Tarpaulin Care and Maintenance
Tarpaulin maintenance and care |
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In order that it lives a long and useful life, it is important that you look after your tarpaulin. | |||
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As mentioned previously, it is important that you do not place unnecessary pressure on either the seams in the material or eyelets.
There are other precautions you can take in order to minimise the damage done to your tarpaulin. |
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You should avoid using your tarpaulin around sharp objects, such as tree branches, which could causeholes to form. | |||
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It may be advised to keep an eye on friction between your tarpaulin and the object it is covering, as this could cause the tarpaulin material to wear more quickly. | |||
Can you wash a tarpaulin? |
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There are several different theories regarding cleaning and washing tarpaulins. | |||
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Canvas tarpaulins can be particularly difficult to clean due to the fact that hot water can damage the wax coating.
This can also happen with water coming out of a hose at high pressure, detergent or bleach. |
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When cleaning a canvas tarpaulin, it is advisable to use a brush with soft bristles to avoid damaging the material.
There is also advice that suggests soaking a canvas tarpaulin and leaving it to dry again before actually using it. |
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This is because canvas can shrink slightly when wet (approximately 4%), so allowing it to dry before use means that the tarpaulin will not shrink whilst covering something. | |||
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Allowing it to dry properly will also shrink the holes around the stitching (at hems and seams), closing up areas where leaks may occur. | |||
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It is possible to buy cleaning products which may also help to protect your tarpaulin. Some provide protection from UV rays and other problems such as mould and fungal infections.
However, be aware that not all cleaning products will be appropriate for use on all tarpaulins. |
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