Learn How To Clean Vinyl Boat Seats Of Mildew Without The Help Of A Service Professional And Commercial Cleaner In This Short Yet Informative Article
Mildew is a common problem among boat owners. As boats spend most of the time around the water, moisture present in the air creates an ideal breeding environment for mildew to thrive on the vinyl seats. Those unsightly-looking whitish dots not only decreases the boats aesthetic value but cause health issues as well. If your boat vinyl seats are stained from mildew, then read this article till the end to learn how to clean vinyl boat seats of mildew.
What Is A Boat Vinyl Cleaner
Vinyl material is a popular choice for boat owners because it is durable and compatible with almost any weather condition. Yet, it is still susceptible to dirt, mildew, and sun damage as time goes by. All these particles can lead to vinyl fading and cracking. The solution to prevent that is to use the top-rated boat interior cleaner.
Boat vinyl cleaners are specially formulated to neutralize dirt, mildew, and sun damage. Some brands of vinyl cleaners are also made to work as a protectant to help maintain and extend the lifespan of the vinyl surface.
Whats nice about vinyl cleaners is that they can effectively remove stains and dirt with little effort. The application process of the product is easy and straightforward.
Store Your Boat Only When It S Dry
Some of the worst molds appear when people put their vessels away during the cold months. It is essential that before you do that, you leave the boat to air out. Once completely dry, you are ready to go.
You also dont want to use your boat cover on the vessel before it is completely dry. If the boat is still wet, you will trap the water with your cover and it wont be able to evaporate. Guess what happens next! Yes, mold appears.
Still, that shouldnt stop you from checking out our guide on the top boat covers on the market nowadays.
Read Also: Colorado Boat Registration
Better Boat Mildew Stain Remover
It is a fact that to maintain and clean mildew from boat seats is a difficult task because of the ability of these fungi to regenerate and come back again. It does not also help that the boat is constantly exposed in the marine environment where these microscopic organisms thrive and multiply fast.
But what if I told you that there is a product that can help you in dealing with this problem!
The Better Boat Mildew Stain Remover not only clean mildew stains but also helps in preventing it from coming back. This product has the ability to inhibit and prevent the fungi from coming back to make it easy for the boat cleaner and the owner.
I am also impressed by this product of being a multi-purpose mold and mildew stain remover. This stain remover is safe to use in fabric and vinyl which makes it a perfect product for your boat. Aside from boat seats, it can also be used on life jackets, seat covers, cushions, and canopies without destroying or damaging the stitches and threads.
Meanwhile, I also like its versatility to clean and remove dirt on other surfaces such as rubber, fiberglass, plastics, vinyl slides, and other surfaces. This is truly a one-of-a-kind stain remover that can be used on your boat and other places.
The only issue I have with this product is its a little bit pricey compared to its competition. But nonetheless, this is still a good stain remover to have.
- Expensive
The Best Way To Clean Boat Seats
No matter how hard you work to prevent stains on your boat seats, the reality is that occasionally you will miss something and be left with an ugly stain on your seats. Dont panic.
You probably will not need to replace the seat or have to learn to live with the stain. Here are some things that you can do to clean your boat seat
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Boat Cover Material
Star Brite 096232 Vinyl Cleaner
This Ultimate vinyl multi-surface cleaner by Star Brite is a bestseller for removing even the toughest dirt, stains, and grime from vinyl, plastic, rubber, and leather surfaces of boats. It provides the best multi-surface results while most products in the market limit to vinyl exteriors.
Ensure your boat surfaces against severe marine environments with this all-in-one cleaner, restorer, and protectant.
The vinyl cleaner is fit for cleaning in-ground dirt, grime, and grease from all kinds of vinyl surfaces. It only has to stay on the surface for half a minute to work its magic. I have used it several times, and I can say that it works excellently as the best boat interior cleaner.
This superb cleaner treats vinyl surfaces and solves users dilemma of how to clean white vinyl boat seats. Just follow the instructions and put your gloves on, you are safe to use the product.
This vinyl cleaner protects my boat from dust and mildew longer than I expected. Its waterproof coating helps prevent vinyl surfaces from cracking or drying out.
- Has UV protection to prevent harsh rays from damaging marine vinyl surfaces
- Use on vinyl, plastic, rubber, leather surfaces, and white seats on marine boats
- Use on car, RV, boat, seats, outdoor gears, and canopies
- Friendly to vinyl as it contains no corrosive acids or cleaners
- Requires repeated applications to remove stubborn stains
Removing Mold And Mildew Using White Vinegar
If its really too difficult to get the mold and mildew out, you can use white vinegar and bleach to clean your fabric, bimini frame, and boat seats. This type of mix will make a good bleach solution although the Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend using this. Bleach is known to kill only surface mold and will eventually come back. This means it will still grow back on the fabric.
For outdoor fabric, you can try to fill a spray bottle with water and white vinegar in equal parts. Its important to note that you have to use white vinegar and not the other types. Using soft brushes, you can gently rub the vinegar mixture until the surfaces are free of dirt. Be sure to have it completely dried under the sunshine to prevent moisture. If not, this will only lead to mold and mildew growing back.
