Spider season is upon us and wherever I look in my home I can spot a spider’s web. Despite cleaning my house regularly, they find their way back, and I catch sight of them in almost every corner of my home.
However, despite knowing the common places where spiders hang out, there’s one place where I never think to look, and it's a site where they are quite happy to reside. According to Nicole Lamber, manager at Custtom, spiders have an appreciation of artwork and find the perfect hiding place in canvas prints. It's certainly an overlooked spot that I had never thought to look, and with an artist as my husband, we have plenty of bespoke canvas prints in our home.
Spiders have an artistic leaning
But I’m curious to know, why are my canvas prints harboring spiders? And what is it about this type of artwork that attracts these eight-legged insects?
“Just like any other area of your home, your canvas prints accumulate dust, allergens, dirt and bacteria over time. If left, they can also provide the perfect hiding place for spiders,” explains Lamber.
And she adds, “At this time of year especially, spiders will come inside your home to find a mate, hunt for food and seek warmth. The area behind a picture frame can offer a warm, dark, undisturbed hiding space for them to find shelter and wait for insects and other small prey. Especially if it’s clear you aren’t cleaning them as often as you should.”
Hands up to not cleaning my artwork as regularly as other parts of my home!
How to keep spiders at bay
"The area behind a picture frame can offer a warm, dark, undisturbed hiding space"
Nicole Lamber, manager at Custtom
To prevent spiders from taking up residence on my canvas prints, Lambert recommends adding them to your regular cleaning list to prevent the buildup of dust that attracts spiders. And she mentions that untouched surfaces, such as canvas prints, can collect around 0.1 grams of dust per square meter per day in the average home.
“This dust and bacteria can often attract the prey that spiders feed on. So not only will the print provide an ideal hiding spot for spiders, it also provides them with food while they build their webs and lay eggs,” says Lamber.
And apart from attracting spiders, Lamber says that dust on canvas prints can tone down the colors and make them appear hazy and less detailed.
While at its worst, she says, “Dust particles can sometimes react with moisture in the air, leading to yellowing of your print over time — especially if it’s in an area exposed to sunlight.”
How to clean your canvas prints to deter spiders
1. Wear gloves
Lamber advises to wear gloves, and explains, “Your hands can transfer oils, dirt and fingerprints onto your print, making cleaning more difficult. Cotton gloves are the best choice here, as rubber or latex gloves could leave a residue.”
2. Avoid harsh cleaning agents
"If you haven’t cleaned your canvas print for a while, you might be tempted to go straight in with strong cleaning products — but that’s not the answer,” says Lamber.
She explains that harsh products can instantly damage your canvas print, causing fading and discolouration.
3. Start with a gentle dusting
Regular dusting is essential for keeping your canvas print clean and free from dust and spider webs. For the job, Lamber suggests using a soft feather duster or lint-free cloth and gently brushing over (and behind) your canvas print. But be gentle.
4. Follow up with a damp cloth
“If, after dusting, you notice dirt marks on your print, it’s time to go in with a damp cloth. Dirt can attract flies and other prey that spiders feed on,” says Lamber
But she warns against using too much water on your cloth, as it can cause the ink to bleed — a few drops will do.
“Gently rub the cloth against the dirt mark, using circular motions and taking care not to apply much pressure,” she advises.
5. Tackling stubborn stains
If water isn’t enough to budge stubborn stains, Lamber suggests diluting a small amount of dish soap with water and applying it to a clean cloth. However, she says, “It’s always best to test this on an inconspicuous area first (such as the bottom corner), to make sure it won’t damage your print.”
6. Let it dry
If you’ve used water on your print to remove any marks, allow it to air dry before hanging it back up. “This helps to prevent moisture build-up and mold, which could attract the pests that spiders love to feed on,” she advises.
7. Keep up with regularly cleaning
To stop spiders returning, Lamber says prevention is better than cure, and recommends dusting your canvas prints weekly.
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