ways to clean cushions?

[UK-WOOZY]

im launching my boat Sunday (a 1988 Jeanneau Sundream 28). Got the boat last year in Aug, cushions have been in the garage all that time and i beleive it was about a year before that, that the previous owners paid any attention to the cushions. they look to be original Jeanneaus. I would like to clean them up best i can before i use them. I have a karcher steam cleaner, is that the best way? thanks

 

[andrewbarker]

Simonize upholstery cleaner - Apply and rub with microfibre cloths. Over and over again.

 

[matthewriches]

Do they unzip? If so bang them on a low wash? Otherwise wet extraction vac might be an idea? Can rent them pretty cheaply.

I used an industrial steam jet wash cleaner on my saloon carpet as I thought it would be a good idea at the time...... it shrunk 2 inches on every edge

 

[thinwater]

There are commercial products for sails and boat upholstery, and I've tested many of them. The current state of the art is based on percarbonate, or basically Oxyclean with TSP or something similar added. Scrub, use an extraction vac, and keep them wet for at least 4 hours (Oxyclean works slowly by design). Leave them in the sun 2 days to finish the brightening. If they unzip, soak for 4-6 hours with occasional agitation. Very effective. I sold my boat with 20-year old cushions, and several people asked me when they had been re-done. And I am NOT a neat sailor; there was lots of food, sweat, and sunscreen on them.

Wash Safe is a good choice if you don't like self-formulating. It's formulated for this.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2017/08/best-100-chapter-8.html
https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/44_2/features/Quick-and-Safe-Sail-Cleaning_12353-1.html