Canvas - Cleaning Black Mold

[corkscrew]

I got some new canvas on interior cushions...one sat for a while in I assume damp conditions....It's got lots of little black mold spots on it. I washed 2-3 times normal washing machine......did not come out. I've tried bleaching it...still no luck. Any ideas?

[Vasco]

Bleach and sun or you could try Sun-Pacs.

[senormechanico]

We just got done removing mold spots (and old bird doo) from the top of our sail cover. We washed it a couple of times in the washing machine, then used a clorox bleach/water solution and a nylon medium stiffness brush. We then let it sit in the sun for about an hour before thoroughly rinsing it with cold water. It looks like new.

Steve B.

[Kefaa]

You did not mention color so beware of color removal...

As mentioned, you need a brush to brush off the mold first. Do this outside as you will get the spores airborne and that is never good for humans. (As you have cleaned the material this will accomplish little. )

Next you can mix up Milton Sterilising solution or a solution of borax and water. Brush that into the spots or soak them overnight. Then rinse and allow to dry in the sun. The UV of the sun is the important part (those with UV lamps, that works too).

Bleach will often work, but it is tough on fabric.

If that fails, you can try ordinary hydrogen peroxide and let it dry in the sun. This can be as bad a bleach on fabric so be careful.

[forsailbyowner]

Try totally awesome sold at dollar stores and elsewhere. One version contains bleach but I've had good results with the yellow stuff. Bleach is fine for acrylics, recommended by most manufacterers at one cup bleach per gallon water. Polyester thread will suffer worse than the fabric. Steve full time canvasworker