Dry cleaning cushion fabric?

[Dean Abramson]

Our interior cushions smell like...well, 24 years of diesel, mildew, head, whatever. Not too strong, but strong enough. I am wondering if taking the covers off and having them dry cleaned would help in the odor department.

Does anybody have any thoughts on this?

Thanks,

Dean

[Dean Abramson]

I have seen one website which recommends using Servpro or Stanley Steemer.

Has anyone tried that on your interior cushions?

Dean

[D Rush]

The owners manual for my 1978 CD25 says 'that the cushion covers are made of nylon and should be wash with 50/50 solution of "Lestoil" and water'.

Do they still make Lestoil?
I just took the covers of my cushions and will clean them tomorrow.

[seadawg]

I have the old orange plaid originals. I ran them through the washer on gentle cycle and hung them up to air dry. They came out looking very nice and clean. There is no doubt that they are starting to degrade after 24 years but they were thus before I cleaned them.

[Woody]

For what it is worth, I took my cushion covers to a local laundromat and used one of the big FRONT LOADER. Used cold water and dried on delicate cycle. Came out PERFECT!!!!!! Mine are the velor type from an 84 36' model. Good luck.

[Dean Abramson]

Man, I really appreciate the common sense that's out there, guys.

Thanks for saying "put 'em in the washing machine, dummy."

We did them one at a time in our little apartment-sized front-loader, and they came out fabulous. Now, if we can get the foam back in!

We washed the foam too. (Not in the washing machine.) I would say we are in Day One of maybe a four-day drying period for the foam.

[D Rush]

I went the "Hand Washing" route. I hand washed my 1978 cushion covers (Tan & Gray on one side, blue & green on the other) this morning. I air dried the covers.
While the cushion cover are still the same ugly color & pattern combination, the colors are brighter and the nylon material is much nicer to the touch.

[oldragbaggers]

I took the cushion covers off of our 1981 CD-22 and washed them and they literally fell apart in the washing machine.
I want to clean the ones on the 1982 CD-28 we just purchased but now I'm a scaredy cat.
They were both the original factory plaid stuff.
Anyone else have that experience?

[Wayne Grenier]

I have washed my cushion covers in the washing machine without any problems- you can use either a home washing machine or one at the laundromat-on gentle-if they fall apart you needed new ones-I would not wash the foam-it might never dry-you will find out real quick if it is "closed cell"foam that can get wet or the less expensive kind--I spray it with a mixture of water and bleach in a spray bottle and you might notice a piece of thin plastic sheeting inside the cushion-the original installer usem back inside the cushion!d to to make the foam slide around easier-it is a workout to get the foam back in-
If the cushions re not too bad I use a "simple green " carpet cleaning machine on them-without removing the foam-

[Dean Abramson]

Wayne,

I am thinking you are right, that washing the foam my not have been our best move. I do think they will dry eventually, but it is a chore to haul them into the sun each day, then back inside (into my photo studio) for the night.

We chose not to try to really wring them out. The bigger berths were made of a few pieces glued together, and in general, we were afraid of maybe tearing them. So they are sitting on edge, gradually draining. But it is a glacial process. I am still betting on four days, but I may be dreaming. My experience is that they will dry: we once had some cockpit cushions with regular foam that got left out in the rain and we got them to dry out eventually.

Dean

[Judith]

Dean, you might be able to speed the drying process by blotting. Lay foam out on an old beach towel (e.g.,), throw another on top, gently roll everything up like a jellyroll for an hour or so. When you unroll it, towels will be wet, having absorbed some of the moisture. . .If you don't want to do the rolling part, layer with towels, then just apply gentle pressure.

This is also an excellent way to 'wring' out delicate hand-washables, such as sweaters or lingerie

Signed, Heloise

[Dean Abramson]

Judith,

It's about damn time we had our own Heloise on this board!

Remember, once assumed, this title may never be revoked.

Thanks for the tip. Makes me want to do laundry.

Dean

[Michael Abramson]

I see that failing to get that Home Economics merit badge in the Scouts has come back to haunt you.

M

[Judith]

I see that failing to get that Home Economics merit badge in the Scouts has come back to haunt you.

M

Gosh, I am really hoping that comment is directed at Dean

Judith (aka Heloise)

[Phil Shedd]

Dean

Last year we cleaned the covers and foam. The covers we machine washed with good results.

The foam had taken on a diesel/boat/mildew smell that we thought would mean we needed new foam. We decided to try to wash them. I got a industrial disinfectant/detergent that was low foaming. The active chemical is quatinary ammonia. I used a large new garbage can with water and the right amount of detergent. Roll up the foam one piece at a time and place it in the can. Move the foam around as much as possible then let soak for a while . Ring out or roll out as much liquid as passable . Then change liquids to water only and repeat to rinse. We rolled up the foam with a towel to get the worst of the water out . We air dried for a few days but they were still damp. I then placed the foam in the garage attic where it was a lot hotter. They were dry after a couple days.

The other way to get the water out is to make up a vacuum bag out poly film and use a shop vac to remove air and water. With a vacuum on the bag role some thing over the foam to help get rid of the water.

The end result for us was a much much freshed cushion and a fresher boat.


Good luck

Phil