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I have always washed my canvas twice a year with mild laundry detergent. I take it off, soak it in a bucket with the detergent and thoroughly rinse it with water. The current boat is almost 5 years old and the canvas still looks like new.
Non-detergent soap (Ivory Flakes, Woolite etc.) for general cleaning.
Check this out for more rigorous cleaning
http://www.sunbrella.com/na/cc_marine_tops_covers.php
Check this out for more rigorous cleaning
http://www.sunbrella.com/na/cc_marine_tops_covers.php
Rich,
We need to be careful and under stand that the only time Glen Raven suggests any detergent is for heavy cleaning for stubborn mildew or stains. They specifically do not advise the use of detergents for "general cleaning". Where did you cite the Dawn dishwashing detergent part from?
Here is the actual language from the Sunbrella. They specifically advise against the use of detergents with the exception of heavy & stubborn stains.
Sunbrella Cleaning Instructions:
When it’s time for a thorough cleaning, Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned while still on a boat or, size permitting, they can be removed for cleaning in a washing machine or dockside. When cleaning Sunbrella fabrics, it is important to observe the following:
* Always use a mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite.
*Water should be cold to lukewarm (Never more than 100°F/38°C.)
*Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
*Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics.
General or light cleaning
To clean Sunbrella while still on a boat, follow these simple steps:
*Brush off loose dirt.
*Hose down.
*Prepare a cleaning solution of water and mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite (no detergents).
*Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
*Allow cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
*Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
*Air dry.
*May not require re-treatment depending on the age of the fabric.
If stubborn stains persist, you can use a diluted chlorine bleach/soap mixture for spot cleaning of mildew, roof run-off or other similar stains (see our Stain Chart for specific recommendations).
Heavy cleaning for stubborn stains and mildew
Sunbrella fabric does not promote mildew growth, however, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. To clean mildew, or other stubborn stains:
*Eight ounces (one cup) of chlorine bleach.
*Two ounces (1/4 cup) of mild soap and/or detergent.
*One gallon of water.
*Clean with soft bristle brush.
*Allow mixture to soak into the fabric for up to 15 minutes.
*Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
*Air dry.
*Repeat if necessary.
*Re-treatment of fabric for water and stain resistance will be necessary.
Remember to protect the area around your Sunbrella fabric if using a bleach solution. Carpet or other fabrics that are not Sunbrella may have an adverse reaction to the bleach. If a boat cover is suitable in size for a washing machine, these steps should be followed:
Re-treating the fabric
As part of the finishing process, Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish is designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a thorough cleaning. Based on test results, Glen Raven recommends 303 High Tech Fabric Guard™ as the preferred re-treatment product for Sunbrella fabrics. Fabrics should be re-treated after thorough cleaning or after five years of use.
For more information on re-treatment products, please visit www.303products.com.
* Synthetic fabric heat settings normally do not exceed 150°F/66°C.
Applying 303 High Tech Fabric Guard
303 should be applied to Sunbrella fabrics after each thorough cleaning, which typically removes the original finish and reduces the fabric’s water repellency.
*Clean Sunbrella fabric, using one of the cleaning methods.
*Allow Sunbrella to completely air dry.
*Apply 303 Fabric Guard in a well ventilated area following instructions on the container.
*Apply 303 in a thin, even coat and allow fabric to dry completely.
*Apply a second thin, even coating of 303. (Two light coatings are more effective in restoring fabric water resistance than a single heavy coating. A 15-ounce bottle provides coverage of up to 50 square feet of fabric.)
Looks like a faux-pas on my part as I was perhaps remembering their webpage for specific dirt/stain removal methods ... and Dawn is the principal component of all these formulations/remedies: http://www.sunbrella.com/na/stain_chart.php
That mix even works well on blood stains, damn Stripers, but I do use it carefully.
I've been amazed at what I can do with some luke warm water, Ivory Snow and an inflatable kids pool. I let the canvas soak for 24/48 hours and when you come back the bottom of the pool is covered in dirt particles that the canvas released. A washing machine for Sunbreall is a certainly a last resort for me. Even with a front loader it really seems to beat and soften the fibers and definitely kills any factory repellency that may be left..
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