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JSI >
Cushions > Cleaning 101
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Depending
on the type of
material, here
are basic
cleaning
instructions
for many fabric
cushions:
Please
understand that
these are very
general
instructions and
may not be
appropriate for
your Cushions.
Most or all
of your cushions
have zippers.
There are
several ways to
clean the
fabric, however
cleaning the
foam may be just
as important for
an older boat.
As far
as cleaning the
fabric,
here are the
basic options.
Call a company
like Stanlee
Steemer, Chem
Dry or Service
Star to have
them do a steam
cleaning. It's
just like the
carpet cleaning,
except for
upholstery. Make
sure that you
get a quote
first. I have
heard that it
can be quite
pricey, as in
several hundred
dollars.
The alternative
is to remove the
covers and wash
them in cold or
warm water and Woolite
and line dry. DO
NOT try to speed
up the
process by
putting the
covers in a
drier. If
you decide to do
this, do a
section at a
time and pay
attention to the
way the covers
come off of the
foam and the
orientation. This
will help when
trying to put
the foam back
in.
For the ones
that have
buttons through
the cushions,
you will have to
cut the twine
and retie
the buttons when
the cushions are
restuffed. A
button needle
and some tufting
twine will make
this much
easier. You can
either purchase
one locally or
through JSI.
While the covers
are off of the
foam, it would
be a good idea
to clean the
foam. If you are
sailing in a
salt water
area, salts from
seawater, along
with body salts
get into the
foam and hold
moisture. The
foam also tends
to get a funky
smell after 4-5
years. If you
have a swimming
pool or
Jacuzzi, chlorinate
the water and
insert each
piece of foam
and leave for 15
or 20 minutes.
Remove and stand
on edge to dry.
Do not lay flat,
as it will take
longer for water
to evacuate when
laying in its
own puddle. If
you have a pool,
you likely have
a drain around
the deck. Stand
the foam up over
the drain and
the water will
just drain
away.
If you don't
have a pool, go
to a big box
store and buy a
blow up pool.
Preferably one
that is may 6x8
feet. Fill it
with enough
water to cover
your foam. Pour
in a half bottle
of bleach and
insert a piece
of foam. Since
you will need to
reuse the water
for each piece,
you will need to
try to reclaim
as much water
out of each
piece of foam,
rather that
sending it down
the drain. This
will likely cost
about $30.00 and
take several
hours of your
time.
It will likely
take 24 hours
for the foam to
dry. Once it has
stopped weeping
water, you may
be able to
move it to a
climate
controlled area.
That should help
get the last
bit of moisture
out.
The above
process
has
proven to even
get rid of
diesel odors.

Steve Meadows
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