Guide to Keeping Your Flatbed Trailer Tarp Clean and Easy to Deploy

Count on A1 Tarps to show you how to clean a flatbed tarp.

Usually, all it takes to clean a standard polyethylene tarp is typical soap and water, as well as the space to stretch it out - no need for special chemicals and cleansers. A tarp for flatbed trucks is not exactly standard, however. Flatbed trailer tarps are made to go on the road, and they can pick up a lot more grime, dirt and other mystery stains. Keeping them clean is important for ensuring their long life.

Fortunately, cleaning them is easy. Depending on the size of the tarps, it may be a big project that takes some time, but it is definitely possible, and requires no expensive cleaning materials.

Cleaning It Up

We'll go step by step:

• Find a place to lay the whole thing flat. If that kind of space isn't available, work in stripes on your flatbed.
• Rinse the tarp with water from a hose to get rid of the first layer of gunk.
• Now it's time for cleanser. You're going to whip up a solution of two cups of baking soda per gallon of vinegar. For tough spots, use Dawn dish soap - no need for the fancy-smelling stuff, but you do you.
• Leave the vinegar solution on the spot to be cleaned for about 10-15 minutes.
• Use a wide push broom to scrub away the gunk.
• If you are having issues with scrubbing, you can use a pressure washer on a low setting.
• Allow it to dry completely. You can scrub additional parts of the same side, but don't flip that tarp until the entire side is completely dry.

While you are scrubbing, you can take the opportunity to check for any tears or rips. Once the tarp is cleaned, you can patch those holes up.

Storing Your Truckers Tarps

When your tarp is clean, you're ready to fold it. Because this is a bigger-than-usual tarp, we're going to fold it in a way that allows for easy deployment.

• Lay the flatbed tarp flat, with the grommets facing up. If there is a flap, fold it into the center.
• Evaluate the tarp and identify the longer sides. Fold each side toward the center, adjusting whatever you need to ensure those flaps are as directly in the center as possible.
• Repeat this process until you have a manageable width.
• Switching to the short ends, fold the tarp in half.
• Time to roll: Starting with the side opposite of the flaps, roll the other end of the tarp toward the flaps.
• Bungee it closed, and store it in a safe, dry place.

The advantage to this process is for when you need to install it. All you have to do is place the tarp in the center of your cargo, and you'll find it will easily unroll and unfold. The person who agreed to help you with securing your load is sure to appreciate your forward thinking!