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cleaning cushions

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wegman
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/20/2010 : 17:53:58

Greetings. I need to clean the cushions on "Tenacity". They are original, but are in excellent shape. I checked the search function and there seems to be a difference of opinion on whether a washing machine (even a commercial, front loading one set to the "gentle" setting") can be used. I will appreciate your collective wisdom on this. Are there any recommendations regarding which soap or detergent works best?

Thank you!

Jerry Wegman
C25 1989 SR/WK 5994
"Tenacity"

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2010 : 06:03:09

21 year old woven polyester fabric might not fare too well in a washing machine with the usual agitation. The vinyl bottoms and zippers would probably stand up to that, though.

I'd soak the covers with laundry detergent overnight in hot water in the washing machine with no agitation, spin them in the washer, and rinse and spin again with no agitation. When you see the color of the rinse water, you will know how much more you have to do to remove the accumulated dirt.

You could also treat the bare foam rubber with dilute bleach water and rinse with a hose outdoors to remove any mildew from the last century, and then drip dry them for a few months some place warm.

If agitation in the washing machine were to shred the wonderful, antique, brown plaid, disco-era cloth, replacement or repair will be expensive, but it would also be a time to celebrate once again the end of the disco era.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2010 : 07:45:26

We used a Rug Doctor with an upholstery attachment and the cushions look like new.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2010 : 07:49:47

I put one or two soiled covers in a washing machine, and they turned out fine. I was afraid the dryer might damage them, so I let them air dry, which didn't take long.

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ckroll
1st Mate

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50 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2010 : 09:37:26

I'm in the process of restoring an 81' whose covers are in pretty decent shape. I simply threw them in the washer and let them air dry. Seemed to turn out fine. With that being said though, I have not put them back in boat yet and subjected them to use. I guess time will tell...

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2010 : 14:01:23

If you do put them in the washing machine and everything comes out OK When you put them back in the boat, Get a can of Scotch Guard and spray them good. It really works in keeping them clean. Or you could try a garbage can/bathtub and Woolite and just soak them.

Edited by - islander on 10/21/2010 14:06:19

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2010 : 05:11:49

I vote for Rug Doctor with upholstery attachment. You should be able to do that without removing them from the foam.

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ckroll
1st Mate

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50 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2010 : 05:43:15

I would probably lean the rug doctor way as well had I not wanted to bleach the foam (to get rid of mold/mildew). Putting them back in exactly right was kind of a pain.

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Stuff4Toys
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2010 : 18:28:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 I vote for Rug Doctor with upholstery attachment. You should be able to do that without removing them from the foam.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">My vote too!

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 11/02/2010 : 07:36:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 We used a Rug Doctor with an upholstery attachment and the cushions look like new.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Question, this is the angle I was going to go with but I was afraid of losing the water resistant nature of the fabric, is this something I should worry about?

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 11/02/2010 : 08:49:23

Buy a spray can of Scotchguard. (Just don't breathe the stuff.)

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.