Cleaning Foam cushions.

[Shiver Metimbers]

Does anyone have any ideas on cleaning foam cushions. SWMBO has washed the covers and they are fine now, but the foam rubber cushions still have that old boaty smell about them.

 

[Gordonmc]

I put one in the bath with some non foaming detergent and gave it a good stomping on (I took my shoes off first).
A few rinses in fresh water, then left it in the bath to get most of the water out.
This is where it goes pear-shaped. They will drip constantly as the water works its way by gravity to the lowest point.
They will take days, if not weeks to dry properly in a warm airy place where drips won't matter.
I had to wash mine as it was blown from the deck into the briny and I had to get the salt out. If yours are just niffy I would go the the pet shop and buy some cat-pee de-odouriser. The enzymes do work on boaty/dieseley smells.

 

[NormanS]

Yes, like Gordon, I washed mine, actually in the dinghy, with some Fairy. The drying takes ages, first dripping on the clothes line, finally in the boiler cupboard. I kept weighing them on a set of accurate kitchen scales until there was no more weight loss. Took a long time.

 

[Dipper]

Last time I washed mine I did the same as Norman except I washed them in the bath. Weigh them first so that you know when they are really dry. It takes days/weeks to fully dry out. You can 'encourage' the process by placing them between towels on a waterproof floor (I used the kitchen floor) and treading them.

If the foam has started to go 'off', you probably won't be able to remove all the smell. I speak from experience. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[NorthUp]

As replies above for cleaning, to dry put them in a small room with a dehumidifier- you can hire one if need be for a couple of days.

 

[JohnTH]

Have toy tried a pressure washer and then an aquvac? Car seats come up nice.

What about a steam machine. I have used a small domestic unit to good effect on grubby boat seats