SoulPad 4000-lite
™
Instruction Manual.
Version 3, Published Dec 2014. © SoulPad Ltd. 2014
Page
16
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Fungus & Mildew
One of the most common problems to occur in canvas is mildew. This is easily preventable.
The onset of fungus or mildew is a sure sign that your SoulPad is past needing a treatment with a cleaner
and waterproofing agent, or that it has been stored incorrectly.
There are a number of reasons why mildew develops in canvas (exposure to dust and/or bacteria for
example). It is most commonly formed when exposed to certain conditions of humidity and temperature.
Even if the canvas is mildew resistant, mildew will form if left damp. The best way to dry your SoulPad tent is
for it to be fully pitched and allowed to dry naturally in fair weather. It should not be hung to dry as fungus
and mildew could form in the folds and creases of a hung SoulPad tent.
Mildew is very destructive to cotton fabrics as well as other materials. Mildew most commonly forms when
tents are stored damp. However, depending on the environment mildew can start while the tent is set up
also. under certain conditions of humidity and temperature
it’s on-set can be very fast indeed. If mildew has
started to grow, it can be stopped from spreading by thoroughly drying the tent (preferably in the hot sun)
and applying a cleaner, followed by the re-waterproofing of any areas cleaned.
When dealing with fungus use a soft brush or sponge and a lot of fresh water to remove as much as you can
and to stop the fungus from spreading. Only use specialised canvas tent cleaning products for this purpose.
Other domestic, chemical products can be too harsh and cause the canvas structure to breakdown and leak.
Be sure to air your tent from time-to-time. Condensation levels should be kept to a minimum by regular
airing. Open the windows and entrances regularly to allow air to circulate inside the tent too.
Keeping grass and weeds trimmed around the bottom of the tent is also important since dampness clings to
foliage and does not allow air to get to the fabric.
CLEANING YOUR SOULPAD
If using your SoulPad frequently or for long periods of time, a cleaning and re-proofing treatment should be
applied more frequently.
It is easy to spot when a SoulPad needs to be cleaned. However, we all have different standards and a
sloppy cleaning and maintenance regime will cause the SoulPad tent to deteriorate more quickly. The
sooner a dirty or stained spot is dealt with, the better. Left for too long and the problem may spread and lead
to other problems such as canvas disintegration whereby the material begins to ‘dissolve’ and disappear
completely.
It is advisable to first use a specialised cleaning agent on your SoulPad tent, then a specialised
waterproofing agent. The other way around will cause the waterproofing agent to be washed away. If you
ever spot clean an area of your SoulPad, always re-waterproof that area too. Whether it is a small area that
is being treated, or the entire SoulPad, this is an important rule to follow as failure to do so will lead to leaks.
It is in your interests to keep the canvas as clean as possible and remove stains when they first appear.
Dust and dried mud is better wiped away with a soft brush before a cleaning agent (and then re-
waterproofing agent) is applied.
