How To Protect Your Boats Seats While Parked:
Maintenance is important to keeping your boat seats looking great, but it is not the only thing that you should be doing.
When you are not using the boat, you should cover your boat for its own protection. This will prevent all kinds of dirt and damage to your boat.
If you do not want to cover the entire boat, which can be a pain at times, you could look into boat seat covers.
When looking for boat seat covers make sure that you find some that are breathable to prevent mildew. You will also want to be sure your covers are made with a fabric that blocks UV rays.
Removing Mildew From Unknown Brand Fabric Seats
If you arent sure what type of fabric your boat seats are made of, its safest to assume they are made of regular duck canvas or standard outdoor fabric. This a very economical choice for boat seats however, duck canvas doesnt have the same UV and stain resistance as Sunbrella and may react badly to harsh cleaning methods.
For outdoor fabric seats, you can start with the gentle soap method listed for Sunbrella canvas. Just mix dish soap, Dawn, or Woolite with warm water and gently scrub the stain.
You can also try the Borax or Vinegar methods listed for Sunbrella canvas. Mix the solution in a bucket and gently scrub the stain with a soft brush or cotton towel. Using a spray bottle is another good method of applying a cleaning solution. After the solution has soaked into the fabric, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry.
Finally, you can apply an outdoor fabric protectant. These fabric protectants will increase the cushions water and stain resistance.
How To Clean Pontoon Seats:
Cleaning seats on a pontoon is very similar to the methods listed above. Since pontoon seats are likely made from the same marine-vinyl material, you would use the same methods.
The only real difference to cleaning pontoon seats is that there are often more, and they might be styled differently.
When cleaning fold-up pontoon seats, you will want to make sure that you get the sides and even underneath. This is an area that can often be forgotten or neglected and that can cause difficulty when cleaning them later or even damage to the seats.
The underside of folding seats is often the most susceptible to mildew because of the atmosphere underneath the seats that do not see as much sun.
You also will want to make sure you properly care for any other seat types such as sun loungers, captains chairs, and other seat types.
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Clr Mold And Mildew Stain Remover
The CLR 6 Mold and Mildew Stain Remover is an easy-to-use mildew remover that can be used on a variety of surfaces such as vinyl, tile, fiberglass, etc.
The thing about I love about the CLR mold and mildew stain remover is that its formulated without bleach, making it safe for use on surfaces that would otherwise be damaged by bleach. These include surfaces such as painted surfaces and fabrics. The bleach-free formula also allows it to be EPA-approved and allowed it to meet DFE Standards for Safer Products.
Moreover, I like how it has a trigger spray handle that enables me to evenly apply the mildew remover even in hard-to-reach areas, making cleaning such areas easier and more convenient. I also love how it has a foaming solution that prevents splash-back, ensuring that no amount is wasted and also ensuring that the contact time is maximized.
- Ensures even application every time
- Bleach-free formula thats safe for use even on more delicate surfaces
- Unable to remove tougher stains
Can You Prevent Mildew For A Lifetime
Well, the simplest solution to prevent mildew from your vinyl boat seats for a lifetime is to keep your boat in dry space and never go sailing. But, you know its unrealistic.
What you can do is to be alert and take proactive steps whenever you see any mildew patches on vinyl boat seats. Dont let mildew worsen the situation.
A little effort would save your boat, and there would be no health problems for travelers as well.
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Can You Use Clr On Boat Seats
Yes, you can use CLR Mold & Mildew Clear on boat seats. Ive used this product on one of my boats seat cushions to remove rigid molds and mildews after 10 minutes of resting, all molds and mildews came off the seat cushions neatly.
Although it works perfectly, it may not work on other marine vinyl upholstery. However, one of my friends told me that it worked excellently on his vinyl boat seats. He followed the products instructions and lightly scrubbed his boat seats with a magic eraser.
You can try it on any vinyl surface, but dont expect too much. If you plan to clean your vinyl boat seats with CLR, I suggest using the CLR 8541813620 Mold and Mildew Stain Remover. It is formulated to work well on marine vinyl upholstery.
Use Magic Erasers On Stubborn Stains
Magic eraser sponges come with special cleaners inside that are ready to tackle messes that stick. What’s also helpful about them is that you don’t have to scrub too hard to see results, so they make for an excellent relief if you’ve been having trouble with a problem area. All you need to do is get them wet and get to wiping.
Because of their size, too, magic erasers are more likely to be able to fit into any gaps and seams your brush can’t manage to get into because of the size. You may need to take a couple of passes with the eraser to get up all the stains, but you will start to see results.
Like with your brush, you don’t want to scrub too hard with magic erasers since they can potentially cause damage to your vinyl. Take your process easy, and you’ll be in good shape to clean up your remaining mildew mess.
