Cleaning foam cushions?

[PK123]

My dearly beloved washed the covers for our v-birth and cabin...the seals to the windows had been leaking before we purchased the boat and the foam padding looks pretty grim with the covers off - I think it oxidation although it looks like something has dribble worm lines? Is there anything that will get rid of the orange and restore the foam - would bleach destroy the foam? I know it's probably all just cosmetic but 'once you see it you can't un-see' it under the covers and we dont particularly want to go down the route of replacing the foam.

 

[dlochner]

Time to replace the foam. All foam deteriorates over time. If the V-berth has been used sweat and other body fluids have soaked into he the foam along with any other water that has entered the cabin and V-berth.

The foam also absorbs odors and replacing it will make a big difference in how the boat smells.

Get the covers dry cleaned and replace the foam. Reinserting the foam can be a challenge. There is a video on SailRite.com on how to reinsert the foam using plastic film and a shop vac. It really works!

 

[thinwater]

Never show foam to your better half. Ever.

The foam is probably worn anyway.

You could dry clean the covers. But in fact, a washing with strong detergent, a 2-3 hour soak in Oxiclean, and an follow-up wash can work wonders with very little effort. Then leave them in the sun for a few days; the Oxiclean "weakens" the stains to where UV can finish the job very nicely. Almost certainly, it is a fabric that can stand up to a good cleaning. (For those of you with covers that cannot come off, this can also be done with an upholstery vacuum and some elbow grease.)

 

[ggrizzard]

Agree with foam replacement. But, you could clean the covers (if they are still usable)
by taking them to a Stanley Steamer operator. I did after I replaced the foam and
it made a huge difference.
Also, don't buy "soft" style foam. It won't hold up over time.
Sailrite has a chart with lots of options.

 

[william24424]

Yes, replace foam. You don't want to... yet part of you understands you must. Also I'd suggest to check deck...every screw, hatch, portlight, ect... to make sure there is no drip on those rainy days that you don't go out.

I replaced all the foam in these dirty cushions, steam cleaned the upholstery, you can't see the white foam but you can smell the photo...it's clean & smells like a vanilla yankee candle, Admiral is happy & I didn't look @ price because at the end of the day it doesn't matter. Good luck.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Yes, replace foam. You don't want to... yet part of you understands you must. Also I'd suggest to check deck...every screw, hatch, portlight, ect... to make sure there is no drip on those rainy days that you don't go out.

I replaced all the foam in these dirty cushions, steam cleaned the upholstery, you can't see the white foam but you can smell the photo...it's clean & smells like a vanilla yankee candle, Admiral is happy & I didn't look @ price because at the end of the day it doesn't matter. Good luck.

Beautiful cushions! I'd love to match that. Any info on the fabric?

 

[william24424]

Thanks. Outdura® Raindrop Midnight 54" Upholstery Fabric (12812) Sailrite, if memory is right. I had Levielle from Oysterville Cape Cod do the work & purchase fabric. It seems any type of navy or blue goes well with teak trim. I don't have an eye for design, but I can copy those that do.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I've dried foam overnight with a box fan overnight after they got soaked due to a leak. As for your covers, a carpet cleaning shop or dry cleaners might be a good solution. I take my canvas to the cleaners at the end of every season. While I know it's not the best thing for a synthetic material, they come back looking brand new.

 

[ggrizzard]

Folks, FYI...
I took my covers to the dry cleaners once and was told that because they had vinyl
panels on the underside, they would not clean them.
YMMV.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Folks, FYI...
I took my covers to the dry cleaners once and was told that because they had vinyl
panels on the underside, they would not clean them.
YMMV.

Dry cleaning is solvent based so its pretty harsh on plastics and foams

 

[dmax]

I removed my covers and put them in the washing machine - came out like new.

 

[dLj]

My dearly beloved washed the covers for our v-birth and cabin...the seals to the windows had been leaking before we purchased the boat and the foam padding looks pretty grim with the covers off - I think it oxidation although it looks like something has dribble worm lines? Is there anything that will get rid of the orange and restore the foam - would bleach destroy the foam? I know it's probably all just cosmetic but 'once you see it you can't un-see' it under the covers and we dont particularly want to go down the route of replacing the foam.

The foam will be quite difficult to clean.

You could try soaking the foam in Woolite - the version meant for hand washing - but it would be quite a set-up with large tanks and a way to get the foam submersed and well soaked. Then you have the multiple rinse steps and the drying step. I did this once many years ago with the interior upholstery of a car but had access to a large industrial cleaning equipment and drying room.

Realistically, your best bet is to either replace the foam or learn to "unsee" what you have seen....

dj