Boat Cover Care and Cleaning Guide
SLO Sail and Canvas makes high quality long lasting boat covers. Taking proper care of your cover's fabric will make it last even longer! This guide will highlight care and cleaning instructions for your SLO Sail and Canvas boat cover. Read on to learn about the "do's" and "don'ts" of normal care and cleaning - by fabric type.
Go to: Boat Cover Care and Cleaning | Off Season Storage Tips | Boat Cover Fabrics
Cleaning: Brush off loose dirt. Rinse with hose. Using a large enough tub or basin to prevent creasing: Add 2 ounces of mild soap to 1 gallon of clean water. Lightly scrub with a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and stains. Examples of mild soap are: Woolite, or Dawn dish washing soap. After cleaning, rinse with cold water and air dry.
After Cleaning and Drying: Manufacturer recommends treating your cover with either 303® or Neverwet® protectant.
Top Gun
Spot Cleaning: Manufacturer recommends a 10% solution of Mean Green® soap (not detergent). Lightly scrub with a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and stains.
Hand Washing: Brush off loose dirt. Rinse with hose. Using a large enough tub or basin to prevent creasing: Mix 25 gallons of warm water + 1 cup mild soap + 2 cups baking soda. Soak cover for 3-5 hours, agitating every 30 minutes or so. Rinse once with warm water, then three times with cool water. Air dry completely before storing or treating with protectant.
After Cleaning and Drying: Manufacturer recommends treating your cover with Aqua Tite Green® protectant.
For Mold and Mildew Removal: CLICK HERE to download Marlen Textiles' "Mold and Mildew - Separating Fact From Fiction"
For machine washing or more detailed cleaning instructions: CLICK HERE to go to the Marlen Textiles "Top Gun® Care and Cleaning" guide.
For Aqua Tite Green® application instructions: CLICK HERE.
Sunbrella
Cleaning: Brush off loose dirt. Rinse with hose. Add mild soap to clean water. Lightly scrub with a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and stains. Examples of mild soap are: Woolite, or Dawn dish washing soap. After cleaning, rinse with cold water and air dry.
After Cleaning and Drying: Manufacturer recommends 303® Fabric Guard™ protectant.
For more detailed or heavy cleaning instructions: CLICK HERE to go to the Sunbrella "How to Clean Marine Canvas" guide.
Soft Touch
Spot Cleaning: Manufacturer recommends a 10% solution of Mean Green® soap (not detergent). Lightly scrub with a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and stains.
Hand Washing: Using a large enough tub or basin to prevent creasing: Mix 25 gallons of warm water + 1 cup mild soap + 2 cups baking soda. Soak cover for 3-5 hours, agitating every 30 minutes or so. Rinse once with warm water, then three times with cool water. Air dry completely before storing or treating with protectant.
After Cleaning and Drying: Manufacturer recommends treating your cover with Aqua Tite Green® protectant.
For Mold and Mildew Removal: CLICK HERE to download Marlen Textiles' "Mold and Mildew - Separating Fact From Fiction"
For machine washing or more detailed cleaning instructions: CLICK HERE to go to the Marlen Textiles "Odyssey® Care and Cleaning" guide.
Clear Vinyl - Eisenglass
Spot Cleaning / Hand Washing: Rinse only with clean water and wash only with 210® Plastic Cleaner and Polish and 210® Plastic Scratch Remover. DO NOT clean your clear vinyl windows with bleach; bleach exposure will permanently cloud your Eisenglass windows.
General Care and Cleaning Tips
Do not fold and store any boat cover when wet. Do not machine dry - air dry only. Do not use harsh cleaners or solvents. Do not pressure wash your cover. When machine washing / soaking stubborn stains, use a large enough machine / basin to avoid creasing these fabrics. Early removal of sap, bird droppings, and other organic stains will greatly reduce the likelihood of the formation of mold, mildew, discoloration, and other issues leading to the need to deep clean your cover.
Disclaimer:
This Care and Cleaning Guide is for informational purposes only. To minimize the risk of damaging your cover during the cleaning process: please follow the links to each fabric supplier's cleaning guides and follow the instructions very carefully. We have tested, double checked, and used the above cleaning methods and products. However, SLO Sail and Canvas is not liable for damages sustained to your cover during the cleaning process.
