How to remove LOTS of mould stains from canvas

Hi ?

In my experience mildew stains are virtually impossible to remove. Be very wary about using bleach - you may get rid of the stains but the canvas may follow suit before long. You might just have to re-arrange the furniture to hide the stains!

Cheers ,

Val

Try using white vinegar in a spray bottle. Best thing for removing mold in the house, maybe it will work on canvas.

You realy do have a hard row to hoe there.

there are a number of things that have been canvased ( canvased :) ) on both camping and boating sites, and others that have been arround for some time.

One thing for sure stay away from the bleach, it may do a cosmetic job of getting the marks out but...yep as people say it rots the fabric...even worse it does not kill the spores.

Some of the boating guys are swearing by fabric softner for getting mould off their stuff.

Lay it on thick, scrub, leave it for a while, scrub again and wash off well.

Never tried it myself.....but some of the boaties are raving about the results.

Back in the 80s, lots of people where swearing about preen for getting mould out of canvas.......Hmmm....I have my reservations.

In other areas the treatment of mould and sterilising stuff has changed from bleach to citric acid.......the citric tends to shift the mould, but more important it swings the PH mould and the spores don't like it......how the acid will go on the canvas.....well good question.

Going the other way, Bi carb soda ( sodium bicarbonate) or washing soda (sodium carbonate) are both common "cleaners"....both will swing the PH the other way.
either may be work a go.
Be carefull if there are any aluminium eyelets or zips.....not good.

DO NOT confuse either of the above with caustic soda, ver dangerous stiff and will rot ya tent while you watch.

Some are using citric then one of the sodas, one to neutralise the other.

Google some of the things I mention.......use at your own risk and test on something that does not matter.

BUT..you may find the stains are stains and bugger all will get them out.....ya realy want to make sure you do whatever you can to kill the spores from the mould or it will be back with a vengance.

A few days out in the sun and then put away well dry will go a long way with the spores.

cheers

Oil of cloves is what you need. Dilute with water (not sure of the ratio .... Google).
It will kill the spores. Spray on and leave for a while then clean.

Here's a start ....

http://www.oilofcloves.com.au/Oil-Of-Cloves-Mould?zenid=171fa8719b45df9aacf481af100aa0f7

i had my swag in the back on my ute for ages.
took it out for hunting trip, and was full of black mould..
i got angry at myself, as i spent 500 on this beauty, old girl wanted to throw it out..
shell be shot at dawn if she done that, even if she offered to buy me new one.

i got the mckenzie bicarb soda, and sugar soap, got the bath going with hot water and made a super strong solution..
soaked the swag in it for a few hours..??
this was the night before we left, we left the next day at like 530am to cobar..

soo with just the empty swag in the bath, i got a stiff brush and washed inside and outside..

it came up TRUMPS..
someones a happy camper..
only just had to get the gas heater in the lounge room cranking to dry that, and the sleeping bag out !!

it even softened up the canvas swag, ooh goody goody gum drops.

id use that mixture again tommorow.
easy on the hands, and cheap and easy stuff to buy, and always stocked in most peoples cupboards at home.

ooh the best thing was the stains gone too.

Shannon Lush, who writes books on how to clean everything, recommends that you make a strong salt solution (cooking salt) in a bucket of water and paint it onto the canvas with a broom, saturating it thoroughly. Then go away and let the tent dry out in the sun. When it has dried and is covered with salt crystals you then sweep them off and the mould should come off with it. After it is all off you then add a quarter teaspoon of clove oil to 1 litre of water in a spray bottle and spray all the areas to kill the mould spores so they don't grow back.
All commercial mould killers and bleach will rot the canvas and probably leave holes.
Hope you have some luck.
regards Glenda