Cleaning Upholstery

Blue5

Blue5

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The upholstery seating on the boat could do with a clean so we have two choices, either find a suitable company to do it or hire the equipment and do it ourselves.

I prefer the DIY approach so can anybody who has done it offer any advice and to keep SWMBO happy can anybody recommend a company that undertakes this service.
 
Sorry can't recommend a company but we have used various Vax hoovers over the years for cleaning the house carpets and boat upholstery.
First one we borrowed. Second one I bought second hand for a few pounds, was just a Vax carpet vacuum cleaner which required quite a bit of physical effort if you had to clean a whole carpet.
Our present Vax carpet cleaner is an upright machine with rotating brush bar which does a very good job and requires little effort for cleaning carpets. It has an attachment to clean curtains and upholstery and is very effective.
A very good tool and has paid for itself many times over.
Suggest you have a look at buying a secondhand one off ebay. You will need to buy the proper low foaming detergent.

Alternative is to hire a carpet cleaner with upholstery attachment from a DIY store. our local B&Q hires them out.

An alternative might be to borrow or buy a steam cleaner. Our wallpaper stripper had an attachment for cleaning upholstery although we have never used it.

Homa
 
I have a Moody and the cushion covers are easily removed (zips). They go in the washing machine at home on a cool wash. I refit the covers before they are completely dry to ensure they keep their shape.
 
theoldsalt said:
I have a Moody and the cushion covers are easily removed (zips). They go in the washing machine at home on a cool wash. I refit the covers before they are completely dry to ensure they keep their shape.
Click to expand...

+1

Don't get the foam wet. I was looking for somebody else at the manual for a Moody 35 and they recommended dry cleaning - crazy on a boat.
 
MoodySabre said:
+1

Don't get the foam wet.
Click to expand...

Agree with the covers .... have washed mine several times over the years with no ill effects.

Have also washed the foam successfully by threading it in the bath in warm water/detergent. The filth that came out of each base cushion (after 20 years use) was incredible. Needed lots of rinses; and took many weeks to dry thoroughly (by putting outside in the sun on fine days).
My cushions pre-date fire-resistant foam, but be aware that washing may well remove/reduce any fire resistance.
 
+1 For removing and washing on a delicates setting - but start with a small cover first....just in case.
 
If you can't remove covers, I hired a carpet cleaner with upholstery attachment from Rug Doctor, found in most supermarkets and various places. Was amazed how much grime it removed and it doesn't get the foam wet.
 
As a professional carpet & upholstery cleaner, I'd say either take the covers off & put them in the washing machine (try one small one first to make sure they don't shrink or turn brown! - very unlikely) or call your local carpet cleaner.

DONT use steam - you're very likely to f them right up. The main thing is to extract any detergent so you don't leave a detergent residue - and Rug Doctors, et al, will.
 
Hadn't thought about detergent, but what would you do if you can't get the covers off?

WU


maxcampbell said:
As a professional carpet & upholstery cleaner, I'd say either take the covers off & put them in the washing machine (try one small one first to make sure they don't shrink or turn brown! - very unlikely) or call your local carpet cleaner.

DONT use steam - you're very likely to f them right up. The main thing is to extract any detergent so you don't leave a detergent residue - and Rug Doctors, et al, will.
Click to expand...
 
I'm colour blind if it means having to wash the covers! But now you've got me thinking. The covers are zipped, but also buttoned, so if I remove them to wash, I lose the buttons (I'm pretty sure they won't be reuseable after a quarter of a century). I have a Vax at home with all the carpet and upholstery attachments and can see advantages to them being a bit weak. I don't want something that can't be dragged across a cushion unless you stand on it! If that doesn't work, I can cut off the buttons and try the washing machine.

Rob.
 
For removable covers, do people cut off and reattach buttons (Sorry if that's a stupid question)? There's an awful lot of buttons I'd have to reattach if that's the case...
 
laika,

Yes, the buttons do need to be cut off. I used number 4 whipping twine and sail needle to attach the buttons after washing the covers. Some considerable effort is required to pull the twine tight and compress the foam before tying off. I had about 20 to reattach (actually 40 as there is one on top and one underneath in each position) and once I got the knack it took only about an hour.
 
Last edited:
Just a word about how long it will take with a Vax or similar.

We allow 3.5 hours for a 3 pce suite (sofa & 2 chairs), using top-end pro equipment - I imagine to do a good (well, reasonable) job with a Vax would take me about 5 hours for a similar amount of upholstery. We have done the cushions from a boat, that a chap brought home - I don't know what the boat was, but it was about equivalent to a 3 pce suite in area. Expect to pay a pro carpet cleaner about £200 for a 3 pce suite or equivalent.
 
theoldsalt said:
laika,

Yes, the buttons do need to be cut off. I used number 4 whipping twine and sail needle to attach the buttons after washing the covers. Some considerable effort is required to pull the twine tight and compress the foam before tying off. I had about 20 to reattach (actually 40 as there is one on top and one underneath in each position) and once I got the knack it took only about an hour.
Click to expand...

Most of the underside buttons have a slot in them so the thread can be slipped off. The loop with top button attached can be pulled through the fabric & foam once the button is off. Easiest way if thread has to be cut and you have buttons with slots is to attach new loops to the top button and then pull the loop through the foam and fabric with a crochet needle.

We chucked our covers in a washing machine on delicate fabrics setting, no shrinkage or colour run but, as suggested above, try one first.
 
maxcampbell said:
Just a word about how long it will take with a Vax or similar.
...a Vax would take me about 5 hours for a similar amount of upholstery. Expect to pay a pro carpet cleaner about £200 for a 3 pce suite or equivalent.
Click to expand...

One thing I have got is time - and £200 for 5 hours is a lot more than my new job is paying. Guess I might get the Vax out after all!

Rob.
 
As another professional carpet/upholstery cleaner, I endorse the comments of maxcampbell.

Vax, Rug Doctor, and cheap cleaners whom you might pay (probably with little more training than having the on/off switch pointed out to them) use systems that merely pas a detergent solution through the fabric, inevitably leaving a sticky residue when dry (and therefore resoiling quicker than before). Imagine how your clothes might be if you took them out of the washing machine before the rinse cycles!

As with many jobs, a well trained professional is often worth paying for. What's the going rate for plumbers?
 
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