thoroughly sweep or vacuum out the interior floors.
• Dust and wipe down the interior walls and windows using a mild, unscented detergent, warm water, and a soft cloth.
• Remove all interior items, including your hunting chair, weapons, personal items, clothes, sunglasses, coolers, and all food and drink.

• Deep Clean and Dry the Exterior – No matter if you plan to keep your shelter out year-round or take it in for the season, you want to deep-clean the exterior at least once a year, preferably at the end of hunting season.

• Remove all leaves, branches, and brush from the roof and ledges.
• If your blind is on an elevator, a ladder, hose, or sprayer will help.
• Use a mild detergent, warm water, and a soft cloth to wipe down the exterior walls and windows, erasing all mud and bird droppings.
• Allow your blind to dry completely before taking it down.
• Lock and secure all doors and windows.

Routine Cleaning for a Better Hunting Season

Proper cleaning at the end of hunting season means your blind will be good to go when it’s time to head back out again after a few months. And since a good maintenance schedule helps reduce likelihood of rust, water damage, and unwanted attention from rodents and other animals, cleaning can help keep your hunting blind in the game for the next many seasons, which means more impressive kills for your trophy shelf.

The post How to Clean Your Hunting Blind first appeared on Shadow Hunter Blinds.