Sail Cleaning

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saltyrob

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Hi Folks

Our sails are looking a bit grubby so I am going to have the professionally cleaned. Its been quite a few years since we had them last cleaned and wondered if cleaning methods have changed and is there is anything I should be aware of. They are standard cruising sails.

Many thanks

Rob
 
saltyrob said:
Hi Folks

Our sails are looking a bit grubby so I am going to have the professionally cleaned. Its been quite a few years since we had them last cleaned and wondered if cleaning methods have changed and is there is anything I should be aware of. They are standard cruising sails.

Many thanks

Rob
Click to expand...

Personally I would put the money toward a new suit of sails. Silk purse and sow's ear.
 
It's not expensive and they will get checked for any restiching needed. Most places will clean them flat so it won't damage them. I'm not sure why Quiddle thinks they are not worth cleaning. No doubt the sail vale tears can give you an opinion.
 
saltyrob said:
Hi Folks

Our sails are looking a bit grubby so I am going to have the professionally cleaned. Its been quite a few years since we had them last cleaned and wondered if cleaning methods have changed and is there is anything I should be aware of. They are standard cruising sails.

Many thanks

Rob
Click to expand...

A good many sail-makers and chandlers around the country send sails to the Tip Top Sail Laundry http://www.tiptopsails.co.uk/index.html who I believe still use traditional methods but only deal through their agents or "trade partners". Their website lists their "partners" in your area.

A few years ago there was a firm called Novosail IIRC who used modern methods and dealt with the Great British unwashed directly , but they are no more.

PBO did an article comparing the methods used by Tip Top and Novosail
 
If your sails have plenty of life left in them then a wash and valet at the sailmakers will be worth the money and a lotcheaper than a new set.
If you have them valeted the sailmaker will tidy up any minor repairs and give you an idea of any major problems.
 
Quiddle said:
Personally I would put the money toward a new suit of sails. Silk purse and sow's ear.
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Having invested in a new suit of sails last winter the cost of washing is infinitesimal compared to the price of the new suit and the benefits of a sailmaker checking over the sails is worth the small price you pay.
 
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Saw lots of sail cleaning in Greece. The method is lie the sails down on the concrete and blast them with a karcher pressure washer, then drape them over a concrete wall. This was cleaning done by a Quantum sails. I note that some other sail lofts advise against pressure washing sails.
 
The state-of-art at this time, according to Challenge Sailcloth and North, is soaking in a formulation that is basically Oxiclean (percarbonate). The peroxide released has very goo penetrating properties and will not damage polyester or laminate sails. Really, just easy DIY work. I've done this. Also very good for upholstery.

Don't scrub. That's so old school and is less effective. Really.

Sail Wash and CS-530 are examples.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2017/08/best-100-chapter-8.html

* spot clean for rust and heavy dirt.
* soak for 6 hours, then rinse
* repair stitching
 
Oxiclean sounds like some American brand not likely to be found on UK/European supermarket shelves. Presumably there must be some equivalent. Perhaps things like Vanish are similar, more available for the type of forum members here.

EDIT: Also correct me if I'm wrong, but these type of oxi-action laundry supplements shouldn't be used on rust stains or sunscreen stains (not that you'd have the latter on your sails)
 
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Mikedefieslife said:
Oxiclean sounds like some American brand not likely to be found on UK/European supermarket shelves. Presumably there must be some equivalent. Perhaps things like Vanish are similar, more available for the type of forum members here.

EDIT: Also correct me if I'm wrong, but these type of oxi-action laundry supplements shouldn't be used on rust stains or sunscreen stains (not that you'd have the latter on your sails)
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Oxiclean is based on percarbonate, which generates hydrogen peroxide when water is added. Such products will ALWAYS be sold as powders, because they are unstable in water. FYI, percarbonate is also popular in machine dish washing solids. Check MSDSs.

Also known as "oxygen bleach."

Sail Wash is a Euro brand, I believe. France? I forget.

Yes, you are correct about rust and sunscreen. Oxygen bleaches can set these stains, so you should spot clean for these first. Also remove heavy soil first.
 
I'm a practical boat owner, so what I do is to fill my rubber dinghy with fresh water, add a little washing-up liquid, dump the sail in, and walk about on it with my bare feet. I should maybe point out that this is takes place on dry land.
 
NormanS said:
I'm a practical boat owner, so what I do is to fill my rubber dinghy with fresh water, add a little washing-up liquid, dump the sail in, and walk about on it with my bare feet. I should maybe point out that this is takes place on dry land.
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What are the results like?

Is the dingy any cleaner?
 
thinwater said:
Oxiclean is based on percarbonate, which generates hydrogen peroxide when water is added. Such products will ALWAYS be sold as powders, because they are unstable in water. FYI, percarbonate is also popular in machine dish washing solids. Check MSDSs.

Also known as "oxygen bleach."

Sail Wash is a Euro brand, I believe. France? I forget.

Yes, you are correct about rust and sunscreen. Oxygen bleaches can set these stains, so you should spot clean for these first. Also remove heavy soil first.
Click to expand...

Can anyone decipher this for UK Dummies? What available products are good for DIY sailing washing?
I thought I might give it a try myself. Would Vanish cause any damage?
 
Seashoreman said:
Can anyone decipher this for UK Dummies? What available products are good for DIY sailing washing?
I thought I might give it a try myself. Would Vanish cause any damage?
Click to expand...

+1

My main is in need of a good clean and there doesn't appear to be anyone local offering the service. Leaving out power washers, what's the best way for DIY? Yard has a good (dusty but not dirty/contaminated) smooth concrete surface to lay out on.
 
I think that it is very difficult, and on the whole try to avoid having to clean sails, other than the odd spot treatment. Many years ago, about 1990, I sent a not very old dacron genoa to a well-known sailmaker for cleaning and check but when I got it back they had washed the stuffing out of the sail. Its performance was way down and I had to get a new one. This wouldn't happen with a laminate, but I hope that modern woven cloths are more robust.
 
Seashoreman said:
Can anyone decipher this for UK Dummies? What available products are good for DIY sailing washing?
I thought I might give it a try myself. Would Vanish cause any damage?
Click to expand...

Vanish is the UK equivalent Oxiclean. Most of the laundry Oxi-action stain removers you see in the Supermarket contain the same ingredients. Just choose whichever one tickles your fancy on that particular day.

IDShot_540x540.jpg
 
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In answer to the OP, Dolphin Sails clean sails in your neck of the woods. I have no experience of this service, but they did make me a widely admired sprayhood.
 
Hi Folks,

Many thanks for info. Have you any advice regards removing a rust stain. I have some oxalic acid but not sure about using it on sail cloth

Like the idea of using the dingy as a sail washing machine and could add a few grapes and press my own not so vintage plonk at the same time

Cheers

Rob
 
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