We recommend cleaning your cover by hosing it down as soon as it gets dirty to limit the risk of long term staining from bird droppings, tree sap and mould and algae etc. In addition to this, we recommend thoroughly cleaning your cover 1-2 times a year. However, do not jet wash, as this will destroy the thread and can damage the fabric.
It is crucial that you know exactly how to clean your canvasman product, so for more detailed information read our ‘How to Clean your Canvasman Cover’ page.
Textile products are not designed to handle adverse weather conditions. Therefore, we recommend that during strong winds, snow, and storms etc. you to take your cover down until the weather improves to avoid causing any damage to the cover.
It is very important that your cover is always correctly tensioned in order to stop water from pooling. This can be done by adjusting the framework or by tightening the tensioning straps. Once done, seams should, in most cases, sit in line with the framework.
Our shade sails, canopies & awnings can withstand the majority of British weather, except for snow loading, so if you cannot guarantee the shades will be kept clear of snow, we would recommend removing the shade sails for the winter period to avoid any damage.
Boat covers can withstand some snow loading but not a lot, as the weight of the snow on the cover could pull on the fixings and fittings. Therefore, it is crucial that the snow is fairly regularly dusted off with a small brush.
Moisture in the air from breathing, cooking, washing etc does not always escape. It can build up and cause damp and mould growth. Therefore, it is important to ventilate the cover to prevent this from happening. If damp does occur you can fold up the cover to allow air to circulate to prevent mould. However, if mould does occur the cover must be cleaned with IOSSO mould & mildew solution. Click the link for instructions on how to use this product.
Our high-quality upholstery fabrics are mainly water-resistant/repellent, not many are waterproof, avoid leaving the upholstery out in the rain to get sodden. If the foam is frequently left out to get wet without drying, this can lead to mould and mildew growth that can destroy your cushions over time.
A lot of our customers like to take advantage of our cleaning and repairs) service so they can feel secure their cover is receiving truly professional treatment. If you have a product that wasn’t manufactured by us but is made out of canvas material, our cleaning and repair services are still available to you.
If you need to fold panels, try to put in as few folds as possible (especially in the windows) as some fabric colours are susceptible to creasing. When unfolding covers allow them a bit of time to find their shape before fixing them into place, especially if the fabric is cold.
When rolling up door panels or whole side panels, roll them so the smooth part is on the outside and the gutter created by the roll is on the inside. To allow the water to run-off, and prevent it from getting into the rolls of the cover.
If your panel has windows and you up roll it up while it’s wet, then the window material can go misty. You would need to unroll the panel to dry ASAP, or within a couple of days latest.
If this happens and the window goes misty, it usually clears when dried out, but occasionally can leave a permanent mist.
Additionally, if the canvas is rolled or folded up while wet it can go mouldy if left. The MGC and other cotton or part cotton canvas, will not rot. However, they can still develop nasty mould that’s very difficult to clean (especially lighter colours).
Replace any missing or broken fittings ASAP to limit further damage to your cover occurring. Contact Canvasman for any replacement fittings.
All cleaning and reproofing products along with replacement fittings and tools are available from Canvasman. We also offer a cleaning and reproofing service, call us for a quote.