The covers of these cushions were recently done over, however the foam has a slight mildew odor. What are some ways to clean the foam? I've heard soaking them in soapy water with bleach in the bathtub is one way to go, any other ideas? Is bleach too corrosive for the foam?
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Why not redo the foam too.
William: I would suggest that you replace the foam too. This makes the biggest difference in sleeping & sitting comfort.
William: I would suggest that you replace the foam too. This makes the biggest difference in sleeping & sitting comfort.
Replace the FOAM
After spending the time and money to have the covers remade, replace the foam w/ a good medium weight XL foam. New foam will not only make the cushions look better, be more comfortable, last as long as the covers, but also not stink. Do the right thing for your boat.
After spending the time and money to have the covers remade, replace the foam w/ a good medium weight XL foam. New foam will not only make the cushions look better, be more comfortable, last as long as the covers, but also not stink. Do the right thing for your boat.
I washed mine
No bleach - was told it would damage the foam. Used laundry detergent in a bath tub. Good results, but it took days and days for them to dry in high summer! I've done some pretty labor intensive DIY projects - this one might top the list. My boat is an '86 H23. A complete set of new covers and foam was going to cost somewhere between 1/4 to 1/3 of what I paid for the boat. Even so, if I had a do over, I'd probably shell out the $ given how committed we've grown to this boat. You can buy foam and have it cut, or cut it yourself. Getting all the bevels, curves and angles just right will be tricky. Chances are U.S. Yacht Cushions was the OEM supplier and has the specs on file. They will make you replacements for a reasonable cost and will do as little or as much of the work as you want them to. Since you already tackled the covers, you've saved a good bit of the cost. Getting a good quality foam cut to fit won't be cheap though, given the price of oil these days. I don't think U.S. YC has a web site, but their phone # is in the archives.
No bleach - was told it would damage the foam. Used laundry detergent in a bath tub. Good results, but it took days and days for them to dry in high summer! I've done some pretty labor intensive DIY projects - this one might top the list. My boat is an '86 H23. A complete set of new covers and foam was going to cost somewhere between 1/4 to 1/3 of what I paid for the boat. Even so, if I had a do over, I'd probably shell out the $ given how committed we've grown to this boat. You can buy foam and have it cut, or cut it yourself. Getting all the bevels, curves and angles just right will be tricky. Chances are U.S. Yacht Cushions was the OEM supplier and has the specs on file. They will make you replacements for a reasonable cost and will do as little or as much of the work as you want them to. Since you already tackled the covers, you've saved a good bit of the cost. Getting a good quality foam cut to fit won't be cheap though, given the price of oil these days. I don't think U.S. YC has a web site, but their phone # is in the archives.
car wash
I took mine to a coin car wash and just soaped them up real good and then rinsed and allowed to dry , the oder was greatly reduced.
I took mine to a coin car wash and just soaped them up real good and then rinsed and allowed to dry , the oder was greatly reduced.
Bag it!
What I discovered worked well was after cleaning I then wrapped the foam in large plastic bags (not sealed / obtained from a mattress store) and then placed the fabric covers back on. Although you really shouldn't seal the bag completely (it needs to compress) it will reduce the oders and spills from penetrating the foam.
What I discovered worked well was after cleaning I then wrapped the foam in large plastic bags (not sealed / obtained from a mattress store) and then placed the fabric covers back on. Although you really shouldn't seal the bag completely (it needs to compress) it will reduce the oders and spills from penetrating the foam.
Upholstery Supply Store
Locate an wholesaler for upholstery supply foam and they will cut the foam for your skins. If you cannot find a local supplier, you can contact Foam Rubber Products at the attached link. Foam Rubber will cut the foam to fit your skin.
Locate an wholesaler for upholstery supply foam and they will cut the foam for your skins. If you cannot find a local supplier, you can contact Foam Rubber Products at the attached link. Foam Rubber will cut the foam to fit your skin.
Carpet deodorizer
I let mine lay out in the sun for a few hours but in Cape Cod you may have to use carpet deodorizer. It comes in powder form and you just use a little bit.
I let mine lay out in the sun for a few hours but in Cape Cod you may have to use carpet deodorizer. It comes in powder form and you just use a little bit.
Mildew control in foam cushions:
Get some paraformaldehyde crystals (listed as toxic in some states - wont be able to buy it there) Take the cushions and put them into a STRONG plastic bag Close the bag with nozzle of a vacuum cleaner into the bag and suck the cushions 'down into a teeny little knot'. Do this several time to ventilate the cushions. Take the paraformaldehyde crystals, wrap in cloth muslin, put the 'wad' into the bag with crystals, pump the air out and seal the bag. The paraF will kill the mold and its spores. Store the bags outdoors for several days. After several days, open the bag & remove the ParaF, pump the cushions a few times to change the air. Put in a few "sheets" of fabric softener, pump down, let sit, then change the air again. (Put ParaF inside your boat when long term stored - 'air' the boat sufficiently before going below.) Should last for about a season. To prevent mold/mildew.... remove the fabric from the foam, get thin latex sheeting (from upholstery supply) and put over the 'top' of the foam. Will prevent 'body smells' from getting into the foam. If there is nothing for the mold to 'feed on' the mold wont grow. hope this helps.
Get some paraformaldehyde crystals (listed as toxic in some states - wont be able to buy it there) Take the cushions and put them into a STRONG plastic bag Close the bag with nozzle of a vacuum cleaner into the bag and suck the cushions 'down into a teeny little knot'. Do this several time to ventilate the cushions. Take the paraformaldehyde crystals, wrap in cloth muslin, put the 'wad' into the bag with crystals, pump the air out and seal the bag. The paraF will kill the mold and its spores. Store the bags outdoors for several days. After several days, open the bag & remove the ParaF, pump the cushions a few times to change the air. Put in a few "sheets" of fabric softener, pump down, let sit, then change the air again. (Put ParaF inside your boat when long term stored - 'air' the boat sufficiently before going below.) Should last for about a season. To prevent mold/mildew.... remove the fabric from the foam, get thin latex sheeting (from upholstery supply) and put over the 'top' of the foam. Will prevent 'body smells' from getting into the foam. If there is nothing for the mold to 'feed on' the mold wont grow. hope this helps.
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