KD Blog

Care and Cleaning: How to ensure Your Custom Tent or Banner Lasts

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We want to make sure the investment you make in a custom canopy is one that lasts a long time. Afterall, our products are designed for you (and your passerby’s) to enjoy and use for multiple years. We hope you get to use your canopy, and other branding materials, year-round and hopefully you have the opportunity to use them both inside and out. When all is said and done, we want you to get the most of out of your custom creation. We have a few simple care rules to follow to ensure your canopy stands the test of time.

When you SET UP YOUR KD KANOPY…

-Practice first! Read the instructions, follow the steps carefully and make sure you are familiar with the set-up process so that when the time comes for your event, it’s simple and quick.

-When you set it up for the first time, make sure your canopy came with all its parts.

-When you set it up for the first time, check for any damage to the top, frame, or accessories. Please call our customer service department right away (1-800-432-4435) if there is damage and don’t use it if there is!

-It only takes 2 people to set up our canopies. Trust us, less is more in this case.

-Never force your canopy frame into place. If you feel resistance, stop. Forcing it could result in damage. And neither of us wants that.

 

When you ARE USING YOUR KD KANOPY…

-Look it over every time you set it up. Check for small tears, stains, or water marks on the fabric. Check the frame for structural damage (loose or missing bolts, bent or broken scissor bars) and call us if you find any.

-Always use the provided spikes to stake your canopy down. Setting up on pavement? Then don’t use the spikes (obviously). Instead, purchase weight bags that fill with sand or water and wrap them around each leg. They’re easy to use! Find them on our site.

-Our canopies are temporary structures. Do not plan to ever leave them set up and unattended for long periods of time.

-We highly recommend taking your canopy down during inclement weather. Water that pools on the fabric can lead to damage that is not covered under the warranty. Yes, our canopies are water-resistant but since the tops are sewn, they cannot be considered waterproof. If you’re looking for that type of tent, check out the camping department.

 

When you TAKE DOWN AND STORE YOUR KD KANOPY…

-Read the take-down instructions that came with your canopy.

-Never store your canopy with the top still on the frame (unless you want to cause permanent damage that requires repair or replacement).

-Be sure you completely dry and clean it!

-Here’s our tips for getting a good clean: first, try hosing off any fabric. Still dirty? Add some dish detergent (like Palmolive) to warm water, use a soft cotton cloth or soft brush to get the dirt off. Need it even cleaner? We recommend using a “citrus clean” (like Goo-Gone or Goof-Off). Make sure you dilute with water – we recommend a 50/50 ratio.

-We do NOT recommend using any cleaning agent containing bleach on these fabrics! Bleach may remove coloring or yellow white fabric. It also may damage the urethane coating that makes the fabric more flame tolerant. Leaving bleach on too long, can result in brittle fabric.

-We also do NOT recommend stuffing your canopy top into a commercial washing machine, this may separate the seams and you may get leaky tops. No body wants a leaky top!

Say you accidently (or maybe purposely) leave your fabric top and accessories folded up over the winter and some moisture creeps into the folds…

-The urethane coating on the fabric will begin to decay. This is a natural phenomenon, like what happens to a stack of old magazines. The decay process will produce a pungent odor. Over time, the odor will diminish after leaving the fabric pieces on the erected canopy frame and allowing them to “air-out”.

-There is a product to eliminate this odor immediately. It is called Mirazyme® Odor Eliminator, thisis available at most large camping stores.

-Your canopy comes with a storage bag. Use it! The best place to store the bag is in a dry, rodent-free area until you get to use it again.

 

Any other questions regarding care and maintenance of your custom KD Kanopy creation? Never hesitate to call our customer service department at 1-800-432-4435. We are excited to have you as a client and want to make your canopy journey a happy one.