Upholstery

[jhr]

The boat goes back in the water in a couple of weeks' time /forums/images/icons/smile.gif so I'm doing a few final winter jobs, including cleaning up the bunk mattresses. I hired a Rug Doctor (carpet/upholstery cleaner/shampooer thingy) from my friendly neighbourhood Homebase over the weekend, which has done an adequate, but not stunning job, perhaps reflecting the fact that pale coloured fabrics and young children don't mix /forums/images/icons/crazy.gif.

Looking ahead 12 months, has anybody got any suggestions for something that will do the job better next time? Would a steam cleaner be more efficacious? Anybody know of any hlb-type miracle boat interior removal gunk?

Please n.b. that, whilst bringing in a valeter to do the job would be nice, I can't bring myself to spend the money - there are so many other deserving causes that I can waste it on.

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[trev]

I've just done similar with my matresses etc. I used some 1001 stain remover (spray) and then a solution of Oxy clean which I guess must be some form of oxalic acid - its fairly new on the supermarket shelves. It did a very good job.
The Oxy solution was also good on the topsides. Haven't risked it on the canvas covers though- waterproofing?

<hr width=100% size=1>Trev

 

[BarryH]

If you have acrylic canvas covers then I'd just use a mild soap. strong detergents will "kill" the proofing on them. You can get a tin of Grangers and reproof them in 1/2 hour if its a dry bright day..

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[apollo]

Thanks for saving me the bother!

I was going to do the same next weekend, might borrow my father in laws Steam Cleaner instead now.

I have mucky carpets after the spell on the dry.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[BrendanS]

all the oxy cleaners are a variant of hydrogen peroxide. Def not oxalic acids

<hr width=100% size=1>Utinam logica falsa tuam philisophiam totam suffodiant

 

[DPH]

I had a few very nasty stains, not sure what they were but I couldn't shift them at all with detergent.

Someone suggested steam cleaning, being very tight I used an old wallpaper stripper, with the end bit removed. Just pointed the tube on the stain and rubbed with a cloth every so often. Excellent results from this, would hire a proper machine if I did it again though.


<hr width=100% size=1>