Cleaning Canvas

[Farley]

What is the best way to clean the canvas on portables. I have a otter mag lodge and I had it set up in the shed this fall and it tipped over on the dirt floor and now there is dirt on the canvas. I'm afraid if I try to scrub it out with soapy water it will just smear. What kind of cleaning solutions are there out there that lift the dirt out of the fabric enough to where I can wipe it off? Also is there some kind of teflon protectant or something that I can spray on the canvas to help protect it from fading and the elements?

I would have done this sooner but I didnt notice how dirty it actually was untill I had to stare at it for a couple hours Friday night. Oh, and I have access to a heated shop to do this in.

[Dakota Iceman]

Farley, I would like to see some more responses to your post but here is what i did. Took about 5 bucks in change and went to the laundry mat and used one of those big industrial size washers. then i put it in the big dryers. you wouldnt think so....but it worked like a champ....here is the hard part...getting it back onto the framework without it hitting the floor and getting dirty again putting it back on the frame was not a problem but its like once its clean......its a dirt magnet!!

[HarryG]

Farley, Dakota Iceman is CORRECT!!! I accidentally left minnows in my portable. The season ended and I forgot about them. Let me tell you, there is no worse smell than rotten minnows. The only way I could get the canvas clean was to wash it at the Laundromat. Just remember how you got it off. It goes on the exact opposite of what you may think. I think it would have helped if I could have marked it or drawn a diagram to help me remember. I would also not put it in the dryer as the heat may shorten the life of the canvas. Mine dried out just fine once I got it on.

Good Luck!!!

[psegriz]

I was just thinking that washing and drying it might do more damage than the dirt. I agree it's nice to have it clean and all but from my experience washing canvas just wears it out. I don't wash mine and believe me it shows.

[Phred52]

I had a REALLY old house that looked like a condemned building. Took it to the local car wash and set it up in the bay during the off hours and pressure washed it inside and out. Took it back home, set it up to dry, worked GREAT! As far as water proof, didn't notice any difference. Fished in it for four more years and just sold it last winter. Clean as a whistle! BTW, I did this in late summer/early fall (for dry air), pre season clean-up.