A major part of fall cleaning involves outdoor living spaces. Deck and patio furniture need to be cleaned before they are stored for the winter. In a previous blog I provided tips on how to clean patio furniture cushions and today I am covering canvas.
Canvas covers a ton of outdoor furniture, from awnings to seat cushions. Fortunately, the durable material is fairly easy to clean. Some popular canvas cleaners can be purchased at discount retailers or patio furniture supply shops. Look for Tectron Foaming Nylon and Canvas Cleaner, Meguiar’s Canvas Cleaner or Starbrite Canvas Cleaner. The specially formulated products are designed to reduce dirt and mildew without compromising the integrity of the canvas.
While some canvas cushion covers can be removed and machine-washed using a gentle cycle and mild detergent, others cannot be removed. If your canvas cushion covers cannot be removed, then you must wash them by hand. If you don’t feel comfortable using the aforementioned canvas cleaning products, then consider using something more natural.
For example, you can clean canvas cushions by getting a medium-bristle scrub brush and rubbing it across a bar of Fels-Naptha soap, then gently rub the brush back and forth on the canvas. You don’t have to be too gentle. Make sure your strokes are hard enough to lather the soap once it comes into contact with the canvas cushion cover. Fels-Naptha soap works well on canvas and is highly recommended to remove bird droppings and other protein-based stains. Just remember to rinse the cushions with clean water after applying the soap.
Another way to cut down on cleaning canvas is to spend more time on preventative care. For example, consider spraying canvas cushions with a fabric protector, such as Scotch Guard, prior to using them. Doing so will help protect them from the elements and make them easier to clean in the future.