Has anyone found a sail cleaner that actually works?

[jrowan]

So I sent my sails out to be cleaned to my local sail loft over the winter.
I paid them several hundred bucks & expected them to look clean coming back. I specifically told them to treat any rust spots my P.O. made from leaving a metal bungy cord on the main to be treated.

They look no better now then before I spent a lot of money. Of course I didn't notice the stains were still there, until I just hoisted them on the roller furling, & boom, etc.
Does anyone know of a good commercial cleaner or home made remedy that works, but doesn't destroy a stained area by the time you get the stain out? No bleach ideas please. My sails aren't new, but they're not worn out either.
I'd like them to at least look white, not dingy, if possible.

Ideas?

 

[centerline]

acid will remove rust stains... if you trust it on your dacron sails then try it... i wouldnt hesitate to use it on mine, but use at your own risk....
vinegar is a weak acid and oxalic is quite strong... the vinegar will work slow over a couple of hours and the oxalic will remove the stain within 5 minutes.
acid doesnt usually harm most plastics (dacron) or paint, and as long as its kept wetted so it doesnt dry on it, it will rinse away well. use dish soap as a neutralizer when your finished.

 

[LuzSD]

Northsails talked us out of "having them clean" when we had a repair recently! I loved that they knew we'd be disappointed , they gained our respect and we saved all that money! We'll clean it mañana!!!

 

[Fred Villiard]

I've used Sailcare and was quite pleased, they cleaned and did some minor repairs and luff tape on my jib and main, good service.

I had mine done during the winter, right now they might be a little booked.

Fred Villiard

 

[LooseDiamond]

Before the season last year I researched forums/internet and found several threads and advice. I had two headsails that were old and dirty. I soaked the sails in T.S.P. (trisodium phosphate) detergent for 2 days (mine were small enough to fit in bathtub). Rinsed and removed. Hung them outside (tied between trees and fence). Scrubbed rust stains and heavy staining from rubbing the bow pulpit with Barkeepers Friend (2-3x) and rinsed. Scrubbed again with TSP detergent, rinsed well, and allowed to dry. It worked very well. I had sewn in new sail material along the leech for a repair the year before, so it was practically new material and a good comparison. The old sail cloth almost was as white as the new.