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How to Clean Mold Out of a Pop up Camper

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How to Clean Mold Out of a Pop up Camper? Mold can be a nightmare for anyone, and it’s even worse when you have to clean it out of your popup camper. Cleaning mold from this type of camper is actually quite easy though. If you are not sure how to get rid of mold from a popup camper, then this article is for you!

A pop-up camper is one of the most comfortable pieces of camping equipment for a family. They are strong, highly compact, and easy to transport. If you live in a place that rains constantly, you may have mold building up in your camper after it gets damp inside.

How to Clean Mold Out of a Pop up Camper

You do not want to sleep under a damp canvas. The moisture creates the perfect environment for mold. We have offered some tips and instructions on how you can clean up the mold out of a popup camper easily.

Removing mold from the canvas

If you are having too much mold inside the camper, I would advise that you clean the entire camper. Start with the interior; the carpets, the hard floors, and the upholstery before moving onto the canvas. Most of the mold will undoubtedly settle on the canvas. This is where you should concentrate much of your cleaning efforts.

Before you resort to washing using a commercial cleaner, you should unfold the camper and let it dry in direct sunlight. The stains will still be there but the sunlight will help prevent the mold from spreading further. You can then use a stiff brush to scrub off the mold.

Use a mildew cleaner

You can use a special mildew cleaner that contains added agents that create some sort of shield that suppresses future mildew growth. Each cleaner comes with instructions on how to use it. This is a fairly popular way to clean mold out of a pop up camper.

Generally, you spray the mildew cleaner directly onto the affected area on the canvas and wait for a few minutes as the cleaner works on the stain. If the cleaner you chose is effective, you should see the mold disappearing. Rinse the area with fresh water and leave to dry. Try to avoid cleaners that contain strong bleaching agents because they might damage your canvas.

Use Vinegar as a homemade solution

If you are looking for a homemade solution to clean mold off your canvas, vinegar would be a great choice. Vinegar is widely used as a cleaning agent in our homes already. Just dilute it with water and spray directly on the mold stain, before wiping off and rinsing with fresh water.

Other homemade solutions include rubbing alcohol-water mixture on the stain. Tea tree oil also works well and it is a great choice for people seeking a chemical-free alternative.

How to prevent mold from forming on your camper

It is one thing to Clean Mold Out of a Pop up Camper, but better to prevent it! Although it is tough to prevent mold from forming on the canvas, you can take a few precautions to prevent this.

Check and plug all leaks on the canvas

Check to see if there are any leaks on the canvas. Mold forms when there is excess moisture. Check the seams that connect the canvas to the camper and ensure that there are no leaks. If there are leaks, take measures to seal them before they get out of control. Check all components (interior and exterior) of the camper to ensure that there are no leaks anywhere. If you find leaks, repair the areas immediately to avoid the formation of mildew.

Waterproof the canvas

If you decide to waterproof your canvas, you will be adding an extra protective layer to prevent mold and mildew from forming on the surface. Waterproofing also makes the canvas fabric last longer, thus giving you better service. You can take several simple steps to make sure your canvas is waterproof.

Repair any tears in the canvas

Before waterproofing the canvas, check to see if there are any tears on the fabric. If you find a tear, the best way to repair the canvas would be by sewing on another patch on the damaged part. Buy a patching kit, measure the torn area, and cut a piece of material that will cover this area adequately.

Spread the adhesive that comes with your patching kit generously over the affected area. Cover the area with the piece of patching material and wait for a few minutes for the adhesive to dry. Once fully dry, repeat the process for the outer part of the canvas.

Wash with soap and water

Wash the surface of the fabric with soap and water and then rinse. The purpose is to remove any dirt or mildew that may have formed on the surface before proceeding to waterproof. Leave the canvas to fully dry before you start working on it again so that the excess moisture gets eliminated.

Use a high-quality waterproofing agent

You will find many waterproofing products on the market. Go for one that has good reviews and one that will not spoil your canvas fabric. Spray the stained sections liberally and spread using a sponge or soft fabric. Make sure you have a consistent coating of the product on the canvas. Some people also prefer to use paint for waterproofing the canvas. If you decide to go this way, prime the area you want to paint and then use acrylic paint.

Seal the seams

Apply the sealer to seams in and around the canvas, both inside and outside. Broken or damaged seams could be avenues for leakages in the camper. Let the sealer dry before testing if it worked.

Test if the waterproofing worked

After the canvas has dried up, sprinkle some water on the surface of the canvas to test if the waterproofing worked. Go inside and check if there are any leaks (no matter how small) and rectify them accordingly.

How to prevent mold from occurring in the future

To reduce the possibility of mold forming in your pop-up camper in the future, you can take a few preventive steps. The main aim is to keep water and humidity away from the camper popup.

Keep your popup camper well ventilated

Good ventilation allows the condensation to dry out and prevent the mold from forming. This would work well if you are camping in areas that are not too humid.

Inspect your pipes regularly

Pipes can crack, allowing moisture and water to leak or get trapped inside the camper. If you check them regularly, you will notice when these cracks occur and repair them immediately.

Crazy Camping Girl