It is important to clean a yurt canvas because it will protect the fabric from environmental factors, such as UV rays and rain, which can cause the fabric to deteriorate quickly. Cleaning a yurt can also help with preserving its original color and shape, which are both dependent on how you clean it.
It’s vital to clean your yurt canvas because dust and dirt build up quickly on the surface. Over time, this dust is absorbed into the fabric and may cause problems for your yurt.
In this article, we’re going to show you how to clean yurt canvas and prolong its lifespan without ruining it.
Table of Contents
Steps to Clean a Yurt Canvas
Regularly cleaning your yurt to remove dust and debris will significantly extend the life of your yurt. Please do not use abrasives, bleach, detergents, chemical cleaners, or pressure washers.
The following steps are necessary to clean a yurt canvas.
1) Remove any loose debris– Use a long vacuum cleaner or a straw broom to remove any loose debris on the top of the yurt.
2) Taking down your yurt canvas– Carefully remove the canvas from the yurt and set it on the ground. If the canvas is attached to the yurt, it is best to use a ladder or a scaffolding system to remove it.
3) Check the canvas– Make sure to check the canvas for any sign of mold build-up, bird droppings, or any signs of damage to the fabric integrity.
4) Soak the canvas– Soak the canvas in lukewarm water for 20 minutes. (Do not use pressure washer).
5) Wash the canvas– After soaking the canvas, use warm water with mild soap and a soft cloth to gently scrub the canvas. You may choose the type of solution recommended below (Do not use any abrasives or chemicals). Then rinse off with lukewarm water till there isn’t any more soap residue. For best results, scrub the canvas at a low speed using a circular motion.
6) Clean the canvas– The canvas needs to be wet when you are cleaning it as this makes it easier to remove dirt and soap scum. The best way to make sure the canvas is wet is to use a soft brush or sponge.
If you use a stiff brush, you may damage the canvas by scrubbing too hard. If you are looking for a suitable brush, take a look at this soft bristle extension brush for cleaning your yurt here. This extension brush lets you reach the highest part of the yurt without a high ladder. Here is an example from Amazon.
*Repeat the process until you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your canvas.
If your canvas is really dirty, you may need to repeat the process several times before you proceed to dry.
7) Dry the canvas– You should be able to use a lint-free cloth to dry the canvas. It is important to dry the canvas thoroughly as any moisture on the canvas is an ideal environment for mold to grow. (Hang the canvas in a well-ventilated area).
8) Store the canvas– Once the canvas is clean, store it in a clean, dry place to prevent it from mildew or mold. If it is vacant or you are only living in it, you should clean and keep it away.
You should also make sure that there are no shortcuts because they may lead to damage to your canvas later on.
Picking the Proper Solution
The key thing about a well-cleaned canvas is its longevity. To prolong its life span even further industrial cleaning solution is not recommended as it can cause damage to your canvas. However, there are certain things you need to do to keep the canvas in its original condition and help it maintain its breathable and waterproof properties.
You can buy pre-made cleaning products for yurts on Amazon, or you can make your own from natural ingredients at home.
Here are a few recommended solutions:
Natural Solutions
Lemon
Lemon is a great natural disinfectant and it can be used to clean a yurt canvas.
White vinegar
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant it will help remove the mold and mildew that may have formed on the canvas. It also has a high pH, which makes it effective in removing any residue that has built upon the canvas.
Baking soda
Baking soda is an alkaline material — which makes sense if we take into account that most homes have an abundance of excess sodium chloride which contains an excess level of sodium ions (the negative charge).
Premade products
One way to protect your yurt canvas from future damage is to use a protective coating. Several different types of coatings can be used, including water-based and oil-based solutions. It is important to choose the right type of coating for your specific needs, as each offers its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
We recommend either using a protective agent like seam sealer, water repellant or mold cleaner (do not use bleach). You can also opt for a non-toxic spray cleaner that has fewer chemicals and is safe for people who suffer from eye allergies like me!
Protect Your Yurt Canvas From Future Damage
Water-based protective coating
Affordable- No special tools are required to apply or remove the coating. Not harmful through the yurt when applied properly.
Easy to clean and reapply if damaged (no toxic residue after repeated wipes). Contains no VOCs. Can be used with natural paints, oil-based finishes and silicone adhesives without creating any harm on your canvas, print, or paintwork.
Oil-based protective coating
A thick, non-slip coat forms a barrier so the canvas does not absorb the oil.
Long-lasting (several weeks before reapplication), washable and odorless! If cleaned adequately with water, can be safely washed off. Contains no VOCs
It should last you several months before needing to replace it versus daily/weekly maintenance of other protective treatments. Only a single bottle is needed for multiple
If you do want to buy a cleaning/protective solution, here are some of our favorites:
1) IOSSO Water repellent – This water repellent works perfectly on all fabrics and does not affect the breathability of the cotton fabric. You just have to spray on the fabric, leave it to dry and that will do it trick. Here is an example from Amazon.
2) Mold cleaner – The IOSSO mold cleaner removes mildew and stains quickly without affecting the original properties of the fabric. It is non-toxic and it is biodegradable suitable for your yurt canvas.
Tools for cleaning
Tools will be your best friend when you are cleaning the canvas, you will need certain items to properly get the job done.
Here are the essential items you should get:
Swimming pool brush – this is a must to get rid of the stubborn dirt in the seams of the canvas, as well as make it easier to remove loose debris from the dome area.
Pruning knife – this will be needed to cut leaves and any broken pieces of wood that can get in the way during cleanings.
Spray bottles – It’s a good idea to have spray bottles with an attached nozzle for your homemade solution to evenly coat the canvas.
Soft bristle brush – This will be a must to help you clean the canvas without leaving scratch marks and this is usually made from foam.
Water Hose – You will need to use this for speeding up the cleaning process and also be able to clean in areas that we can’t reach.
Step ladder – This will help lift and lower the canvas to get access to certain areas.
How Often Should I Clean My Yurt Canvas?
An important aspect of yurt maintenance is cleaning. While mold and rot resistance are great attributes of the canvas, mold can still grow on organic particles that fall on the canvas.
As much as possible, open the windows so the air can circulate more easily. It will also keep the interior cleaner and fresher as well as improve its ventilation to avoid mold and moisture. We recommend scrubbing the exterior canvas of the yurt every year to remove dust and grime build-up.
In the event, you spot any mold forming or other environmental pollutants, it is best to clean it right away.
Final Note:
All in all, washing the canvas of your yurt each year will help to maintain a cleaner, durable yurt and an overall longer-lasting canvas. The yurt canvas is an important part of your Yurt. The canvas layers protect all of your yurt’s contents, so keeping it clean is paramount.
We hope you found the information in this post to be helpful. Thank you for reading, we are always excited when one of our posts can provide useful information on a topic like this!