Best way to wash boat cover?

DRAGON88 · Posted: Apr 11, 2007 9:46 pm Post subject: Best way to wash boat cover?

Our cover got absolutely drenched in sawdust this winter I vacuumed it off, and it looks pretty good. But I would like to wash it to be sure I get all or most of the sawdust off. We tow with the cover and I don't really want sand paper action going on under there.

Right now I'm thinking a big rubbermaid container with 303 fabric cleaner. and warm water, maybe a series of 3 of them, one for rinse one for wash and one for rinse again.

Any other ideas?

wakeboarderdave1 · Posted: Apr 12, 2007 4:40 am Post subject:

I would think a power washer would be good. Just don't get to close. Try hanging it on a clothes line or something as well. Makes it easier than having to be on your hands and knees. Soap and water always worked well for us.

coursey · Newbie Joined: 12 Aug 2005 Posts: 31 City: Cincinnati, OH

A power washer will separate the fibers. Your best bet is to spread out the cover on your driveway and use a soft brush. Do not use detergents. Use a mild soap. Brush off the loose dirt and clean with IVORY or LUX (use warm water not hot). Rinse with cold water. Make sure you get all of the soap out. Let it dry in the sun. When the cover is dry put it back on your boat to maintian the shape.

Swass · Guest

If the cover is Sunbrella, I agree with everything newbie said except I'd recommend using Woolite instead of dishsoap. (Of course there's the "Do not use detergents. Use a mild soap." contradiction, but we'll let that one go). Let the cover dry before you put it back on.

coursey · Newbie Joined: 12 Aug 2005 Posts: 31 City: Cincinnati, OH

The term "detergent" was put out there to keep a person from using Tide or a similar product. Most people associate cleaning fabrics with "detergents".

I will try to be more precise in the future.

"Ivory Snow" is what I meant to type. Woolite and Dreft will work as well.

oshensurfer · Posted: Apr 12, 2007 7:13 am Post subject:

DRAGON88, If you're not into doing it yourself, try a commercial cleaners. They usually have a large enough washer to fit.

tball · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 3953

If it's just sawdust you're worried about you may not even need soap/detergent/etc. Take it to one of those coin op car washes and bungee cord it up against one of the walls and hose it down (don't get too close like wakeboarderdave1 said), flip it over and repeat. Maybe a gentle brushing action at a medium pace will satisfy the cover as well.