Sail cleaning

[nordic_ranger]

How do you clean your sails other than having then valeted? Mine are to big for our domestic washing machine and I suspect to big for an industrial one as well. What product do you use to clean them with? I was thinking of useing something like a 'Rug Doctor' carpet / furniture cleaning machine. I've even heard that oxalic acid will get then nice and clean again but how do you go about it? What experience do you have other than paying out oodles of cash.

Jim.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Vara]

After some domestic resistance and a flat NO! from my local laundrette I bought a kids paddling pool,about £15 from woolies pre treated manky bits with vanish and washed using ordinary washing powder and foot power tedious as lots of rinses were required.
Drying was done by suspending sails from eaves.
Results good but not as good as commercial service.

<hr width=100% size=1>If it can't be fixed with a lump hammer dont fit it!

 

[Cantata]

I tried out some advice from a small local sailmaker. Only works if you have a wheelie bin. Clean out bin throughly, put sail into it, immerse sail in warm water with lots of bio powder. Leave for 4 hours, drain and rinse. Treat stubborn stains (e.g. rust) with oxalic acid, any mildew use a domestic bathroom mildew remover. In my case, it all worked a treat.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[squidge]

Dont ASK the launderette, use a self service one & dont use the dryer though /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Gunfleet]

I try to avoid washing them. It knocks the filler out of the cloth. I suppose if you could find clean enough concrete you could spread them out and scrub them.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[dickh]

Put them in the bath, with a mild detergent and pummel & squeeze them until clean - then rinse well, hang on washing line to dry.
PS do it when the wife is away and make sure you clean up the bathroom afterwards!
PPS - She'll still know what you did!

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif