How to soft wash canvas awnings, vinyl canopies, marquees & umbrellas (video)

How to soft wash canvas awnings, marquees and umbrellas

We’re often asked about the best way to clean canvas awnings, marquees and umbrellas, particularly where green and black staining has built up over time.

The challenge is that these materials vary widely. Some are PVC-based, while others are natural or synthetic canvas — and each reacts differently to cleaning.

Choosing the right approach

If the material is PVC, a treatment with Lightning Cleanze at a dilution of 5–10:1 will usually give fast, effective results.

If the material is canvas, more care is needed.

Lightning Cleanze can still be used at around 10:1, but we would only recommend this as a rescue clean on older canvas that is heavily soiled.

For routine cleaning and maintenance, Bio Cleanze is the safer and more suitable option.

Watch the process

Important considerations when cleaning canvas

1. Always test first

Cleaning may affect the colour or finish of the fabric.

A small, discreet test patch will give you a clear indication of how the material will respond. Results depend on whether the canvas is natural or synthetic, its age and condition, and whether a protective coating is present.

If the canvas has been recently treated with a quality waterproof coating, it is often more resistant to cleaning.

2. Be cautious with stronger treatments

Lightning Cleanze can affect natural fibres such as cotton or hemp, and may lighten some synthetic materials.

Over time, repeated use may contribute to fading, fibre weakening, and stitch degradation.

If using Lightning Cleanze, keep dwell time short, rinse thoroughly, and avoid repeated use as a maintenance method.

3. Use Bio Cleanze for ongoing cleaning

Bio Cleanze, diluted at around 40–50:1, is the preferred option for cleaning and maintaining canvas.

It works more gradually than Lightning Cleanze, but is far gentler on the material.

Apply evenly, allow it to dwell and dry for a few hours, then lightly rinse.

Practical tips

• Although Bio Cleanze does not usually require rinsing, we recommend rinsing canvas after treatment to prevent any residue dripping onto people beneath the canopy during rain.
• After cleaning, consider applying a waterproofing treatment, as protective coatings can wear off over time through weathering and repeated cleaning.

Final note

For heavily soiled canvas, an initial treatment with Lightning Cleanze may be required. For long-term care, Bio Cleanze should then be used as part of a simple clean and maintain approach.

Explore the range

Browse our full range of softwash chemicals and equipment to find the right setup for your work.

Wishing you all the best with your soft washing business,
Team Benz