Mold on Canvas

[rlower]

Hello!  I am wanting to use the 83 Viking Pop up that we used when I was a kid.  It has been stored for several years and I just opened it up to start cleaning and getting it ready.  There is mold on the inside canvas in the corners of the side bed areas.  Any ideas on how to clean that without ruining the repellancy of the canvas?

Thanks in advance!

[calstate360]

Hello! I am wanting to use the 83 Viking Pop up that we used when I was a kid. It has been stored for several years and I just opened it up to start cleaning and getting it ready. There is mold on the inside canvas in the corners of the side bed areas. Any ideas on how to clean that without ruining the repellancy of the canvas?
 Thanks in advance!

We use the Instagone in the Popup Times Store. Well worth the price.
Sal

[ReconMarine]

Does The Insta Gone Harm The Canvas ??

[flyfisherman]

There is mold on the inside canvas in the corners of the side bed areas.

You know, I've been on this board a few years and there were always questions and answers about mildew ... never have I seen anything, ever, about mold! Now I know mildew is caused by fungi, usually a discolored whitish sort of growth on the canvas. But mold (A fungus itself?), to me, is the stuff that grows on old bread, and the leather sheath that goes with my hunting knife, a sort of wooly growth. So you sort of stopped me in my tracks!(LOL) - Maybe you could describe this a little before I open my mouth and put my foot in it! Maybe there are one of the same; but will be more than happy to share with you my experience on removing mildew.

First off, my favorite cleaner for ANY part of the camper - canvas, vinyl, wood, exterior finish, whatever - is Murphy's Oil Soap. Has been cleaning my popup campers since 1996. However, when it comes to removing mildew, especially mildew that's been there for awhile, your gonna need something chlorinated, like Tilex,  X-14 or the likes. My Starcraft owner's manual says you can use a solution of 1/4 cup of Clorox per gallon of warm water. The first thing I do is clean the canvas with the Murphy's, rinse, then apply the chlorine cleaner or solution to the affected area. Agitate a little using a soft household srub brush and then rinse THROUGHLY. As my manual says, "failure to completely remove the bleaching compound by rinsing can cause thread deterioration".

On my present little Starcraft, I've cleaned both bunks ends of mildew at the end of each season, this coming fall will be the 5th, and it has not been necesary to retreat the canvas with waterproofing.

Hope this helps.


Fly

[Jim J]

Is the instagone ok to use on fabric?I bought some and it doesn't say anything about using it on fabric in the directions.Therefore I am a little reluctant to use it.

Jim

[Tufster]

Ww had a problem with mildew in our PU.
Called the dealer and they told us that all they have ever used is equal parts of water, bleach and vinegar.
We used this and it worked great.
We were concerned about using bleach so my wife bought fabric safe bleach.
Just apply itwith a spray bottle and wipe with a sponge and thats it.
Good luck.
Hope this helps.
Mike :canada: