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.
Apply The Mold Remover
The first thing you need to remove mildew from boat seats is the bleach-free mold and mildew stain remover. Next, spray it on the seats, making sure you use it in all gaps of the seat because mildew tends to form there too. When you are sure you sprayed the entire area, let it sit for at least 5 minutes. If the stains you are trying to remove are very stubborn, you can leave the stain remover to soak the seats longer. The soaking time will make the mold and mildew stains from vinyl boat seats break down and become much easier to clean.
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How To Clean Marine Vinyl Fabric
So you are here for one of two reasons…
You recently got a boat and you want to keep it in great shape or the more likely option is you have some mildew or stained seats and you want to get it clean without damaging your seats. Today is your lucky day as you have come to an expert for advice.
Lets start with prevention.
You are probably wondering why outdoor marine grade vinyl would mold in the first place. The vinyl is treated to help prevent mold and mildew. The main characteristic that separates Marine Grade Vinyl and regular vinyl is marine grade vinyl has UV protection and is Mold/Mildew resistant.
Guess What The problem isnt with the vinyl!
The real problem is how the material is cared for and cleaned. We are not pointing fingers, but this is usually the #1 reason marine vinyl breaks down.
So now youre probably asking, what is the best way to prevent mold, mildew and those dreaded cracked seats? First off, you need to cover your seats when they are not in use. The sun will damage anything left outside. This is the #1 cause of fading and cracked seats. If you want your boat seats to last, they simply need to be covered. They dont make boat covers because they look nice and are a pain in the butt to roll up. They help protect your boat from those harsh UV rays. Professional Tip make sure your cover has a vent cap to help with air circulation.
So what will stain your seats? Besides the sun, sunscreen, food, drinks, cardboard boxes, leaves, grass, and ink.
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Still Some Mildew Left On Your Seats
The mildew remover and a cloth are usuallyenough to get the job done.
However, if your mildew situation wasextremely bad then you may need to take it one step further.
Its time to introduce our secret weapon Mr Cleans Magic Eraser.
I was surprised how affordable it was, you can view the product on Amazon by .
I have found this product to workflawlessly on tough mildew stains. Its never let me down.
Like an eraser you just run it over yourmess and it will take the mildew away with it in a stroke.
You dont have to apply a lot of pressure,Id recommend starting off lightly as you dont want to damage your expensivevinyl seats.
Make sure you get into the seams of yourseats. It will be a lot easier to get into these small gaps with the eraserthan it is with a brush.
Different Cleaning Agents You Should Know
When it comes time to start to clean your boat, you will want to make sure you have all the supplies that you need.
Supplies needed to clean your boat can include:
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Old toothbrush
- Cleaning solution designed for your upholstery
There are different types of cleaning agents that you can use to clean the seating on your vessel. Make sure when you are selecting one, you pay special attention to any special needs that are required for your fabric.
You can figure this out by looking up exactly what grade of vinyl or other material you have and see if there is anything you need to know or look out for.
Some possible cleaning agents include:
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Scrubbing Softly With A Brush
When you feel that spray has taken enough time to take its effect on vinyl, its the right time to move into the next step.
Apply a flexible brush on vinyl and make sure that the spray fumes cover every inch of your seat covers. I would recommend that the brush should have:
- non-scratch scrubber
- non-slip handle
- comfortable grip
Now start scrubbing softly with a brush on the affected patches. Dont get rough while doing so. Otherwise, you may end up damaging the boat seats surface.
Dont use a Drill Brush on vinyl seats, even if it has the fast rotary power. Nevertheless, it helps in cleaning fast with little effort.
Some people would suggest using a hard-pointed brush for scrubbing instead of a delicate brush. However, I wont.
Scrubbing with a hard-pointed brush would create much friction, and there is a higher chance of damaging the vinyl.
Cleaning Vinyl Boat Seats
There are few things more frustrating for a boat owner than mildew stains taking over your vinyl seats and comfy cushions. Not only are the black spots unattractive, but they can keep you from enjoying your time on board and even diminish the overall value of your boat. If you catch it early on, removing mold and mildew is fairly simple and can breathe new life into your boat’s interior. Keep reading to check out a few of our top tips for cleaning and maintaining vinyl boat seats on your pontoon boat.
