upholstery

[ErikKiekens]

Folks,
the upholstery on my 1999 sailboat (bought last year) looks dirty and there is some mould developing, so I brought it home. The fabric is water repellent (I think if I threw red wine on it, I could wipe it off without a trace - just don't feel like trying)
What to do? Does this have to go to the dry cleaning? Scrub it with a brush? Can I allow it to get soaked?
It probably has never been cleaned since 1999.
Looking forward to your comments
Erik

 

[Georgio]

Depends on the type of material, it may be machine washable but if you are unsure I would take them all to the dry cleaners.

 

[[70521]]

Go and talk it over with a dry cleaner they are a mine of information and usually more than happy to help.

 

[Marine Reflections]

Hi Eric,
You could give Autoglym a try, very good products, the upholstery cleaner has been a favourite of mine for years.

Test to see how repellent the fabric is with water, after nearly 14 years it is very unlikely that it will form a high water bead, very likely it will just soak in, so best not go down the red wine test route.

You can protect once clean with any decent fabric protection to make repellent again, like 303 fabric guard here for example.

Google both for purchase.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Folks,
the upholstery on my 1999 sailboat (bought last year) looks dirty and there is some mould developing, so I brought it home. The fabric is water repellent (I think if I threw red wine on it, I could wipe it off without a trace - just don't feel like trying)
What to do? Does this have to go to the dry cleaning? Scrub it with a brush? Can I allow it to get soaked?
It probably has never been cleaned since 1999.
Looking forward to your comments
Erik

Have just taken my 1984 bunk cushions to the local carpet/upholstery cleaner. They have come up a lot cleaner. Interestingly the proprietor said that, although old, the material was of very high quality. But then what otherwise would you expect from an Oyster!