Washing sails

[webcraft]

What's the best method / cleaning agent?

I reckon a gentle trampling in the bath with a biological detergent - what say the assembled company?

- Nick

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[MainlySteam]

For polyester sail cloth only, if hosing is insufficient, then bleach in water in same quantity as for any other laundry or laundry detergents ok also. I would not trample on my sails unless laid out flat as crushing from trampling may damage the filler in the sail cloth - agitation and if necessary gentle soft brushing.

Anything else eg nylon, laminates, high modulus - if the dirt won't hose off, then to the sailmakers in my view.

John

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[beneteau_305_553]

Carefull using bleach as it makes the material and the sewing thread briittle.

Maybe ok if you rinse really well.

I'm going to wash my sails this winter and then want to waterproof them with something like Messowax silicone fluid. Has anyone any suggestions

<hr width=100% size=1>Richard

 

[PeterGibbs]

If the boat's still on the water take it to a marina, and fire hoze water at the sails from top to bottom and allow to dry. Raise the sails slowly to get at all parts of the sail. All materials you apply to the sails without good cause - eg heavy soiling - will weaken the resin and accelerate decline! Getting the salt out is a benefit, and a hoze will do that nicely. If your boat is not available, contrive to achieve the same washing action elsewhere

Why would you need a bio detergent? Have your sails been dumped in some outfall, perhaps? You need no detergent.

If you have performance sails, don't even think of trampling on them!



PWG

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[MainlySteam]

<<<Have your sails been dumped in some outfall, perhaps?>>>

One does not have to abuse sails in order for them to come to need a periodic clean beyond a simple hose down.

A problem I have seen and have experienced myself is with large furling genoas, especially if with a foam luff, being exposed to being wet with rain water when furled and algae/mold growing (often very quickly) if temperature and non drying conditions are suitable and the sail is left furled (out here the sail is often on the foil all year round, although I do not do so myself).

Also, even if one is diligent a bagged sail and even one under a sailcover on the boom can unexpectedly be sufficiently damp to grow spots.

John

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[BrendanS]

Oxy bleaches such as hydrogen peroxide ? or the recently popular powdered varieties <A target="_blank" HREF=http://oxygenbleach.homestead.com/files/>click here</A> might be a good option. Very good at removing mildew,green stuff, and stains that biological detergents won't move.

No idea if they'd be suitable for sails, but work well on many fabrics,and a lot safer than using chlorine bleach

Usual disclaimers apply!

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[billywilliams]

Our local laundry makes a good job of non-exotic sails

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[graham]

I tried to pry some trade secrets about sail washing from a local sailmaker.He was very tightlipped on the subject which led me to suspect he goes up the laundrette under the cover of darkness???

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[vyv_cox]

Quite a few sailmakers use hospital laundries. Presumably they mark up the prices they are charged and don't want you bypassing them.

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