Cleaning Cover

[Dennett]

I have a custom sunbrella cover and used it for one season. It's not as waterproof as it once was so I'm planning to 303 it this Spring. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on the best way to clean it prior to re-applying the water repellent. Should I hose it down and use the 303 cleaner with a brush on a sunny day over the boat? Anyone try any other ways that have been fairly successful?

[Chexi]

I know 303 makes a sunbrella cleaner (I have it) but never used it since I don't have a cover or bimini. Perhaps someone can chime in on whether they used it (or something else) and their results.

[DanielC]

Trust me on this one. Do not clean the cover on the boat. The next time you take the cover off the boat, you will find the dirt that was on the cover.

[Boardboy]

Sunbrella.com actually has cleaning suggestions on its website. For tougher stains and mildew they actually have a suggested mix of Chlorine bleach,Dawn detergent and water.
Please check website for specifics and disclaimers. Because Sunbrella is a solution-dyed material the bleach is not supposed to affect it. Be careful of carpet and other boat materials
that might be affected adversely with bleach if you clean the cover while on the boat. They say it could be cleaned in a washer as well. Needless to say, follow instructions carefully
when using bleach. Sunbrella also recommends retreating the cover with 303 High Tech Fabric Guard to replenish its water repellancy.

[Boardboy]

Daniel C's post makes total sense,especially if you are using bleach. A commercial washer sounds like the answer. Especially since I noticed mildew on the inside of the cover as well the last time i took it off.

[mlange]

Every spring I use a commercial washer with Woolite, let it dry, and then hit it with 303. It's getting just a bit dirtier every year even with the cleaning, but it's still just as waterproof as the day I got it.

[geoffc210]

I use one of the large washers at a laundromat and follow with 303. I used whatever detergent we had in the house - Tide maybe - no bleach.

[Boardboy]

I read somewhere else on this forum that you shouldn't use the 303 on the cover while it is on the boat which seams like the simplest wat to apply it.
What would be the problem?

[Dennett]

Thanks for the input everyone. When I had the cover made I was told not to wash it in a commercial washing machine for whatever reason, but that seems like the most logical way to clean it. I'll give it a try and then just spray the whole thing with 303 Fabric Guard. The 303 fabric cleaner says it can be used for machine extraction, has anyone had luck using this in the washing machine?

[MichaelD]

I need to do a cover cleaning this spring b/c of mildew issues, and have researched the topic a bit.

All - here are the instructions from Sunbrella.com http://www.sunbrella.com/na/cc_marine_tops_covers.php
Approved Cleaning agents are: a mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite (no detergents).
From what I've gathered so far, use bleach only if needed for mildew, otherwise stick to one of the above 3. Take note that the threads used to sew cover together may not be bleach tolerant.
Sunbrella.com recommends the 303 Fabric Guard for a post-wash step, but I haven't seen them endorse the 303 fabric cleaner.

[Dennett]

Update

I used the 303 fabric cleaner in a large commercial washer at the laundry mat, air dried it and then sprayed the whole thing with plenty of 303 Fabric Guard. It rained pretty hard here last week and it worked great.

Thanks for all of the input!

[Rick]

Be Careful of shrinkage

I wash mine in a commercial washer then put it on the boat in the sun to dry. This works in a low humidity environment i don't know how it would work in the south. maybe some damp rid in the boat as it dries.

[Hercules]

Well keeping you carpets and covers clean is important . But there are some issues that people need to be aware of. Don't cry over spilt nail polish! Manicure mishaps are easily remedied. To remove carpet stains caused by nail polish, just use nail polish remover! Pour onto a cotton ball or clean cloth and blot until the polish has disappeared. Blot again with clean water to remove all residue. Remember, when cleaning carpet stains, especially those made by nail polish, it's important to blot. Don't rub or the nail polish will spread.No one likes to spend precious free time cleaning carpet. To save wear and tear as well as time spent cleaning carpet stains and dirt, have everyone remove their shoes upon entering your home. If you don't already have doormats and boot scrapers in place for your guests, it would be a good idea to do so. Try and keep walkways and entrances swept and free of dirt and debris that can be tracked in on one's shoes.Hope this information helps u guys .

Regards