How To Clean The Canvas On A Pop-Up Camper

If you want to keep the canvas of your pop-up camper in perfect condition then it’ll require some maintenance. And considering it is this canvas that keeps you safe from the elements, it’s something that you’ll definitely want to keep at its optimal condition. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking, after a nice relaxing holiday the last thing you want to be doing is spending hours cleaning a canvas. But don’t worry because it really doesn’t need to take all that long providing it’s done correctly. 

So if you want your canvas to survive the test of time and ensure that it works perfectly for each and every trip away, you’re definitely going to want to keep reading to learn all the best tips and tricks. 

Proper Pop-Up Canvas Maintenance 

Pop-up canvases really come in handy during your holiday, but to keep them working well, as mentioned above, you’ll need to upkeep the maintenance they require. During use or storage, they can become pretty grubby with dirt, debris, and mildew.

So they need to be cleaned regularly. However, there are a few things to think about before you even begin the cleaning process so let’s take a look at those now. 

Prevention Is The Best Cure

While we will definitely get to how to clean a dirty canvas, it is worth noting that there are ways to prevent it from becoming so dirty that it’s a problem. So you’ll want to ensure that you do the following: 

• Watch Where You Park Up – Try to avoid parking under places that are going to cause an unnecessary mess. Steer clear of parking underneath trees especially ones that are likely to drop messy fruit on your canvas, or leaves, pods, and the like. 
• Caution Before Rolling – Before you roll down your canvas for storage, ensure that it is clean and more importantly, that it is dry. 
• Look For Leaks – Always double-check for any leaks on the top of your canvas before storing or using.
• Waterproof – While some come pre-waterproofed, many do not. It is good practice to always treat your canvas with waterproof repellent. Just be sure to avoid any silicone-based products as they can break down the canvas material.  
• Repair – Before you get to cleaning, you should always check for any issues with your canvas. You’ll want to fix any rips, holes, or tears before you start cleaning it. 

Step-By-Step Guide To Cleaning Your Canvas

While you may think cleaning your canvas is a gigantic task, as you’ll see below it is actually super simple and actually doesn’t take that long at all to do. 

• Brush The Canvas – It’s likely that your canvas is covered in loose dirt and debris that you’ll want to get rid of. Doing so is pretty simple. All you have to do is brush off the loose dirt. 
• Get A Broom – You can then grab a broom to sweep away any lingering or stubborn dirt. Use multiple light brush strokes rather than fewer hard ones to ensure that you don’t damage the canvas. 
• Grab Your Washing Gear – You’re going to need a large bucket, a sponge (I use one similar for washing a car,) a soft scrubbing brush, and a hose. 
• Grab Your Canvas Cleaner – Following the directions on the label of your canvas cleaner you can then get gently scrubbing your canvas until it is clean.
• Let It Dry – You need to ensure that you let the canvas dry completely before putting the pop-up down and storing it. This is super important as it is likely to get moldy if it is stored while wet. 

Store-Bought Cleaners

There are plenty of store-bought cleaning products out there that will do the job perfectly. When purchasing yours, you want to ensure that it is biodegradable and double-check that it is safe for canvas.

Some cleaners could potentially bleach and discolor your canvas which is something that you want to try and avoid.

 I would recommend also checking that it is okay to use on aluminum, vinyl, chrome, and the like so that if it drips down onto the camper there is no damage.

When opting for an all-purpose cleaner, you should also look out for labels letting you know that they work for not only grime and dirt but mold and mildew too. 

My advice would be to opt for oxygen cleaners as I find them to be superior to most other cleaners. My best picks are below: 

• Oxiclean
• Clorox Oxy Magic
• White Wave
• Ajax Oxygen Bleach

Homemade Canvas Cleaner 

With a few items regularly found around the home, you could even make your own canvas cleaner. If you choose to make your own, just ensure that you steer clear of detergents as they can really damage your canvas.

Below you will find some of the best homemade canvas cleaners. 

Vinegar-Based Cleaner – You’ll need a gallon of warm water, a quart of vinegar, and just a few drops of non-detergant soap. All you need to do is mix your water and vinegar in a bucket and then add your soap, and voila, all done. 

Baking Soda Cleaner – Only two ingredients are needed for this simple canvas cleaner. Just a quart of warm water and one cup of baking soda. Mix them together until they form a paste and then rub over your canvas to rid it of dirt and grime. 

Final Thoughts

As you can see, cleaning your canvas is a very important job, but luckily it’s also a simple and super easy one too. So make sure that you don’t put it off – otherwise, you might ruin your next trip away and no one wants that. 

And all you need to do is brush away the dirt, give it a good scrub, and then leave it to dry before storing it away. It literally couldn’t be easier!

Whether you opt fo a store-bought cleaner or make an at-home mixture is up to you – just ensure that you check this job off your checklist!