View Single Post
  #4   Report Post  
posted to rec.boats.cruising
 
Posts: n/a
Default Boat Cushion Cleaning Question

Fabric cushions? Or vinyl ones?

Let's assume fabric.

Get yourself the following:
* High-power wet/dry ShopVac or a Bissell Little Green Clean Machine
* Hi-Temp Protein Stain Remover
(http://www.topoftheline.com/proteinstainremover.html)
* an All Purpose Cleaner (APC)
* a pail
* a medium hardness nylon bristle brush
* a good spot remover (as used for clothing)

Then:
* Vacuum the cushion, upholstery or carpet
* Mix some Hi-Temp Protein Stain Remover with a dash of APC and a pail
of warm/hot water
* Stir it up with the brush and let it sit for 5 mins for the HPSR and
APC to dissolve in the water
* While waiting, spray your spot remover onto the surface generously,
concentrating the spray on the heavier soil spots
* Scrub the solution into the fabric/upholstery/carpet. What I do is
hold the brush in one hand and scoop some water with my other hand onto
the surface. Work in small squares (1'x1') when agitating and scrub
front to back, left and right, repeating over each swipe. You will see
the solution saturate the fabric. Just scrub the solution in and move
on to your next area.
* When the entire area is saturated, begin where you begun scrubbing
the first section. Proceed to extract the water solution out of the
fabric/carpets/upholstery. I usually take the filter out of the ShopVac
(more suction) for this and move slowly over the surface to insure
complete extraction of the solution. A Bissell Little Green Clean
Machine will provide better results as it spits water (I suggest the
non-heated version, just fill the reservoir with hot water) at the
carpet before sucking it up. Rule of thumb with the LGCM is to use the
hot water spray until you can see there is no longer dirty water being
sucked up (the extractor head is clear to see the water).
* When done, the areas will be damp. Leave the hatches open or place
cushions/upholstery in the sun. It should be dry in an hour or three,
depending on relative humidity.

Cheers