Light Dome canopy funk

Hi All. I’ve developed a persistent brown “infection” on my canopy
top. I thought I had cleaned it off, but unfolding it two months
later revealed it was back worse than ever- and it stunk. I’ve been
cleaning it again, with less than full success.

The company suggested soaking it in a swimming pool, but I don’t
have access to one. Has anyone out there discovered an effective
funk-fighter? Thanks!

Allan Mason

Hi Allan,

Sounds like mold of some variety. Try bleach. (cut it 50/50 with
water.) (or maybe even 25/75)

FWIW
Brian

Alan I don’t know how big your canopy top is but my thoughts are
this. If you have been using this outside where it could collect
moisture and then storing it, the top might have developed mold.
OxyClean is the best product I have found to combat mold without
destroying fabric or fibres - spraying it on, sitting and rinsing
with a hose might prove fruitful. The person likely suggested a
swimming pool because of the chlorine content to combat mold.
Alternately a child’s wading pool might suffice to mix up some kind
of treatment or even just for rinsing. Good luck.

Barbara

The company suggested soaking it in a swimming pool, but I don't
have access to one. Has anyone out there discovered an effective
funk-fighter? Thanks! 

Swimming pools contain diluted chlorine bleach.

Bleach kills mold.

Paf Dvorak

If you ever saw my pool, you would know that even swimming pool
chlorine does not effectively kill molds. (and I have a pool service)
Stronger solutions of bleach will help, but it will be harsh on your
fabric. Of all things the best solution is distilled white vinegar
diluted 10 to 1 with distilled water. It is more effective than the
solutions sold as hand sanitizers, and counter top anti bacterial
cleaners. For mold it works better than most products. Next I would
check out flooring companies and their tile grout sealers. You would
need to dilute it so it would not stiffen your fabrics, but it has a
wonderful anti mold and mildew chemical in it that will repel further
infestations of the organisms. Stay away from the epoxy sealers, you
want the liquid solution version that would penetrate deep into the
grout. Again dilute it. Best advice is to not let moisture be folded
up in the fabric. Always dry it first especially in humid climates.

Another thing to do is save all those little packets and cubes in
various products that fight humidity in a product ie shoes. I even
get them in some of my prescriptions. You can put those inside your
fabric once it is dry to keep it dry.

Vinegar is great for killing mold and bacteria and it won’t harm the
fabric. I use it as a household cleaner.

I’m probably going to get yelled at for this, but the title of this
thread would make a great name for a band. :wink:

I have not used this product, but it seems to get good reviews in
the camping community - MiraZyme
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep80iy

Nancy Oatley
Nancy in Ann Arbor