Cleaning carpet lining on board ?

[sarabande]

The interior of the cabin is lined with carpet which over the winter has grown little blobs of dark mould in the weave.

I have recently bought for the house a serious V** carpet cleaner which is equipped with a handtool claimed to clean up holstery and cars, and hard floors.

Does anyone have experience of using domestic carpet equipment on the boat, for cleaning (possibly) slightly salt impregnated carpet lining and dry bilges and lockers, please ?

The cleaning fluid provided with the machine makes great play on killing 99% of all bacteria. Presumably this will reduce the slight Old Boat fragrance without stripping the varnish from the timber lathes fastening the carpet , and reduce the restablishment of bacterial mould colonies ?

T I A

 

[ducked]

Mould isn't bacterial, its fungal.

The effectiveness of the bacteriocide in combatting mould is thus a bit hard to predict, without knowing what it is.

Bleach is somewhat effective against mould, and wont attack varnish, but might fade your carpet. Fungal spores remain a health hazard even after being killed, though, so need to be physically removed, which hopefully your carpet cleaner will do.

If it doesn't, you might have to remove the carpet.

 

[Iliade]

Mould remover spray (really just concentrated bleach) worked a treat on my old Centaur. My carpets were unaffected, but of course do first try it on an inconspicuous part of yours.

Nowadays the heads gets a quick spray every time we leave the boat and it now looks and smells like a newly fitted one after several years.

I have also used my Dyson carpet cleaner's hand tool to successfully remove grime from car seats etc.

 

[PCUK]

I have found “The Pink Stuff” spray is superb for removing mould on vinyl flooring used for cabin linings. It doesn't exude toxic fumes so presumably is quite benign. Well worth trying.

 

[john_morris_uk]

We use a Vax ‘spot cleaner’ on board. It’s very effective.

 

[sarabande]

Amazing coincidence, JM. Many thanks for the practical advice. I have just had an email from V** Customer Service, saying that their SpotCleaner system ( spray and brush) contains something similar to bleach which kills mould , but be careful to use it first, let it dry out, then use the normal carpet cleaning process.

They did warn that moulds can stain some carpet material permanently .

Thanks to Ducked also for the earlier alert. Every day a schoolday!

 

[stephen_h]

We use a Vax ‘spot cleaner’ on board. It’s very effective.

This....

 

[Sneaky Pete]

We use a Vax ‘spot cleaner’ on board. It’s very effective.

I Use a VAX spot cleaner with 1001 carpet cleaner fluid, great results.

 

[thinwater]

Formula B, based on borax, is well proven for this. It was basically developed for this. Cleaning and prevention. Borate is an effective mildewcide.
Formula B
Washing soda can be substituted for TSP.

 

[ducked]

Formula B, based on borax, is well proven for this. It was basically developed for this. Cleaning and prevention. Borate is an effective mildewcide.
Formula B
Washing soda can be substituted for TSP.

I believe borax is now only available to Professional Polluters in The Yook

 

[Poignard]

I glanced at this thread's title and thought that it wouldn't interest me.

But, having just knocked my first cup of tea of the day over the bedroom carpet.....

 

[sarabande]

Thanks for the info re Formula B, TW.

I'm slightly concerned, having chased the reference up on Wiki, about the possible risks of using it on board, where ventilation is restricted. Worth wearing a full mask , and an extract fan ?

And applying Formula B ( or UK equivalent) first, and then using the standard carpet cleaner fluid ?

 

[Sianna]

For carpets and curtains I use a steam cleaner, but outside of the boat

 

[Momac]

I receny used a small steam cleaner together with some Dr Beckmann carpet cleaner and it's great on the boat carpet. But if I had a carpet spot cleaner I would certainly give it a go.

 

[littledancersadhu]

I (TRY) to have removeable covers that can go in the washing machine at home.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I (TRY) to have removeable covers that can go in the washing machine at home.

Highly commendable but I think the OP was referring to carpet that’s glued to his boat interior.

 

[wallacebob]

If stains persist after cleaning, try vinegar spray. I had stains on my cushions from mould, a good spray and patience worked. Sunlight helps too, but no use n your case. A visit to somewhere like Home Bargains or B&M usually gets the right stuff at best price.

 

[alahol2]

I'd be inclined to have a go with Patio Magic for cleaning and future prevention.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I'd be inclined to have a go with Patio Magic for cleaning and future prevention.

I used Patio Magic followed by a foam cleaner for car upholstery for the same problem however Sara has the problem that the carper is behind wooden laths so there is a small gap with the carpet showing. If he goes the Patio Magic route then it's going to be laborious and done with a small scrubbing brush that fits the gap. I think it would work though.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

If stains persist after cleaning, try vinegar spray. I had stains on my cushions from mould, a good spray and patience worked. Sunlight helps too, but no use n your case. A visit to somewhere like Home Bargains or B&M usually gets the right stuff at best price.

Recent experience of vinegar on black mould on varnished woodwork, removed the black very well. I tried lots of cleaners, neat bleach, lightly rubbing et cetera and the black stubbornly remained until vinegar was used. Good to note that your suggestion will also work on fabrics as you describe.