Cleaning Tent ends.

[Crashproof]

Hello all wondering the things you all use to safely clean Canvas on tent ends. I been lookin but have not been able to find anything. I want to clean but of course not cause it to leak. Thanks in advance, Kevin.

[Joseph_T1]

The best way to keep your canvass clean is to not let it get dirty in the first place. We bought some heat reflecting covers called Gizmos. They go on the tent ends and are held on with clips and bungee cords. Our trailer is now 4 years old but the tent ends look like they did when we bought it.

The added bonus is the Gizmos cut down heat, light and eliminate condensation.

[ajohn14]

Crashproof wrote:
Thanks for the replys folks, I am talking mainly about the Canvas on the tent ends. No mold or mildew just wanting to maintain it in a clean fashion. I usually wash my truck with Dawn dish detergent is that ok to use on the canvas with a soft sponge. Thanks, Kevin

Dawn dish washing liquid should be fine for the tent ends but I sure wouldn't use it on your vehicle, it will strip the wax off in just a couple of washings, always better to use a detergent made for washing you vehicle paint it's cheap and wont harm the paint.

[ranger234]

What Chuck said about soap and detergent. When we owned our pups with the sunbrella the literature said avoid the detergents and go with soap. They gave examples and we used Ivory Snow dry laundry soap. Did a good job and smelled great afterwards

[Crashproof]

drenjoey wrote:

Crashproof wrote:
I usually wash my truck with Dawn dish detergent

You must have soft hands Kevin.....had to say it! 🙂

Dre

Good one Dre. hehe. Thanks all for the replys this is such a cool forum and everyone is always so helpful. I will remember that and if I ever learn any of this stuff will be sure to try and help other newbies. Kevin.

[Chuck_S]

Like I said, Woolite (a soap) was recommended for the Sumbrella (canvas type fabric). I recall detergent was specifically a no-no. Only talking about the side panels, the roofs are all vinyl.

-- Chuck

[RandK-M]

If yours is the standard vinyl covered canvas like mine, Mr Clean Magic erasers work great for cleaning it. It also removed the black stuff on my white awning. And for the record, white is a bad color for an awning LOL.

Ray

[dadmomh]

We generally use the product we use for car washing - something like Turtle Wax car wash or similar. If you have some stubborn spots, suggest you don't use a Magic Eraser, but try a bit of Simple Green and rinse very thoroughly. We get a product at Dollar Tree, LA's Awesome - a yellow colored product in a nozzle bottle - it says to dilute it per...... DH, not always one to read instructions has used it full strength on the bad spots and they're gone. But he has the canvas wet, sprays this on, gives it a soft scrub with a sponge or towel and rinses very thoroughly. This is not a recommendation, mearly something has worked for us, so try an out-of-site spot before you get into this. We have never used the 303, but have heard wonderful reports. If you find the inside needs a bit of freshening, I use Woolite and then a towel to dry as much as possible. Be sure to leave the bunkend open until everything is completely dry - maybe a day or two.

If you normally use Dawn, I'd see no problem. If it's safe for baby ducks after an oil spill, it should be good for your bunkends.

[drenjoey]

Crashproof wrote:
I usually wash my truck with Dawn dish detergent

You must have soft hands Kevin.....had to say it! 🙂

Dre

[Crashproof]

Thanks for the replys folks, I am talking mainly about the Canvas on the tent ends. No mold or mildew just wanting to maintain it in a clean fashion. I usually wash my truck with Dawn dish detergent is that ok to use on the canvas with a soft sponge. Thanks, Kevin

[Chuck_S]

"Un-waterproofing" when cleaning depends on the material.

The Sunbrella sidewalls on our popup was cleaned with cold water and woolite and then re-treated with 303 protectorate.

100% vinyl tentage, like our Roo, is just cleaned with "car wash" like the rest of the camper.

-- Chuck

[bikendan]

your owner's manual should have a printout from the canvas manufacturer, with care and maintenance instructions.

it would help knowing what you're trying to clean: mold, mildew, stains?

by the way, cleaning will not "un-waterproof" the canvas.

[Padlin]

I've just used regular car wash.