I would appreciate some suggestions on how to clean the sails for my Catalina 22. They are not moldy or have mildew, just dirty with smudges on them. Thanks, Bob
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I used a hot tub
I asked the same question a while ago and someone suggested a hot tub. It had cold water and I used no soap, but I just wanted to wash out the salt. If it was my hot tub, I would have used warm water and added al little mild detergent. Rich
I asked the same question a while ago and someone suggested a hot tub. It had cold water and I used no soap, but I just wanted to wash out the salt. If it was my hot tub, I would have used warm water and added al little mild detergent. Rich
Clean anything
Oxi Clean is one of those rare products that lives up to it's hype. Try it you'll like it. Nice non abrasive detergent very user friendly. www.smdistributor.com/houswares/oxi_clean_kit.htm Good luck and good sailing: jim
Oxi Clean is one of those rare products that lives up to it's hype. Try it you'll like it. Nice non abrasive detergent very user friendly. www.smdistributor.com/houswares/oxi_clean_kit.htm Good luck and good sailing: jim
Richard S:
Richard: I do not think that detergent is a good idea. Would just use a soap like Ivory Flakes without Detergent.
Richard: I do not think that detergent is a good idea. Would just use a soap like Ivory Flakes without Detergent.
Soap is Food for Mildew
Second Steves' comment about not using anything with soap. Soap is food for mildew so if you have any mildew problems in your area it would be recommended to avoid anything connected with soap. The problem with using soap is it cannot be 100.00% rinsed out so there is always some that is left behind. In our area mildew is a major problem so during the winter and early spring months the sails, dodger, and many other items are removed from the boat. They don't get as dirty and the fabric and the stiching lasts a lot longer. The hot tub idea for cleaning sounds great!
Second Steves' comment about not using anything with soap. Soap is food for mildew so if you have any mildew problems in your area it would be recommended to avoid anything connected with soap. The problem with using soap is it cannot be 100.00% rinsed out so there is always some that is left behind. In our area mildew is a major problem so during the winter and early spring months the sails, dodger, and many other items are removed from the boat. They don't get as dirty and the fabric and the stiching lasts a lot longer. The hot tub idea for cleaning sounds great!
Good point, but that is not exactly what.....
John: That is a good point. That is not where I was going with the point. Detergents are actually quite harsh. They will remove the sizing (starch) from the materials. There are actually some sail cleaning solutions that you can purchase for this purpose. You may also be able to buy Oxalic Acid in a powder form and mix it in the water in the hot tub. Then you could turn on the jets and really get the sail cleaned well. Home Depot sells some cleaners in their paint dept. but it is already diluted to a solution of about 10% Oxalic acid in a gallon of solution. Do not think that that would be strong enough in a couple hundred gallon tub.
John: That is a good point. That is not where I was going with the point. Detergents are actually quite harsh. They will remove the sizing (starch) from the materials. There are actually some sail cleaning solutions that you can purchase for this purpose. You may also be able to buy Oxalic Acid in a powder form and mix it in the water in the hot tub. Then you could turn on the jets and really get the sail cleaned well. Home Depot sells some cleaners in their paint dept. but it is already diluted to a solution of about 10% Oxalic acid in a gallon of solution. Do not think that that would be strong enough in a couple hundred gallon tub.
Ozone
Bob, Steve, John and all... As I understand it Ozone (O3) is the primary cleaning agent in OxiClean. I believe that sail material has to be able to stand up to some of the harsh environments we put them in. Sun, rain, salt water, strong winds, rough handling all will take an eventual toll. Even mice and mud daubbers are a problem in some areas. And I never would have guessed that mildew might be a problem in the Okla. City area. However, your points are well taken and I enjoy hearing differing points of view.. Thanks to all. Jim Why knot!!
Bob, Steve, John and all... As I understand it Ozone (O3) is the primary cleaning agent in OxiClean. I believe that sail material has to be able to stand up to some of the harsh environments we put them in. Sun, rain, salt water, strong winds, rough handling all will take an eventual toll. Even mice and mud daubbers are a problem in some areas. And I never would have guessed that mildew might be a problem in the Okla. City area. However, your points are well taken and I enjoy hearing differing points of view.. Thanks to all. Jim Why knot!!
Soap and detergent are not the same thing
Soaps contain oils or fats--which is why they're food for molds. And John is also right that soaps can't be completely rinsed out. The ring in the bathtub is a combination of body oils and soap residue. Detergent emulsifies oils and fats, and can be completely rinsed away. However, some detergent cleaning products such as Simple Green also contain solvents--notably butyl--that can be harmful to synthetic materials. Most laundry detergents don't, but some do include chlorine. If you're gonna use any detergent, I'd go with Wisk.
Soaps contain oils or fats--which is why they're food for molds. And John is also right that soaps can't be completely rinsed out. The ring in the bathtub is a combination of body oils and soap residue. Detergent emulsifies oils and fats, and can be completely rinsed away. However, some detergent cleaning products such as Simple Green also contain solvents--notably butyl--that can be harmful to synthetic materials. Most laundry detergents don't, but some do include chlorine. If you're gonna use any detergent, I'd go with Wisk.
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