Mould on life jackets, best way to remove it.

Ian_Edwards

Ian_Edwards

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I have 4 Seago auto inflate lifejacks, they are about 10 years old, very seldom used, they are there for visitors.
I inflate them every winter, using a dingy pump, check and record the weight of the CO2 cylinder, and replace the cartridge when required.
Over this summer they have developed some slight mould. See photo.
What's the best way of removing the mould without damaging the webbing or the fabric of the life jacket?20251031_092700(1).jpg
 
I use salt water and a soft brush on stuff like that. In your case I would brush parallel to the ridges, then leave wet and allow to dry slowly. The salt kills the mould spores. Don’t flush with freshwater afterwards. Once dry brush off any excess salt.

At home, just add a lot of salt to a tub of tap water.
 
VicS said:
I would not use Milton or any other hypochlorite based bleach.

Some well diluted (10:1 ) Patio Magic will kill the mould and prevent more growing if not rinsed off
Click to expand...

Diluted or not, I don't get this fascination with toxic chemicals when a bit of ordinary soap will almost certainly do the job.
 
Ian_Edwards said:
I like the, keep the simple, use soapy water idea.
But will the soapy water kill the mould which is probably lurking in the fabric?
Click to expand...

Soapy water may not kill mould and the residues left from soap can support mould growth. Salt works via osmosis on the mould to kill it, and somewhat acts as a disinfectant.
 
Elessar said:
https://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/milton-sterilising-fluid/prd-2kg
Click to expand...
Or pay 1/15th of the price for bleach and dilute it yourself.

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Looking for advice on what might be in the water system on board our new (launched Oct last year) 41-ft yacht please.

When we leave the water in our pipes for more than a few hours, it's starts to have a specific odour, and fizzes as it comes out of the tap. If you run the water for a few minutes it subsides and the smell reduces, but it's really odd.

The (steel) tank is clean, and the water in it is fine. It's only when the water sits in the pipes between the tank and the taps, that it gets fizzy and starts to smell 'off'.

Can anyone help please?

I'd probably use Patio Magic etc
 
Buy some boracol online as an alternative to the PM if watching the pennies. Soaking the webbing in biological washing powder overnight might work if you have some under the sink already which no doubt most do..
 
VicS said:
I would not use Milton or any other hypochlorite based bleach.

Some well diluted (10:1 ) Patio Magic will kill the mould and prevent more growing if not rinsed off
Click to expand...
Vic with your knowledge I’m happy to say I stand corrected.
I use patio magic on the canopies but presumed the Milton would be gentler on lifejackets and oilies.
 
Elessar said:
Vic with your knowledge I’m happy to say I stand corrected.
I use patio magic on the canopies but presumed the Milton would be gentler on lifejackets and oilies.
Click to expand...
ITYWF chlorine bleach is generally not advised for use on synthetic fabrics.
Benzalkonium chloride mould and mildew killers and PM do not harm them.
"Wet and Forget" is another similar BAC based product..
 
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