Bubbles and tents: yes or no?

[Blu]

I have always banned bubbles in and around the tent, as I am sure I was told that the detergent will affect the waterproofing.

A camping AIBU !

I don't allow them in the tent because they would get spilled everywhere but don't have a problem with them outside.

I've never heard that about waterproofing though

Yes I have heard that the detergent breaks down the waterproofing although this may depend on the type of tent material you have. However others in the campsite may not appreciate it either.

I would think bubbles would be very bad for canvas tents because of the
Surfactant / surface tension effect. Maybe. And all tent instructions warn against using anything other than water or specialist cleaning stuff, so I am cautious about a load of bubble mixture all over the outside,

Always a big no no as far as I'm concerned.

The Camping and Caravanning Club give a specific warning against it, just googled.

I had always just assumed, but not given it much thought. Then saw someone ( quite reasonably) advocating bubbles for distraction during pitching. It doesn't seem to be a well known piece of camping lore.

In my youth I ended up spending a couple of nights sleeping in the minibus after the waterproofing on the tent was ruined by a very enthusiastic game of bubble blowing.

I thought this was going to be about cava

Right: thesandwich has settled it! Hard evidence. I was worried I was being controlling and miserable.

NOW we can talk about how to keep prosecco cold, does champagne taste right out of a tin mug, etc etc

Definitely. If you brought bubbles to a campsite you'd be very unpopular indeed.

Many years ago but etched on my memory! Graingers seamseal anyone? Stick to pro secco !!

I've never allowed bubbles when camping for that reason. Never had champers in a tin mug either - I have some thick glass tumblers for my wine.

I camp a lot with the guides and scouts. I remember a rainbow guider giving her rainbows some pots of bubbles in the middle of a camping field. She got quite a telling off from one of the guide leaders for it. No bubbles near the tents!