Routine Cleaning
One of the best ways to prevent mold and mildew from appearing on your vinyl seats is to keep up with a regular boat maintenance schedule. Stock your first-aid kit with alcohol wipes that you can grab for quick spot cleaning.
- Make a solution of 1 gallon of water and 1/4 cup of mild soap.
- Use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe the vinyl in a circular motion, avoiding pooling water in the seams.
- Rinse the seats with clean water and a clean cloth to remove excess soap.
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning should be addressed whenever you put your boat away for the winter, mid-season and as you bring it back out in the spring.
- After cleaning with a mild soap solution and clean cloth, allow seats to dry completely and apply a vinyl cleaner with a soft-bristled brush or clean cloth.
Removing Deep Stains
Replacing Vinyl Seats
Proper Care for Your Bennington Pontoon Boat
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Get More Boat Tips From Smooth Moves Seats
Stay connected to our blog to find more boat tips or to read stories from our pro anglers on why they love using Smooth Moves Seats. To learn about the benefits of upgrading to our advanced boat seat system, browse our website for more details on our Smooth Moves Air and Ultra. Or find a dealer near you!
Star Brite Mildew Stain Blocker
To ensure the lifelong quality of boat seats, frequent cleaning and maintenance should be done properly. This includes selecting a reliable product like the Star Brite Mildew Stain Blocker to help you fight and resist molds for a long time.
Manufactured by one of the leading cleaning brands, this model is a cleaning agent that lightens any signs of mold on fiberglass, vinyl, carpets, sails, and fabric. It is equally effective as its Star Brite brothers in this product list. But what makes it unique among its peers is its withstanding protection. It creates a masked barrier that blocks molds and keeps surfaces clean up to three months.
For best results, apply the Star Brite Mildew Stain Remover first to get rid of any mildew remains. Afterward, spray the blocker on the surface and allow it to dry. In some way, it forms an invisible coating that will keep your boat seats spot-free over time. It is advisable to reapply this monthly to strengthen that defensive line against molds.
- Applicable to many types of surfaces
- Creates a protective barrier that slows down mold growth
- Keeps surfaces fresh and flawless up to several months
- Makes new mildew stains easier to eliminate
- Can handle light stains only
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Mastering Mold: How To Remove Mildew Stains From Your Boat Seats
Boats give us numerous opportunities to enjoy the waters, but that comes with constant exposure to moisture that we need to handle. For our vessels to look their best and stay in good shape, regular cleaning and maintenance are necessary. Even with our best efforts, though, mold and mildew can start to form.
While we want to keep all areas of our boats clean from mildew, our seats are particularly susceptible to this risk. By staying aware of the dangers and wiping down damp areas before putting our boats away, we can help prevent the buildup of mildew and mold. But what do we do once our seats start to become dirty?
Thankfully, as long as you have the right tools and supplies, you can get your boat seats free of mildew. Our guide is here to get you through the process.
How To Clean Vinyl Boat Seats
The best way to prevent mildew from getting cozy on your boat seats is to practice regular cleaning and maintenance.
Try these simple dos and donts for how to clean boat seats:
Do Wash Vinyl Seats Regularly: After you come in from a long day on the water, be sure to wash your vinyl seats with dish soap and water. Use a cloth to carefully scrub and clean each seat to remove dirt, sweat, and debris.
Dont Let Your Vinyl Seats Air Dry: After youve washed your boat seats, remember to always wipe them down until they are completely dry. Remember, when moisture is left on a surface thats susceptible to high humidity, it creates the perfect breeding ground for mildew.
Do Use a Protective Sealant: There are many top-rated brands on the market that can help you prevent the onset of mildew or mold from forming onto your cushions surface. Remember to do your research to find out which product is best for your fabric and follow all directions carefully.
Dont Skip on Cleaning: If your instructions recommend that you apply a sealant monthly, remember to never skip a single session. Be diligent with your cleaning routine. Its much easier to prevent the onset of mildew than it is to remove it for good.
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Removing Mildew On Vinyl Seats Using Household Products
If you have some time to spare, you can DIY remove mildew on vinyl seats using household products. You need to be patient and put effort rather than just buying a mildew remover.
