Hi, read a post where someone was talking about steam cleaning their canvas to kill off mould spores, we have a steam cleaner with all the various attachments, was wondering if this cleans dirty canvas as well? Any info would be much appreciated.
I believe that I may have been the person who originated the 'Steam Cleaning' post on the Conway Owners forum.
The use of steam was a last ditch attempt to rid a recurring brown furry mould that despite various attempts would always reappear some 3 weeks later.
Evidence of such a cycle and resistance to 'normal' applications concerned me on health grounds, as its origin and type were unknown to me
I gave the unit 3 x light steamings i.e. not leaving the steamer in one place longer than a second or two - it worked. There has not been a resurgence of this spore since.
The canvas did not appear cleaner.
There was no shrinkage of canvas.
The proofing remained intact surprisingly. Although I re-proofed anyway following cleaning.
As I have said this was a last ditch attempt to rid ourselves of the growth.
I would not recommend steam unless you have a lot of time on your hands and can keep the canvas erected until thoroughly dry. I would always try 'accepted methods' of cleaning canvas first.
I had nothing to lose and fortunately came out on top - £30.00 for a hand cleaner v £1000 for a new canvas.
I hope that this helps in some way.
The unit is a Conway Cardinal and the canvas is Cabanon, I don't know what effect such drastic action would have on other makes.
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Topic: Steam Cleaning Canvas