You could start with magic erasers if you like, but you don’t need all that power for all stains. Save them for things you can’t get rid of with the above steps.
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Take A Proactive Approach
Controlling mold is a continuous battle that requires a multi-pronged, proactive approach. I say control because you will never entirely eliminate mold and mildew from your boat. This is because their spores are virtually everywhere, and to grow and reproduce, all they need is moisture, the right temperature, and foodwhich can be virtually any organic substance, meaning any material that contains carbon atoms. This includes running rigging, stored anchor rode, upholstery fabrics, the inner surface of a fiberglass hulleven something as subtle as the oil that your hand leaves on a piece of stainless steel.
Following is a general plan of action for removing existing mold and mildew, and once it is removed, to keep it at bay.
A mold and mildew cleaner like Star brite’s Mildew Stain Remover is a great way to tackle mold on your boat.
Combating Mold And Mildew On Boats
Cowl-style vents help to circulate air below decks.
Mold, mildew and the odor they create can be a problem even on boats that appear to be clean and well ventilated. This is because, apart from the visible areas in a boats cabin, there are many areas that offer the dark, moist environment that these fungi crave. Think under quarter berths, v-berths, settees, hanging lockers, lazarettes, under cockpit seats, chain lockers, and a host of other hidden areas, many of which are barely accessible, if at all.
This Advisor discusses tactics and measures you can employ in what amounts to a continuous fight. Once you get a handle on it, your cabin will smell a whole lot fresherand those itchy eyes and that mysterious cough that you may have been experiencing might just go away too.
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Determine Your Boat Seat Fabric
First, you want to identify what fabric your seats are made from.
Vinyl seats have a slick, waterproof exterior. As a result, water should slide right off. Because its easy to care for, marine-grade vinyl is an extremely popular choice for boat seats.
Sunbrella is another popular choice for boat seats. This premium upholstery looks and feels like canvas. But Sunbrella is actually an acrylic fabric that is specially treated to resist stains and mildew. Many boaters use Sunbrella instead of vinyl because they prefer the homier feel of fabric versus the sticky, hospital-clean feel of vinyl.
Regular duck canvas is a more economical choice for boat seats. However, this fabric isnt UV treated and fades quickly. Its also more susceptible to stains and mildew.
Each type of seat covering requires a different cleaning method. For example, while you can use bleach on Sunbrella, its not recommended on vinyl or duck canvas.
If you cant identify the type of covering on your boat seat, start with the least invasive cleaning methods. If you need to use a harsher method, like bleach, test in an area that wont be seen. Seat backs or seat bottoms that are always hidden from view are good places to test products on.
Star Brite Ultimate Mildew Stain Remover
As much as boaters would love to go out all year and every season in the waters, winter comes, and it gets a little chilly to brave the winds. Hence, its time for the boats to sleep through the cold season in the garage, where mildew thrive in damp and dark corners. But with the Star Brite Ultimate Mildew Stain Remover, keeping molds away for a long time wont be a problem.
Similar to the original Star Brite Mildew Stain Remover, this alternative eliminates mold stains on contact with fewer muscles. It is simple to use by spraying or wiping on the surface to be treated then rinsing off with a little scrubbing.
As expected, this Start Brite remover shows impressive versatility. It can be used on boats and at home to clean almost any surface including vinyl, fiberglass, painted surfaces, upholstery, rubber, and more.
But what makes it superior is its special gel formulation. Unlike other ordinary sprays, this mold remover has a cleaning action that lasts longer on any material, even on vertical surfaces such as walls, doors, and more. If youre already impressed with the original one, wait until you see this gel spray face mildew over time, living up to its ultimate branding.
- Applicable on most types of surfaces
- Has an overpowering bleach smell
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Too Much Moisture In The Air
The probability of growing mildew on vinyl boat seats is very high where the air has a higher percentage of moisture. Since boats are water vessels, its inevitable for you to avoid the moisturizing air.
So, its an uncontrollable thing for you. What you can only do here is to be cautious whenever mildew starts appearing on your vinyl coverings.
Use A Soft Bristle Brush
In most cases, youre going to want to give that stain remover a hand. And the best way to do that would be with a soft bristle brush. Work in small areas and target places on your seats where stains are most prominent.
To protect your seats upholstery, youre going to want to make sure youre not applying too much pressure with your brush. Let the gentle motions do the work for you. Youll know its working when you get a bunch of dirt and debris rubbed off as you go.
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How To Protect Your Boat Seats From Uv Rays:
Besides cleaning your boat seats, you will want to make sure you follow other methods to protect them. In addition to damage from a lack of cleaning, boat seats are also highly susceptible to the suns UV rays.