If you are having a hard time checking which part of your fabric has stains, you can simply lay it flat on a small area. This will make it easier to clean and visually check remaining spores. Avoid laying the fabric on wood surfaces when you wash it. Vinegar and bleach can be strong when combined and can cause damage to the wood. Anyhow, a vinegar solution is a good choice to clean the fabric rather than taking the last resort of using bleach alone. Good luck in cleaning!
Also Check: Choosing The Right Boat Propeller
Biokleen Multipurpose Vinyl Cleaner
Mold and mildew are some of the most common problems that boat owners face with their vinyl boat seats. Mildew stains may not come out unless you use something more powerful like the Bio Kleens Amazing vinyl cleaner.
This product is one of the safest ways to deal with mildew stains and other tough jobs on surfaces such as boat vinyl, canvas, and many more without deteriorating their quality and appearance. You will also be amazed by how this multipurpose vinyl and RV cleaner can effectively eliminate chalk residue on the roofs of rubber RVs.
What I especially love about this cleaner is that it can be used to remove unsightly insect and bug debris on the surfaces in your boat, trailers, or RV. Removing bug or insect debris can be a daunting task when trying to maintain your boat.
However, once you start using this vinyl cleaner, rest assured that insect or bug debris on non-porous surfaces will not become a problem anymore.
- A bit expensive
Better Boat Mildew Stain Remover Cleaner
Extreme marine environments make boat seats, cushions, and floors prone to mold and mildew. Thus, the Better Boat stain remover and cleaner is what you need! A premium boat care and safe cleaner for your boat vinyl seats, fabric, cover, and floor. It works on tough mildew stains without heavy scrubbing!
Ive been using this product long enough on my boat vinyl seats, floor, and carpet, following the bottles directions. I observed that the scent is kind of a bleach smell at the start, so I sprayed it on the contact surface and left it for 10 minutes. I am amazed at how stains and spots disappeared completely without scrubbing after rinsing and wiping it dry.
Give it about 15 minutes to loosen the stains and avoid discoloring your vinyl seats. It is worth the effort and time when stains and spots are gone!
Specially formulated as a stain remover for boat seats, covers, tops, and cushions to ease your worries. It comes from a family-owned American business that makes premium quality marine cleaning products in the USA.
- Does not have bleach but works powerfully like bleach to remove mold
- Family-owned American business committed to making premium quality cleaning products
- Premium boat care and safe cleaner for vinyl seats, cushion, fabric, cover, and floor
- Proudly made in the USA
- The smell can be overwhelming initially, like a bleach sort of scent when spraying
Recommended Reading: Best Way To Remove Mildew From Boat Seats
Can You Use A Magic Eraser To Clean Your Vinyl Pontoon Boat Seats
We get this question a lot and yes, more than likely, you can use a Magic Eraser on your white vinyl boat seats. That said, colored seats must be tested in a small area, perhaps under the seat, before using throughout. Use your best judgment and test thoroughly.
I know this has been mentioned before, but I thought Id just add my voice to the chorus of praises for the Magic Eraser. It aint cheap, but it IS amazing. If you have marks on the boat upholstery and have tried everything to no avail pick up six or eight of these little jewels and I promise youll be more than pleasantly surprised.
-iBoat Review
Were an Amazon affiliate and we hope you love the products we recommend! We may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page. These images are provided by the Amazon Product Advertising API.
How To Prevent Mildew From Developing On Vinyl Seats
To make things easier for you every time you clean the vinyl seats on your boat, you better learn how to prevent mildew from growing. You have to agree with the saying, Prevention is better than cure. Here are some things that you have to do:
- Always wipe the seat after sailing. Although you cant see any wet sections, it wont hurt if you let the towel go through the seams and cracks. Mildew forms because of moisture, so you have to keep the seats dry as much as possible.
- You still have to look out for mildew even though your boat is in storage. Choose a cover that ensures the safety of the interior, including the vinyl seats. You may also check the boat from time to time.
Also Check: Who Owns Freedom Boat Club
Star Brite Ultimate Vinyl Guard Protectant
The last entry is the Star Brite Ultimate Vinyl Guard Protectant. I highly recommend this product if your boat vinyl surface is covered with light grime. Plus, it works well in moisturizing vinyl to keep it soft and luxurious.
As the name suggests, this product comes with a PTEF protective barrier coating that does an excellent job of eliminating light grime. The protective coating does not stop there as it also gives shine to the boat vinyl surface as well.
The cleaner helps restore the suppleness of vinyl, making it look new again. Though its a vinyl restorer for boats, its also suitable for use on cars, trucks, boat covers, RV interior leather, plastic surfaces, and more.
Once it comes into contact with the stained vinyl surface, it will do its work quickly and effectively. It is equipped with an easy-to-use sprayer that allows you to spray on the stain. The best way to clean is to spray on the dirty spots and wipe them away using a soft, clean cloth. This will leave the vinyl with visible shine.
