Green mold. New technology doesn't work. What does?

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Last summer I cleaned our cockpit tent with the latest and greatest nano technology fabric cleaner. We then spent ages and a small fortune sealing it with the same brand product to repel water and prevent green mold growth.

To say the results have been disappointing would be an understatement as there haven't been any results! Lots of green everywhere.

What would be the best way to clean it now? Ideally I would like to clean the whole thing in situ, so it should be a cleaner that does not rot everything else on the boat, like teak, varnish, paint, brightwork etc.

Having tried my best to be Eco and failed, I am prepared to be as toxic as is neccessary.

 

[sailorman]

Last summer I cleaned our cockpit tent with the latest and greatest nano technology fabric cleaner. We then spent ages and a small fortune sealing it with the same brand product to repel water and prevent green mold growth.

To say the results have been disappointing would be an understatement as there haven't been any results! Lots of green everywhere.

What would be the best way to clean it now? Ideally I would like to clean the whole thing in situ, so it should be a cleaner that does not rot everything else on the boat, like teak, varnish, paint, brightwork etc.

Having tried my best to be Eco and failed, I am prepared to be as toxic as is neccessary.

Brinton Products MMC ( mould & mildew cleaner) do a google for local supplier.
5 lts around £20 dilutes up to x 9 so not expensive

 

[Robin]

Go to DIY store and find algicide/fungicide products, usually in the paints section as spray bottles or where they keep patio, deck or wall cleaners which are in bigger containers of the same stuff in different dilutions. Mix some up with water in a bucket. Now soak the canvas with water and scrub with the mix of diluted cleaner using a soft brush, then pressure wash it all off but go easy on the power keeping the jet a bit farther off. A hose jet would do but takes longer and many marina hoses have too little water pressure. Once dry, spray some of the same stuff (old spray bottle) on and this time don't wash off just let it dry. For the best results once you have it clean, reproof it (we use Fabsil) but not with silly spray cans it needs to be brushed on and soak in well, this helps seal the canvas and prevent dirt getting in and the gunge starting again. We did the same treatment on our decks, sprayhood, dodgers and teak decking which fortunately we only had on the cockpit floor and seats.

 

[John_Clarke]

I agree with Sailorman and Robin. Good advice.

We use Brintons to kill green algae and black mould specks on teak, the sprayhood and the roller furling genoa. We brush it on and leave it to dry. It usual is effective for about 6 months before it needs to be reapplied. A nice synthetic bristle brush holds the fluid well and makes it quick to apply.

 

[sarabande]

I hate to say this, but anything with benzalkonium chloride will do the job. Usually sold as patio cleaner.


Perhaps best to test it (as with any chemical cleaner) on a pice of fabric first. It worked well with no staining on a picnic table parasol which had gone very algaful in the folds.


I also use it for dealing with footrot in sheep.

 

[SimbaDog]

I hate to say this, but anything with benzalkonium chloride will do the job. Usually sold as patio cleaner.


Perhaps best to test it (as with any chemical cleaner) on a pice of fabric first. It worked well with no staining on a picnic table parasol which had gone very algaful in the folds.


I also use it for dealing with footrot in sheep.

Dual purpose for Welsh sailors then!

 

[VicS]

I hate to say this, but anything with benzalkonium chloride will do the job. Usually sold as patio cleaner.

Various other things sold as patio cleaner too

Polycell 3 in 1 mould remover contains benzalkonium chloride.

 

[pvb]

I use Boracol - the same as I use on the teak. As well as benzalkonium chloride (an algaecide), it contains disodium octaborate (a powerful fungicide) which helps prevent mould and black spots.

 

[BruceDanforth]

Put it through the washing machine a couple of times if it will fit. I did this with my spray hood and main cover and it has worked wonders at getting all the green off.