With summer coming to a close, it’s time to prepare your boat for the off-season. No matter how you store your boat for the colder months, preparing your boat is essential so it’ll look pristine next summer.
Follow these easy tips to keep your marine fabrics looking brand new and your boat at its best for many seasons to come.
Clean Your Boat Fabrics
Thoroughly clean your boat, top to bottom, inside and outside, before putting it away for the winter. Every detail of your boat should be inspected and cleaned, including a thorough cleaning of any and all fabric, like upholstery or canvas tops.
Cleaning Marine Upholstery Fabrics
For general cleaning of your marine upholstery fabrics:
- Prepare a cleaning solution of ¼ cup mild soap, such as Woolite® or Dawn® dishwashing liquid, per gallon of lukewarm water. You can also use 303® Multi-Surface Cleaner for an all-in-one surface cleaning formula.
- Use a sponge or soft bristle brush to clean, allowing the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Allow the fabric to air dry.
To clean stubborn stains with marine upholstery fabric:
- Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and ¼ cup mild soap, such as Woolite® or Dawn® dishwashing liquid, per gallon of water.
- NOTE: Please be aware of the environment when cleaning with bleach. Bleach can have harmful effects on the natural environment around you. We do not advise using bleach if you are surrounded by a body of water or other environment that could be affected.
- Spray on entire area and allow to soak into fabric for 15 minutes.
- Remove stains with a sponge, clean towel, or very soft bristle brush.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Allow the fabric to air dry.
After a thorough cleaning with bleach, or after years of use and exposure, you may choose to refresh your fabrics with an appropriate retreating agent. We recommend 303® Fabric Guard.
To retreat your fabric:
- Clean Sunbrella fabric, using one of the cleaning methods outlined above.
- Allow Sunbrella to complete air dry.
- Apply retreatment in a well-ventilated area, following instructions on the container.
Cleaning Sunbrella Horizon Marine Vinyl
There are several methods for cleaning Horizon marine vinyl. Check out our How to Clean page for full details of every method, and a chart detailing the best method for different types of stains and spills.
For general cleaning of your Sunbrella Horizon marine vinyl:
- Clean with a soapy water solution, such as 4 ml (1 teaspoon) of mild soap (e.g. Woolite® or Dawn®) to 250 ml (1 cup) of water.
- Blot excess moisture with a clean, dry towel, soft cloth, or napkin.
- For stubborn stains, use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
- Rinse thoroughly with water until all soap is removed.
- Allow fabric to air dry.
Heavy Cleaning of Sunbrella Horizon Marine Vinyl
Sunbrella Horizon fabric does not promote mildew growth. However, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric.
For mildew and other stubborn stains:
- Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach: 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of water.
- NOTE: Please be aware of the environment when cleaning with bleach. Bleach can have harmful effects on the natural environment around you. We do not advise using bleach if you are surrounded by a body of water or other environment that could be affected.
- Apply and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes.
- Remove stain with a non-abrasive sponge, towel or very soft bristle brush.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Allow fabric to air dry.
- If stain and/or mildew are severe, bleach quantities may be increased.
- If necessary, acetone may be used to remove nail polish.
Winterize Your Boat
After a thorough cleaning, you may need to winterize your boat. Winterizing your boat is a list of preventative measures to ensure your boat doesn’t incur damage over the coming winter months. Boating Magazine has a great list of tips to follow to make sure your boat will be in top condition come spring.
Discover Sunbrella Marine
At Sunbrella, we are passionate about helping you have the best-looking craft on the water. For more ideas, check out our Marine Inspiration or Browse our Marine Upholstery Collection.
