A friend of mine just picked up a 2000 dutchmen pop up the previous owner let it set up under trees in the woods and the canvas has a mold like substance inbedded in it she was wondering what would work best to remove the fungus without destroying the canvas thanks Tom
cleaning mold from canvas
- Thread starter tbart16
- Start date
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Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
A solution of bleach and water, perhaps coupled with a good detergent. All the commercial mold and mildew remover products have good old bleach as their basic ingredient anyway, so you may as well mix your own and save money. I would try about a 10% bleach solution first, but it is likely you will have to go stronger, maybe twice that or even more. Use a soft bristle brush to work it into the fabric.
If it is canvas and it takes a lot of scrubbing to get it clean, you may have to re-waterproof it afterwards. Canvas waterproofing products are available at most outdoor stores, some Walmarts, and some hardware stores. It's not hard - just wipe or spray it on.
More info on waterproofing:
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Waterproof-a-Canvas&id=87245
Here are some waterproofing products
http://www.rayandrain.com/Tents/tabid/296/List/1/CategoryID/2/Level/1/Default.aspx?SortField=EAN,ProductName
http://www.trek7.com/what-is-the-best-way-to/waterproof-fabric?gclid=COH50di2spsCFYaV7Qod3EotPg
If it is canvas and it takes a lot of scrubbing to get it clean, you may have to re-waterproof it afterwards. Canvas waterproofing products are available at most outdoor stores, some Walmarts, and some hardware stores. It's not hard - just wipe or spray it on.
More info on waterproofing:
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Waterproof-a-Canvas&id=87245
Here are some waterproofing products
http://www.rayandrain.com/Tents/tabid/296/List/1/CategoryID/2/Level/1/Default.aspx?SortField=EAN,ProductName
http://www.trek7.com/what-is-the-best-way-to/waterproof-fabric?gclid=COH50di2spsCFYaV7Qod3EotPg
They don't really use canvas anymore. At least Coleman doesn't. They use something called Evolution 3. Looks like a waffle pattern. Depending on age, the one you describe may be canvas.
I never use bleach on mine because I'm afraid it will deteriorate the thread in the seams. I've had the best luck with a mixture of Hydrogen peroxide and water (up to a 1/1 strength). I also add some pinesol or other cleaner in small quantities. A little CLR for unidentifiable stains.
Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it on. Wipe it off with a dry cloth (I like the micro fiber cloths). Use a bristle brush on the really difficult spots.
Mine is an older ('92) Coleman and still looks great.
I never use bleach on mine because I'm afraid it will deteriorate the thread in the seams. I've had the best luck with a mixture of Hydrogen peroxide and water (up to a 1/1 strength). I also add some pinesol or other cleaner in small quantities. A little CLR for unidentifiable stains.
Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it on. Wipe it off with a dry cloth (I like the micro fiber cloths). Use a bristle brush on the really difficult spots.
Mine is an older ('92) Coleman and still looks great.
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
Peroxide works too, though you will need to use more than with bleach. For real heavy stains, peroxide may need to be near full strength.
Most tent & PUP "canvas" these days is at least partially synthetic materials and some are all synthetic, usually an acrylic of some type. The threads should be synthetic too, but some lesser brands may have skimped a bit and used cotton thread.
Most tent & PUP "canvas" these days is at least partially synthetic materials and some are all synthetic, usually an acrylic of some type. The threads should be synthetic too, but some lesser brands may have skimped a bit and used cotton thread.
davemittan
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2009
- Posts
- 422
Hey guys - don't forget Oxi Clean! Just don't even think about mixing it with bleach.
Edit: there are many chemicals that should NOT be mixed with bleach - one of the worst is ammonia. You can have fatal breathing problems if you do that.
Edit: there are many chemicals that should NOT be mixed with bleach - one of the worst is ammonia. You can have fatal breathing problems if you do that.
