Removing Winter Mildew Stains From Upholstery?

[Skylark]

Sadly, I didn't take my cushions home over this winter season.

Been to my boat for the first time since October this last weekend. Most are fine. Some have small, black dot appearance stains. Fairly sure they must have been sea-water damp.

I brought a curtain and one seat squab home for a trial clean. I've tried 1001 spray; one of the Oxy stain removers and a wash in Ariel non-bio. Can't get rid of the stains. Help! Any advice and recommednations would be appreciated.

David

 

[jema]

there is a mildew remover, theres only one problem, mildew is some kind of live bug / fungul... it actually eats into the surface & weakens ...
try it with caution, I've just been thro the cupboard trying to find the bottle, ...not there sorry -must be in the garage bought it in Wilkinsons, if you havent got one of those, try B&Q or robert dyas, its a spray action bottle like most household cleaners -

 

[thurloo]

hi try a lemon cut in half just rub over stain leave a while then rinse with vinegar and water , if that dont work. wipe with bleach , and rinse with water , for wood or stains just use bleach neat on cloth will shift stains very fast even on stainless steel rust spots and the likes dave... do test on cloth as might be dyed with fast colours,

 

[Spyro]

Yes bleach will remove the stains it will also remove the colour from your upholstery .

 

[mormargh]

I am about to try a hand held steam cleaner. Watch this space.

 

[jema]

found it...
starbrite mildew stain remover
regards J

 

[l'escargot]

"Stain Devils" do one for mildew - No 6 for Tea, Red Wine, Fruit & Juice. I used it recently to get mildew off some lifejackets.

 

[BrendanS]

You might get staining off some artifical fabrics, but as has been stated already, the mould eat into the fibres of many materials, substantially damaging them, so no amount of stain cleaning will remove the damage, and remove the stain.

 

[hlb]

In my experience, you have one chance. Right method first. Wrong methods, just permenantly stains it to fabric. I hope to be proved wrong.

 

[l'escargot]

David doesn't mention any "substantial damage" only staining - that's why I recommended a product called "Stain Devil" and not "Damage Devil". /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Slow_boat]

I've just used a steam cleaner on mine. Worked a treat. I did the rest of the boat, too, including the bilge. Just make sure you ventilate well afterwards!