Cleaning our blue canvas canopies

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Cascob

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Washing up liquid and warm water has been suggested as the best solution to clean these. Any other suggestions as we need to give them a really good clean this weekend?

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Last year, I followed advice I received here: put them in the bathtub, add diluted Dettol, let it soak for a while and scrub. After that, rinse and treat with a water repellent used for camping applications. It has been fantastic: really clean canvas, and NO algal growth at all. This winter I am going to do the same
 
Looking to do the same thing, do you have a recommendation for the approx dettol dilution percentage?

Also does it do any harm to the clear plastic (PVC?) windows or do you know if there is any recommended treatment for cleaning them?

Thanks
 
I used the Dettol concentration stated on the bottle - for general cleaning purposes. When I rinsed the covers, I did not really wash off all the Dettol, but left some of it in the material: you can smell the characteristic smell of disinfectant in the canvas. The PVC windows turned milky white... and this gave me a shock, I thought I had ruined them... but it was just a deposit that was very easy to remove with a cloth and a window cleaner type product (Windolene, if I recall correctly). As I said, I have been REALLY happy with the result on preventing algal growth.
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Non-bio washing liquid, sort of stuff for delicates, woolens etc. Very important to re-proof after drying to ensure stop water running through it. Product called Fabsil, which is a colourless waterprooder and its also supposed to stop fade caused by UV. Buy it from Chandlers.
 
That's great to know I was worried about the milky white bit on the windows but looking to prevent the algal growth, I think I'll also try the Renovo product as well to improve the windows.

Thanks, Dave
 
I've used brick sealant from the local builder's merchants to seal the canvas. About 1/3 the cost of Fabsil and apparently the same stuff. Not been to the boat for a few weeks so no idea how well its worked:-)

Cleaned the canopy in the bath by soaking and treading as if it were grapes.
 
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Cleaned the canopy in the bath by soaking and treading as if it were grapes.

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Hope you took your shoes and sox off first /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
30C warm wash and half amount powder in wash machine ... came up lovely.

3 yr ago - used Mould cleaner on sprayhood ... windows crazed and cracked about 6 months later. First spots appeared all over the windows and they spread till cracked.

Wash machine has done sail covers, dodgers, sprayhood and tiller cover. All great.

Haven't re-proofed - in fact probably wont.
 
To retain waterproofing, don't use detergent. I have always used old fashioned soap flakes e.g. "Granny's", a scrubbing brush and lot's of elbow grease. Works well.

Alternatively, a few years ago a local cover maker recommended Aquatech, Hamble, 01703 456121. They have a LARGE tub machine for washing covers. Haven't tried them and don't know whether they still exist.
 
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