Cleaning your outdoor Camping and Glamping fabrics
For many years OUTDOOR SEWING SOLUTIONS has repaired or refused to repair Awnings, tent and other covers that have been commercially cleaned.
Due to the heavy use of chemicals used in the cleaning process, we have people bringing in Awnings with rotting threads and brittle fabrics.
Commercial cleaning damage
MATERIALS
When too many chemicals or the wrong chemicals are used it turns the material very brittle and ages the fabric.
The fabric has the tendency to crack and tears from that point very easily.
The fabric seems to also rot earlier than one would want from a quality awning, tent or Glamping product.
THREADS
In the cleaning process, the threads just rot away quickly, far faster than the fabric its self.
REPAIRS
OSS will refuse to repair 1 out of 20 awnings due to the quality of the material.
Restitching is common for us to do if the material is still OK, but we do refuse to repair some items as we know it is very likely that the fabric around our repair is not in good condition and will possibly rip around the repair.
Canvas Cleaning for Caravan awning, tents and sails
Trees, birds, seaspray, car exhaust, mould and dogs are just some of the culprits for staining awnings, so as far as is practicable, protect your awning from trouble.
Cleaning services for canvas products is limited in the UK with many issues of damage and loss in the post items when people send their valuable camping items away for cleaning.
OUTDOOR SEWING SOLUTIONS recommendation is as follows.
- Erect your tent, Caravan awning or sail at home and with a hose and cloth clean off any dirt you may have on the awning.
- Clean with Iosso in a bath and drip dry over the bath
- Treat with Wet & Forget by spraying on with your Garden Sprayer
- Reproof if required with reproofing such as Grangers Fabsil. There are many options for sale at your local outdoor shop or on the Internet. OSS do not currently recommend one product.
Do not ever water jet your outdoor materials as this will only damage the materials and remove any waterproofing the materials might have.
Cleaning
Always wait until the canvas is dry before dealing with mud or dirt when it can usually be removed with a stiff brush. Stubborn marks can be tackled with plain water, but anything stronger should be avoided if possible. If too unsightly, try soap and water but never detergent. Any area touched by the soap solution will have to be reproofed.
Windows with water and wiped with a soft cloth to remove drips.
Reproofing
Small patches can be treated with an aerosol proofer and should be applied when the awning is dry and in a well-ventilated place. Note the proofer contains solvents which are highly flammable. For larger areas, it may be better to use a soft paintbrush. Ideal conditions are a warm, dry day, but avoid hot sun which will dry the proofer out too quickly. Do not forget to protect vinyl windows, mud walls, grass and tarmac while using products which contain spirit-based solvents. Do not pack the awning away until the solvent has completely dried out.
Cleaning, removes mould and mildew
Colour & fabric safe! Removes mould, mildew, algae stain, bird droppings, spider droppings, tannin (leaf) stain, tree sap, tough dirt, grease and oil, some food and drink stains, blood stains and more! Recommended for use on awnings, tents, boat covers, canvas, cushions, carpeting, umbrellas, camping gear, inflatables, fabrics, vinyl, plastic and fibreglass. It is non-chlorine, biodegradable and has no harmful vapours.
Just add water!
- Just put your fabric in the bath, agitate for some time and leave overnight for better results.
- Drip dry over the bath
- Erect outside to dry.
Anti Mould and Mildrew
This treatment will prevent Moss, Mould and mildew from coming back.
WARNING:
Your material may need reproofing after treatment with this product.
- Just use your garden sprayer and dilute as per instructions
- Treat prior to winter storage
- Treat at the start of the season.
Clean Outside Surfaces and Remove Moss with Original Wet and Forget Cleaners
Wet & Forget has a unique combination of biodegradable selective surfactants for Moss, Mould, Lichen and Algae removal on any exterior surface. When diluted with water and applied, it immediately attacks these unsightly contaminants.
Each time it rains, this safe, cleansing combination reactivates to help flush away the Moss, Mould, Lichen and Algae without scouring the surface it has infested. Wet & Forget is a safe and effective way of removing these contaminants from ANY exterior surface. Once applied the wind and the rain will gently takes the decomposing material away bit by bit until the surface is clean.
- Non-caustic.
- Non-acidic.
- No bleach.
- No pressure washing.
- No elbow grease.
- 5L concentrate makes 30L of product. No special equipment required just a good garden sprayer.
- Easy to maintain, reapply at the first sign of recontamination.
- UNLIMITED shelf life even when mixed with water.
Re sealing Fabric
Grangers have developed a range of products designed to care for all your outdoor gear
Granger's Advanced Mirrored Technologies mirror the performance of both the cleaning and proofing processes of the manufacturer's Durable Waterproof repellency (DWR) layer.
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Fabric breathability is maintained.
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Superb bonding of treatment to the fabric.
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The visual appearance of the garment is maintained.
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Our DWR finish will remain on the fabric even after many washes
