Bongo Fury

Damp got in from zip gaurd being folded down and now have black mildew on roof canvas. How do I remove it without compromising the waterproofing...cheaply! Have looked on net and Lemon juice and salt or rubbing alcohol or white vinegar have been mentioned or non chlorine bleach. Has anyone had this and how did you deal with it? Hoping for advice before I go ahead and try. Thanks Bev.

Oddly enough I just did mine today because it was a nice dry day, "Astonish" mould and mildew remover from Poundland. Brilliant just squirted it on and wiped it off. Left the AFT up for a few hours for the smell to go ( it is chlorine bleach based) Job done for £1

If you use any bleach based remover it will, over time, rot the canvas. Proceed down this route with caution, and wash it off afterwards rather than just a quick wipe.

A solution of oil of cloves (available in Boots, other chemists are available) in a spray bottle liberally applied will kill the spores and your mould will be gone.

Doesn't rot the canvas and smells nicer than bleach too.

dave_aber wrote:If you use any bleach based remover it will, over time, rot the canvas. Proceed down this route with caution, and wash it off afterwards rather than just a quick wipe.

A solution of oil of cloves (available in Boots, other chemists are available) in a spray bottle liberally applied will kill the spores and your mould will be gone.

Doesn't rot the canvas and smells nicer than bleach too.

Agree about that, also about import ance of good ventilation and not inhaling fumes. I'd thought Astonish was a peroxide product, not chlorine, but the same rules apply anyway. I thought clove oil inhibited mould growth but didn't remove it, so that summat else was needed initially?

Last time I used it, the (mild) mould disappeared. Thus time, it was quite heavy with black spots. I treated it liberally last night, so I'll let you know.

Just been reading because I need to do this myself. Ordered some clove oil to try that out before the weekend. There's lots of threads on here talking about peroxide vs chlorine and the disadvantages of both, various products like Dettol, etc..., clove oil in solution, etc... I've also read of a strong salt water solution, paint it on and let it dry until it crusts, then brush off. Vinegar and bicarb often used to wash off *after* killing spores, however done.

Good luck - you're not alone!

We use clove oil. However I am beginning to wonder if applying it before winter might reduce it further

I've used Dettol mildew spray once a year for about the last five years and so far have had no damage to the roof tent. It works well but needs good ventilation

idetika wrote:I've used Dettol mildew spray once a year for about the last five years and so far have had no damage to the roof tent. It works well but needs good ventilation

That's reassuring to hear. Not leaving it on too long then washing it off/diluting with water is very important in order to minimise degradation of the fabric I think.

mikeonb4c wrote:

idetika wrote:I've used Dettol mildew spray once a year for about the last five years and so far have had no damage to the roof tent. It works well but needs good ventilation

That's reassuring to hear. Not leaving it on too long then washing it off/diluting with water is very important in order to minimise degradation of the fabric I think.

I should add that I've only left it on for a few minutes before wiping liberally with warm water

White distilled vinegar is what we have used this year it does seem to work and the smell soon goes away. Have tried clove oil dettol and others over the years. I think dettol is probably the most effective but think it damages the Mossi netting if you get it on that.

Autoglym soft top cleaner and protector kit worked well for me.

What proportion water/clove oil would you use in spray?
Assume you then leave for a few minutes and rinse off?

I've read 1/4tsp in 1 litre of water in a few places.

I've used 1/2 a bottle to 1/2 a litre spray bottle.

Gave it 1/2 a litre liberally applied on Monday night, left the roof closed so it could 'really get to work' and not evaporate. The balc spots have turned brown, some have disappeared.

This morning in the work car park I've given it another 1/2 litre with the other 1/2 bottle of clove oil, and left it open with the zips open. Hopefully by 5 it will be dry, and the spots will have gone.

Will keep you all posted.
DA