wigwam weally needs a wash - can I stick it in the machine?

[blackberrymumble]

has anyone put a kids canvas wigwam in their domestic washing machine? (I have an 8kg load capacity) I'll remove the poles first! Its rather yuck with a bit of mould and the only other thing I can think of is to scrub with Milton - might try that too. Anyone got any top tips? Would like to bring it in the house...but too grubby at the moment. Thank you

[MrsMangoBiscuit]

I think it will depend on what kind of canvas it is. If it's nylon type stuff, then anything but a very cold wash might melt / shrink it, and a cold wash might not get rid of the mold. If it's cotton type stuff, it might not be pre-shrunk, and, again, it might shrink. If it's a case of, if you can't get it clean, it'll be thrown out, I'd bung it in the machine. Otherwise I'd probably be trying to give it a good scrub down by hand.