UV rays can cause your seats to fade, crack, or peel over time. This can look unattractive and even be highly uncomfortable to sit on.
It is highly recommended that you cover your boat while not in use to protect from the sun and other damaging factors.
This is not possible while your boat is in use. To help protect your boat from the sun while it is in use you should consider a few options.
One thing that you can do to protect your boat from sun damage is to install a bimini top. This will help keep the sun off a large portion of your seats and will provide shade for your passengers while out on the water.
You can also apply a UV protectant to help protect your sun-exposed seats from damage or fading.
This product should be reapplied about every month or so depending on how often you use your vessel.
What To Do About Stains And Mildew Issues
Stains, whether from accumulated grime or from mildew, often wont come out with standard cleaners. They require special treatment. For stains that have developed over time, try a Magic Eraser. Simply wet one of the pads and gently scrub your seat surface. Youll be surprised just how effective these little sponges are. When youre done, wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth.
For mildew stains, you may need something a little more powerful. But dont use bleach! Bleach will deteriorate the stitching on your seats. It can also fade colors, making your seats look old. The safest way to clean up a mildew problem is to use a mildew stain remover for marine vinyl. Again, each cleaner will have its own set of instructions, but generally, youll follow these steps:
- Clean one seat or section at a time to keep the cleaner from drying out.
- Spray the mildew stain remover onto the stain and allow it to sit for about a minute.
- Gently brush the stain with circular motions.
- Wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth to remove any remaining traces of cleaner.
- Dry the surface with a clean towel.
At this point, your seats should look much better! While not every stain will come out , you should see a significant improvement.
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Mildew The Basics You Should Know
Mildew is a type of fungus that usually grows on the surface due to moisture. It usually begins in yellow, white or grey color, but turns into brown or black afterward.
Since its growth is flat on the surface, it can be easily removed.
You can come into contact by touching fungus-stricken surfaces. And you know that dirty hands are the primary source to get yourself infected.
Mildew causes bad odor for the travelers, and it seems offensive to sit on mildew-infested boat seats.
Well, you must be thinking about how to get rid of mildew from your vinyl boat seats. Otherwise, you would decide to replace not only vinyl coverings but also the seat foam.
Dont worry!
I would be your helping hand to get your stress away and save some money.
Take a look at the stepwise tips below to keep your boat clean and ready to sail wherever you go.
The Importance Of Proper Cleaning
Proper cleaning and care of your boat will pay off in the long run. Not only will you create a safe environment for your passengers, you will also ensure your boat is showroom set if you decide to sell it. What’s more, regular vinyl maintenance will cut down on expensive resurfacing jobs and help preserve the integrity of your boat for years to come.
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Marine 31 Mildew Remover
Getting rid of mold stains from vinyl boat seats can be strenuous without a strict boat care routine and the right cleaning agent. Fortunately, this option can be your best friend. The Marine 31 Mildew Remover is a powerful and versatile agent that takes away mildew stains at the right time and price.
If youre reading this post, we can safely assume that you have tried a variety of house cleaning products and ended with unsatisfying results. If so, you can rely on a Marine 31 model, one of the most trusted brands for cleaners, waxes, and polishes for marine vehicles.
Formulated for marine use, this model alternative eliminates stains on boat seats, cushions, fiberglass, and others. Outstandingly, it is easy to use as a spray that you can carry anywhere and anytime. Its powerful cleaning technology dissolves mildew with effortless progress.
Let me also go through the packaging. While it is similar to most sprays, its black containers create a sleek and sophisticated look, making it stand out among other products on shelves. It may not be a relevant aspect but it makes cleaning cooler. Who knew mildew cleaners could look this good?
If youre quite satisfied with the results of this item, you can get a hand of this in gallons. Users can save more by purchasing it in a bigger quantity. It will especially helpful when cleaning boats that have been extremely stained or dirtied. Having leftovers wont be a problem because it will be useful anytime and anywhere.
How To Clean Mildew Off Your Boat Seats
Mildew is one of the most common problems with vinyl boat seats. It often grows on seats when boats are covered because it thrives in warm, dark, damp places. Mildew ends up smelling and looking bad, and it can eventually break down the vinyl your seats are made of. Its best to take measures to prevent it whenever possible and clean it up quickly once you realize its become a problem.
Avoid mildew on your boat seats
After an outing, try to let your boat dry out before you cover it. It is a good idea to let it sit with the storage compartments open to dry well before covering for extended periods of time.
When you do cover it, be sure to stick in a moisture absorbing, mildew prevention substance. You can buy buckets of commercially produced mildew prevention solution or you can try one of many popular household products. A tin or two of charcoal bricks works very well.
If mold is allowed to grow it will also penetrate the vinyl and over time it will not be able to be removed, the only thing left to do is to re-dye or replace.
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