This product also features UV inhibitors that help prevent cracking and fading. This is especially important to ensure the longevity of vinyl surfaces that are easily damaged by harsh sun rays. Additionally, it enhances the appearance of other surfaces like leather and plastic.
- Top-notch product manufactured in the USA
- Requires a lot to work effectively
Cleaning With Mineral Oil:
Mineral oil is a less common ingredient than vinegar or bleach. Mineral oil is created as a by-product during the distillery process of petroleum.
This cleaner is recommended for cleaning vinyl stains that are older, or even stains that have been caused by oil or grease.
This is because mineral oil has the ability to decompose oils while not doing damage to the surface featured underneath.
One important thing to note when using mineral oil for cleaning your seats it that it is mainly used for the stain itself. For this reason, you will want to make sure your seat is cleaned before proceeding with the mineral oil.
Tips on using mineral oil on marine vinyl seats include:
- To apply the mineral oil you will want to use a small piece of dry cloth that you have applied a few drops of mineral oil to.
- Wipe the stain with the cloth.
- If the stain seems to be really deep, you can consider using a few drops applied directly on the stain.
- Keep the stain on for about 5 minutes.
- Make sure you wash off the mineral oil.
- Repeat this process until the stain is sufficiently removed.
Mineral oil should not be used as a basic cleaning ingredient, it should be used more as a spot corrector for stain removal.
Make sure you are using the proper oil and that you are following any directions or special instructions.
Don’t Miss: Freedom Boat Club Membership Cost
Why Is It Important To Clean Your Boat Seats
Aside from making a good impression on guests, there are other reasons why cleaning your vinyl boat seats is important.
The seats have to withstand a lot of wear and tear from the continued exposure to the elements and salty seawater.
Regular cleaning of the boat seats will help to extend their lifespan and will prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
It is wise to wipe down your boat seats after every trip out to sea.
Meguiars 57 Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner
Meguiars 57 Vinyl & Rubber cleaner has been formulated to clean, shine and protect marine vinyl, rubber and plastic surfaces.
A spray trigger makes the product easy to apply, and dirt and grime simply wipe away leaving a clean, rich sheen with no greasy or artificial plastic touch or feel.
Meguiars have blended the ingredients of its vinyl and rubber cleaner to cope with the harsh marine environment.
Included in the mix are conditioners which help prevent surfaces from drying out, fading or cracking, and a UV treatment which provides resistance against damage caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Price: £14.39
Also Check: Colorado Boating Registration
How To Clean Marine Vinyl Seats
You should always read the directions on your vinyl cleaner, but, generally speaking, the steps to clean vinyl seats are as follows:
1. Use clean water on a damp rag to wipe any visible dirt or mess off your vinyl seats.
2. Put a little vinyl cleaner on a clean, damp cotton rag.
3. Gently wipe all vinyl surfaces in your boat. Be sure to cover all areas, especially those that are used regularly and wipe away any excess cleaner.
Star Brite Mildew Stain Remover
Star Brite has a specific product to treat mildew stains which are mostly seen on boat seats that are exposed to the marine environment. It is also safe to use on fiberglass, rubber, plastic, vinyl upholstery and more.
The mildew stain remover is very, and you will need less effort in cleaning the stain. It doesnt require heavy scrubbing as the stain remover starts working immediately once you spay or wipe the stain remover on the boat seat surface that needs treatment.
The best part of the mildew stain remover is that it has a specially buffered formula that does not harm your vinyl upholstery or threads.
It is straightforward to use the mildew stain removal as all that is required is to spay or wipe on the spot you want to treat and then rinse off with fresh water. Depending on how old and sturdy the stain is, you might need a second application. Star Brite Mildew Stain Remover will leave your boat upholstery looking fresh and almost new.
Pros
- Removes stain on contact without heavy scrubbing
- Doesnt damage vinyl upholstery or threads
- Doesnt bleach out vinyl colored seats
Cons
You May Like: Best Sunscreen For Boaters
How To Prevent Your Vinyl Boat Seats From Cracking
Finally, its time to enjoy the sunshine of summer and put our boats in the water. As you and your guests jump into the boat, the first thing everyone does is head to a seat. Are your vinyl boat seats in top shape? With a little care through the summer and before packing the boat away for winter, your seats can remain new-looking for a very long time. If not cared for, some annoying cracks may show up. Lets go over how to prevent your vinyl boat seats from cracking.
Alternative Boat Seat Cleaning Options
When looking to clean boat seats, there are other options available:
- Hire an interior boat cleaning company: A boat cleaning company will come and clean the seats for you. This service costs $150 on average.
- Hire a professional to clean the seats: Find a professional on thumbtack or Craigslist to wash and clean out the vinyl seats.
These options are best for those that want to outsource the cleaning work.
SummaryHire a professional cleaning company or individual if you prefer to outsource the cleaning.
Read Also: Where To Place Boat Registration Stickers
