Cleaning Mildew from Canvas

Cleaning mildew can be a difficult task, no matter what the material it grows on happens to be. Killing it is difficult enough, but removing the stains it causes can be a nightmare. It can be tempting to simply give up and accept mildew stains on any canvas item that spends a lot of time outdoors. However, you can minimize the hassle of removing mildew and stains by using the following instructions.

Step 1 - Drying the Canvas

While you might want to get started cleaning right away, it is important that you dry out the canvas first. Let the canvas air dry until there is no moisture left in it.

Step 2 - Preparing the Canvas

Before you can deeply clean the canvas to remove every trace of mold, mildew and associated stains, it is a good idea to remove any loose material that you can. This prevents the loose material from being rubbed into the canvas during the later stages, saving you a great deal of extra work. To begin, get out your stiff brush. You may use a specialized cleaning brush if you have one. However, if none are available and you are cleaning a small surface, a toothbrush will work perfectly well. Feel free to improvise solutions based on the size of the job and the things you have at hand.

Use your cleaning brush of choice to scrub away any mold, mildew, or other materials that are on the surface of your canvas. Once you are satisfied that you have removed everything that it is possible to remove with a brush, set it aside. Use your vacuum cleaner with a hand attachment—or alternatively a hand vacuum—to remove any dirty materials that may have come loose that are not easily visible.

Step 3 - Cleaning the Canvas

Next, you will have to kill any mold or mildew that has survived. The best way to do this is with rubbing alcohol and water, two ingredients that you should have no trouble getting. Mix the rubbing alcohol and water in equal amounts in a bucket or other small container. Next, wet a rag with the mixture and use the rag on the canvas. Rub it on thoroughly, as you might be able to remove some surface material that you missed with your brush in this way. Dampen the rag again and repeat if necessary, particularly if the mildewed area is very large. However, do not apply enough of the mixture that it drips or runs after being applied. Finally, rinse out all of the rubbing alcohol with cold water. Allow it to dry.

Step 4 - Finishing Up

From here, the way to proceed will change depending on what you are cleaning mildew from, in particular its size.

If you are cleaning a large object, such as a tent or awning, use water and laundry detergent to clean it, rinsing thoroughly when you are done. However, if the object is small, such as a shoe, you can simply put it in the washing machine to clean it that way.