No matter what you are using your heavy tarps for, whether camping, covering your backyard, or on the back of the pick up truck, you'll want to do all you can to keep it in it's best condition.
You may wonder why you should even bother cleaning it if it's just going to get dirty again.
While this is true, it's also true that the more you clean and take care of your tarp the longer it's going to last.
So don't throw away money.
Take these steps to clean and store your heavy duty tarp.
To clean a tarp, lay it out on a large, clean surface.
It's easiest to do so by hosing off a driveway or other cemented area outside.
Unfold the tarp and shake off any excess dirt and debris.
Spread the tarp out and, if need be, place down something on the corners to keep it from shifting too much.
You can first use a broom to brush off any extra dirt.
Then mix water with a gentle soap (dish soap works well) in a bucket.
You can also find soaps made specifically to clean tarps.
If you have really bad stains on the tarp, add a cup of vinegar.
A stiff-bristled scrub brush will work well here, something similar to what you may use in your tub.
You can scrub through each area of the tarp with the brush dipped in your mix of cleaner.
While cleaning, this is the best time to check your heavy tarp for any rips and tears.
Some can be easily repaired, but if it looks like something too big to handle, you'll probably want to get yourself a replacement.
After you have finished, hose it off until no soap suds remain and let it air dry for a couple of hours.
It's important it be completely dry before folding otherwise you will be encouraging mold growth and will have to toss it.
Never store your heavy tarps in sunlight, it will ruin the fabric and may even bleach out areas of the tarp.
The best place to store it would be wherever is cool, dark and dry.
This will ensure better care of the protective coating that covers tarps.
If your coating seems to be wearing away, you can apply preservative over your tarp.
Taking good care of your heavy tarp is going to come back to you in a great way.
You'll find it lasts longer and better through all the typical wear, tear, and dirt it sees in its use.
It's worth it to put the time and effort into keeping it clean and properly stored.