Clean mildew off of fabrics

[Andy]

I don't really know if this is the Head Mistress' department, and she may have already answer the question and I missed it. Anyway, she seems to be Heads-Up on everything else-so give it a shot.As much as we try to prevent and eliminate mildew, some time or another the dreaded m-cancer starts on our favorite boat fabric, be it a live jacket, curtain, cushion, or cover.What do suggest for cleaning these items?

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Best way to eliminate mildew

Is to prevent it from forming in the first place. Mildew likes dampness and REALLY likes darkness. So leave lockers and hatches inside the cabin open...try to leave portlights open so that fresh air can circulate inside the boat and keep humidity from creating condensation. I heard years ago that leaving a 60w bulb burning in the cabin prevents mildew...that it provides just enough heat and light to prevent the conditions in which mildew forms. It works...at least on my own boat. Of course, you'd have to be plugged into shore power...and be sure the lamp you leave lit can't fall over. As for what cleaner or chemical will clean it...sunlight is the best cure AND preventative...IF you get to it before it makes a stain. Leave wet PFDs, towels etc in the cockpit to dry--or take 'em home...Put cushions on deck or on the dock for a few hours every month or so. Once you have mildew, you can clean lockers and hard surfaces with detergenta strong bleach solution or somethng like Tilex, but don't use it on fabrics. Get to those as quickly as possible with a little detergent and water...rinse very thoroughly... If you wait till the stain has bonded with the fibers, nothing but bleach will remove it...unfortunately it will also remove the color from the fabric.Bottom line: stay on top of the situation--don't let mildew get a head start. An ounce--even a whole pound--of prevention will save you tons of work and expensive replacement of soft goods.

 

[tony giaccio]

mildew

no new ideas for cleaning but here's 2 for prevention.BOUNCE yup BOUNCE those tissues the put in the clothes dryer.the smell good and help w/mildew.change once a season .place innooks/crannies and under the cushions.LEMON OIL-annually wipe down your inside wood trim w/lemon oil.mildew hates it and its cheap good luck.tony

 

[Gil Boettcher]

I am trying IOSSO and Damp Rid

Here is a post from the CAL email discussion group. I bought some of the IOSSO from Walmart yesterday and plan to try it soon. Sounds encouraging since the directions say it can be used on fabric without bleaching the color.I found Damp Rid at Lowe's Building Supply and plan to try that too.Regards,Gil Boettchergboettcher@ibm.netI tried a whole bunch of stuff on the various mildewed surfaces on our boat> when we bought her and since, and my final "this works well for us"> solutions are:> > Fabric: (including our upholstery and headliner): There's this stuff> Wal-Mart sells in the camping/RV/Marine aisle called IOSSO Mold and Mildew> Stain Remover. It's a powder you mix with water (our lid says "Makes 3> Gallons". When you mix it up, it turns blue; when the water turns clear,> it's safe to use. Won't bleach anything out, does a great job of getting> rid of the mildew (and general fabric cleaning), and so far it hasn't come> back. When we were done, we sprayed the area until damp with Lysol, then> let dry. That also helps.> (the stuff supposedly works on vinyl, etc. as well - haven't tried it> ourselves)> > Wood (Interior) - Lemon oil cleans, shines, protects, smells good, and is> also TOXIC to mildew. That's lemon oil, not lemon furniture polish, or any> other product with some lemon oil in it. West Marine's is decent.> > Non-porous surfaces:> A cheap and effective bleach/water/dish detergent mix usually does it.> > Other tips:> We hang Damp-Rid bags in each hanging locker. Keeps the lockers smelling> fresh and dry - when the bag fills with water, we just replace them. Also> available at Wal-Mart or K-mart. (I don't understand why West Marine dosen't> carry these - they don't tip over when heeled like the open containers> do...)> > We spray the surfaces of all closed storage compartments with Lysol whenever> we open/clean/organize them. This has definitely seemed to help as well.> > Hope this helps!!> > Amy VanHoose> s/v Sauce, Cal 35' MK-II> Charleston, SC> (Doing battle with warm, humid weather since 1997)