Check out our article on retreating your canvas tent with a waterproofing spray for more tips.

How to Spot Clean a Canvas Tent

Cleaning a canvas tent takes patience, time, and a little elbow grease. Not all stains are created equally, and some cleaning solutions will compromise the life of your canvas. We recommend to always test your treatment approach on an inconspicuous and negligible area of your bell tent (the canvas tent bag is a good option). 

Step 1: Perform a quick “dry cleaning” of the canvas. 

Scrub as much of the dirty canvas with a soft bristle brush, a sponge and a dry rag to remove the initial surface debris that is present. Optional, hit the spot with a clean vacuum. The goal is to get as much of the area clean without needing to apply any solvents or scrubbing off pre-existing canvas protectants.

Step 2: Cross your fingers and scrub with soap and hot water. 

Fill a bucket with warm soapy water and repeat scrubbing with the same tools from step one (soft brush, sponge, and rag). Use a mild detergent or soap (think Seventh Generation, Ivory, Joy, Dawn, Woolite, or even baby shampoo). After a solid attempt, thoroughly rinse all of the soap off with clean water. Insight: soap residue is food for fungi growth – so rinse well. 

Step 3: Curse. 

Then take a deep breath.

Step 4: Try again.

Repeat steps 3 and 2.

Step 5: Let dry in the sun.

Smile. 

Congratulations if that worked! If not, remain calm and be patient - you had to try start there.

If that didn’t remove everything, then hop online and grab some Iosso Mold and Mildew & Stain Remover and apply it multiple times. We find it to the best bet to get out most tough organic strains, safely.

After scrubbing, we highly recommend applying some canvas guard to add back waterproofing. 303 Fabric Guard, non-toxic Dry Guy waterproofing spray, and Hawk Tools waterpoofer are 3 safe and effective products for protecting your canvas.

Removing Mold from a Canvas Tent

Honestly, this is a tough task. Try to be patient, as the cleaning process could take a couple of meticulous hours. Of note, we have not found a way to remove pink mold from canvas, so you should lower expectations this strand has taken hold.

You will find recommendations to use clean your canvas with a combination of 10% bleach and water to eliminate mold. Don’t. Bleach will weaken the canvas, and destroy the tent stitching, so only attempt this as a very last resort. Instead, we suggest the following steps to remove mold from your canvas tent. And if you need to get to the top of your tent to clean to - place a few of chairs inside before you remove the center pole.

1. Dry-scrub the area with a soft bristle brush or sponge

2. Kill the mold with a mixture of 1-part white vinegar (distilled) 3-parts water. Spray it on and let it dry. Let rinse thoroughly. 

3. Use Iosso Mold and Mildew & Stain Remover. This is our go-to product. It is gentle on canvas and has historically been the most reliable.
   
   Follow the on-pack instructions. Try spot cleaning with a hot-water mixture in a spray bottle, or create a solution in a bucket and apply with a sponge. Don’t be alarmed if all of the mold hasn’t been removed yet.

4. Let it dry in direct sunlight.

5. Apply another treatment and let dry. You may need to repeat this a third time.

6. Rinse and let dry.

After cleaning, we recommend applying a canvas treatment to add back a waterproofing solution.

Soaking Your Canvas Tent Clean

If your canvas tent is going to need more then a spot clean and is completely covered in mold, then you will want to soak your entire canvas tent for awhile in a safe cleaning solution. This process is a big (and heavy) job so be prepared to take 2-3 of days to complete it (between prep, soak time, rinsing, drying, and retreating the canvas).

Before you begin, you will need to acquire the right tools and watch the weather forecast for a stretch of dry, warm days.

Tools and Products to Gather:

• 55 gallon capacity container (such as a drum, trash can, a kiddie pool, etc)
• a 3 or 5 lb. container of Oxyclean
• Access to warm water with a hose attachment (hose from laundry room?)
• A sturdy stick (without sharp edges)
• Tent "drying rack" (i.e. saw horses, chairs, tables, ladders etc).
• Dry Guy or 303 Fabric Guard waterproofer
• 2 total people

Tent Cleaning Process:

1. Remove the floor from the tent and set aside (might as well clean it).
2. Fill container 1/4 to 1/3 full of warm water (the hotter the better).
3. Add about 3 lbs of Oxyclean & stir until dissolved.
4. Place canvas fabric inside of container.
5. Add more warm water until canvas is submerged.
6. Agitate ("stir") the canvas and water with a large (dull) stick.
7. Cover the container (optional to retain the heat and keep leaves out).
8. Let soak for 5-12 hours, periodically agitating the canvas and water with the stick/pole.
9. Pour out the water (oxyclean should be kind to the soil).
10. While still in the container, thoroughly rinse off the canvas, and out, the container. Rinse really well. Really well.
11. Inspect. If necessary, repeat the process a 2nd time.
12. Bring the container to chosen location and remove the canvas to allow it to dry - avoiding contact with dirt (laying a tarp down is wise to protect the canvas).
1. Carefully extend the canvas over sturdy support structures (note it will be heavy). If you extend it over a vehicle, make sure it is protected with a tarp.
2. Perform another light rinse if possible.
13. Allow the canvas to become 80%-90% dry (so a hot day is best).
14. Place the canvas on top of the tent floor and attach back to the canvas.
15. Erect the tent and let dry.
16. Apply a waterproofing treatment to add back waterproofing / UV protection.

Once completed, the tent should be in good shape (and smell clean). You will want ensure that interior is also getting good air circulation to ensure less humidity is being trapped inside while it is drying out.  Feel free to run on a fan inside to speed up the drying process.