Old cushion cleaning

[PabloPicasso]

Is it possible to successfully wash and dry older boat cushions to get rid of the boaty smell. If so, how is this best done?

The covers are stitched on and look good, likely recovered by the previous owner 14 years ago or so.

Or is it going to be likely that we will expend a lot of effort on trying to clean them and end up needing new cushions anyway?

 

[sgr143]

I shied away from washing ours in case they shrank and didn't fit back on. I used some carpet or fabric cleaner - brush on, wait, brush off. They became quite a bit cleaner and gained a "fresh" smell rather than boaty. Too long ago to remember exactly which product - it was just one of the many bottles of stuff in our cupboard-under-the-stairs.

 

[Poignard]

Wash and rinse the covers and put them back on the cushions while still wet.

 

[neil_s]

My 1977 originals came up very nicely - but after a trial I found that the material was very 'delicate' in a machine wash sense, despite being made of some artificial fibre. I did all the others by hand in the bath. They did not shrink. The zips had all seized up long ago but I just sewed them up. I don't plan to do them every year!

 

[Seashoreman]

I used some of this a while back to clean the fabric seats of my last car.
Worked a treat. I used the foam stuff.
Vanish Carpet Cleaner + Upholstery, Gold Power Foam Shampoo, Large Area Cleaning 5011417565384 | eBay
This will remove the smell of diesel and eventually the scent will neutralise:
Cat Stain And Odour Remover Extreme Simple Solution Urine Smell Destroyer 500 Ml | eBay

 

[PabloPicasso]

So don't try to wet the foam through with cleaning agents?

 

[robmcg]

Best way is to hire a Rug Doctor with the upholstery attachment. You will need their upholstery cleaner and they also do a freshner. Shocking the amount of clag that will come out of them. Air dry the cushions after treatment.