As long as you know the tricks, you can remove mildew on your vinyl seats with some DIY solutions. Making it on your own will ensure a non-toxic formula. The best part is that you dont have to spend more since you can find the ingredients inside your house.
Things that can help you:
White vinegar, liquid soap, club soda, and warm water
These ingredients are safe for vinyl and other sensitive surfaces. To create a solution out of them, you just commence with mix and match.
When you have white vinyl seats, make a mixture of 50% water and 50% white vinegar. This combination will also help you restore the color and shine of the vinyl.
The exact ratio can be applied with warm water and liquid soap. Spraying them on the vinyl can break mildew and stain. Club soda can be added to these two mixtures or you may use it all alone to combine with water.
The mixture that is half club soda and half water is usually for stubborn mildew. When you make this, youll end up with a paste-like substance. You may use it on colored seats and let it stay for a while before scrubbing.
Store Your Boat Properly
Storing your boat in a humid garage invites moisture to sit on your upholstery. Inspect your storage space and check its humidity levels. If theres too much moisture in the air, then you defeat the purpose of drying your seats down in the first place. If your area is just naturally humid, you can try setting up a dehumidifier or even just a few buckets of charcoal to absorb extra moisture in the air.
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Is Bleach Too Harsh On Vinyl Boat Seats
Repeated use of bleach can be hard on the stitching and vinyl, but in the video, were not using a bleach product repeatedly. We are using it once. Like I said there are other options for cleaning severe mold from boat seats, but those products are harsh as well.
Your goal is to make your boat seats clean again. After you clean a section, you need to wipe it with a fresh wet cloth a few times to dilute out any remaining cleaning solution. Then move on to cleaning the next section.
Once you have your boat interior looking like you want it, you need to treat it with some boat vinyl conditioner. This will coat the vinyl and the treads that you hit with your cleaning product and help counteract the properties of the cleaner, to an extent.
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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.
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How To Remove Mildew From Boat Carpets
I thought Id throw this little guide into the article because if youre suffering from mildew growth on your boats seats, you may also be suffering from mildew on your boats carpets.
This is one of the biggest problems ofhaving carpet on a boat. Theyre very susceptible to mildew growth as they areexposed to the moisture in the air constantly. Also, its very likely for somewater to get splashed on the carpet and for wet feet to trample all over it.
Once the carpet begins to grow mildew, itwill eventually evolve into mold. This is very bad for your own as well as yourpassengers health because it will release spores across your entire boat.
So how do you tackle the mildew in yourcarpets?
Well, you cant use Marine 31 on a fabric carpet,so the previously mentioned method wont apply for carpets.
Instead, I have a few tips and tricks foryou:
Sunlight: Mildew grows in most, dark areas. This means you can kill mildew byplacing it in the sunshine for a few hours. So, grab your carpet and put it onyour deck on a hot day so that the suns UV light can destroy the mildew. Thiswill also dry out the carpet, thus eliminating the moisture in it.
Clean It Often: You should try and clean your boats carpet as often as possible. Dirt left on your carpet will contain proteins which help mildew grow. Therefore, its important to give your carpet a good vacuuming every now and then.
Now the best solution.
Its that simple.
Never Air Dry Your Seats
It might seem a lot more convenient to just leave your boat under the sun after a well-deserved wash to leave the heat and open air to dry it up for you. But even just the smallest amount of moisture can produce the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Thats why its always recommended that you dry your seats yourself to make sure no moisture is left behind.
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What Are The Different Types Of Boat Mildew Removers
Liquid boat mildew remover
Liquid forms are typically found in Walmart and other stores. Liquid sprays are especially preferred because they are convenient to carry and ready to use.
Those bought in bottles and gallons can also be directly applied or diluted with water if necessary. However, they take up more space because of their large containers.
Powder boat mildew remover
Powder boat stain cleaners require extra time to make the right mixture. It may also be a bit messy to do. You may be anxious to keep the measurements accurate, but its product instructions will guide you through it.
On the good side, storage will not be a problem because of their relatively smaller containers. You can keep the rest in the cabinet after scooping out a portion for mixing. Nonetheless, the powdered mold remover is as effective as the liquid form.
