Cleaning Carpeted Walls

[Rick Bojahra]

My 1985 28.5 has carpeted interior walls. Some of the surfaces could use a serious cleaning. Does anyone out there have any good suggestions other than a scrub brush? I am most concerned with not damaging the glue holding the carpet to the inside of the hull.

 

[Rick Belisle]

Mine have lots of mildew, too!

I have an '88 285 with the same blue carpeted walls. LOADED with mildew. Looking for ideas (other than replacement) for cleaning this stuff.

 

[Allen14034]

Fabric Mildew

Go to the archives and search for "mildew". There is a similar question titled "Fabric Mildew". There is a response from "Tom"(last name not given), where he says that some holding tank treatments will remove the mildew because they contain enzymes that will eat the mildew, but not the fabric.

 

[Bill Ebling]

Replaced last summer

with new indoor/outdoor carpeting I got on sale at the Home Depot. It was unbelievable how much mildew was behind the carpeting as well as imbedded in the original carpeting. The inside of the hull, which was origanally painted white by Hunter, was BLACK with mildew. No clearner could have removed this without removing the carpet. IMHO the only way to clear this out of the boat is to tear the old stuff out and replace and the interior will look like new. Its not that difficult, just takes time and a lot of contact cement troweled on the inside of the hull. (wear a respirator with an organic vapor cartidge when regluing new carpet or you will pass out from the glue fumes) Bill Ebling Yesterday's Dream1985 h31Crab Alley Bay Kent Island, MD

 

[Glenn Bollin]

Resolve , scrub, and vacuum

with a wet/dry vac did a good job on my '89 walls. Spot test first.Glenn

 

[J Cianflone]

Have a pro do it

A carpet cleaner that also cleans furniture would be the best bet. Stay away from resolve. It will bleach out your fabric. You would be spraying that stuff on with no real way to get it back out. The soap used by carpet cleaners has enzymes (like laundry detergent). Have them do your cushions. They will brighten right up. I was a carpet cleaner in my past life and I've done mine. Also replaced the material after its life was over. Took a wire wheel on my drill to get the old foam backing off. I used 3M adhesive spray for th new material. It's been 3 years in florida's humidity and it still looks great. PS use a mask or vent the boat. The glue will knock you out.