Cleaning sails

[nimuemusic]

I am scrubbing my mainsail on the garden lawn. Can anyone advise how best to get rid of green mildew marks where the sail has been flaked?

Lee Dowell

 

[Judders]

Put a boom cover over it.

Works every time.

Also obscurs poor flaking.

 

[Boomshanka]

Out of all the costs in running a boat, I was amazed really at how reasonable a sail laundry was... let the pros have a go would be my first thought, you might be surprised.

 

[nimuemusic]

Hi Judders (Clever dick)

It's had a sail cover on ALL the time.

Any more smart remarks?

 

[Judders]

No, I don't mean to stop it getting dirty, I mean to cover up the dirt.

Never mind.

 

[robp]

Dettox whatever it's called now?
Vanish solution left on to soak for a short while.
Vanish got the mildew spots off my curtains, which I was impressed with. I do know it's a mild bleach but shouldn't be enough to do harm.
Call yr sail maker to confirm they're happy though.

Incidentally my sail maker (or rather they guy who made my sails) does not like those washing machine sail launders. He says too much rolly polly and scrunching! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Rum_Pirate]

These are natrually light yellow.

You can see a few dirty spots on the right.

 

[Sybarite]

Re: Cleaning sails - a French solution

Wipe the mildewed areas with concentrated white vinegar.
Do not rinse; allow to evaporate.
If traces remain clean with a diluted ammonia solution.


John