Vaccum your boat seats regularly, clean with mild soap, apply protectant, and let them dry naturally. Do not use harsh chemicals, power washers, or scrub brushes on your boat seats.
Do: Vacuum regularly
When it comes to cleaning your boat seats, one of the most important steps is to vacuum regularly. This will help remove dust, dirt, and other debris that can cause wear and tear over time.
Regular vacuuming will also help maintain the original look of the seat material.
Use a handheld vacuum cleaner or a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to get rid of any dirt or debris that has collected.
Make sure to use a gentle setting and be careful not to use too much pressure on the fabric.
Do: Use a mild soap
When it comes to cleaning your boat seats, you should always use mild soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals, as they can damage the material of the seat and cause discoloration.
A gentle dish soap or a mild upholstery cleaner is ideal for cleaning boat seats. Be sure to read the instructions on the product carefully before applying it to the seat.
When applying the soap, use a damp sponge and work in small circular motions to evenly distribute it over the seat.
Allow the soap to sit for about five minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth. After that, you can rinse the area with warm water and allow it to air dry.
Do: Air dry
One of the most important steps when cleaning and conditioning your boat seats is air drying.
After you have applied the cleaning solution, it is important to let your boat seats air dry completely before applying any protectant or further treatments.
You can use an old towel to help soak up excess moisture, but make sure that the fabric is completely dry before moving on to the next step.
Air drying is a simple but essential part of the process and can help to extend the life of your boat seat by preventing mold and mildew growth.
Do: Apply a protectant
One of the most important steps in cleaning and conditioning your boat seats is to apply a protectant. A protectant will help your seats look and feel like new, while also protecting them from the elements.
Choosing a protectant specifically for boat seat use is important, as some can degrade or discolor the material if used improperly.
When applying the protectant, start by wiping down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or residue.
Next, evenly apply the protectant using a clean cloth or sponge. Rub it into the seat in a circular motion until it’s completely covered. Let the protectant sit for 10~15 minutes before wiping off any excess.
Finally, use a soft brush to fluff up the material and restore its texture. This will also help lock in the protectant, providing added protection for your boat seats.
Also Read:
Which Boat Seat Materials Suit Your Boating Style?
A Guide to Boat Upholstery: Which Material Should You Use?
Boating Essentials: Where to Sit on a Boat?
Don’t: Use harsh chemicals
When cleaning your boat seats, it is important to avoid using harsh chemicals. These chemicals can be damaging to the fabric and can cause discoloration.
Instead, stick to mild soaps and detergents that are specifically designed for cleaning fabric. Additionally, make sure the product is non-abrasive and doesn’t contain bleach or solvents.
If you’re still not sure which products to use, consult a professional upholstery cleaner who can recommend the right products and techniques for your particular fabric.
Don’t: Use a power washer
When it comes to cleaning your boat seats, it is important to not use a power washer.
While a power washer may seem like the most efficient and powerful way to clean your boat seats, it can actually damage them in the process.
The high pressure of a power washer can strip the protective sealants off your boat seats, leaving them exposed to UV rays and other elements that can cause fading and cracking.
Furthermore, the high pressure can also damage the stitching and fabric of your boat seats.
If you must use a power washer, keep it on the lowest pressure setting, stand at least one foot away from your boat seat, and keep the nozzle moving while using it.
Don’t: Use a scrub brush
Using a scrub brush is an absolute no-no when cleaning and conditioning boat seats. Scrub brushes are designed to clean tough surfaces and are too harsh for fabric boat seats.
Instead of removing dirt, the bristles can damage and tear the fabric, leaving permanent marks on the seat.
In addition, the force of scrubbing can push dirt further into the fabric, making it harder to remove.
To avoid damaging your boat seats, stick to using mild soaps and gentle cloths to keep your boat seats clean.
What put on boat seats to protect them?
The best choice is to apply a protectant that helps protect the material from UV rays, water, and dirt. This will help keep your seats looking newer for longer.
For vinyl, use a vinyl protectant or guard specifically made for marine-grade vinyl fabric. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully when applying and take care not to saturate the fabric.
For leather or other materials, use a water-resistant fabric guard that helps create a barrier between the elements and your upholstery.
What should you not clean vinyl with?
It is best to avoid using harsh chemicals, such as bleach or abrasive cleaners, on your vinyl boat seat. These can cause discoloration, staining, and cracking.
Additionally, power washers should be avoided as well, as the high pressure may cause damage to the material and stitching.
Scrub brushes should also be avoided as they can also cause tears and wear down the material.
Instead, you should use mild soap and warm water to clean the vinyl boat seat.
Use a soft cloth or sponge and work in small circles. Rinse off the soap and then allow it to air dry completely before applying a protectant to condition the material.
What causes boat seats to discolor?
Boat seats can discolor over time due to exposure to sunlight, saltwater, and other elements.
The ultraviolet rays in sunlight can fade the color of the seats and cause them to become brittle and cracked.
Saltwater can also break down the material of the seats and make them discolored. Exposure to certain chemicals, such as cleaners, waxes, and polishes, can also lead to discoloration.
Heat can also cause fading, especially if the boat is left in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Additionally, dirt, dust, and debris that accumulates on boat seats can lead to staining and discoloration.
How do you keep your boat seats from mildewing?
The first step is to make sure you keep the area around your boat seats clean and free of debris.
This will help reduce the chances of any dirt or debris gathering on your boat seats, which could then lead to mildew growth.
You should also make sure to store your boat in a well-ventilated area that is protected from direct sunlight, as too much sun can cause your boat seat fabric to fade and weaken over time.
Another key step in preventing mildew on your boat seats is to regularly apply a protectant.
This will help create a barrier between the fabric and moisture, making it more difficult for mildew to form. Make sure to read the instructions on the protectant carefully to ensure you’re applying it correctly.
Finally, you should thoroughly clean and dry your boat seat covers after each use.
Even if it doesn’t look dirty, rinsing off the salt water and other debris with fresh water will help prevent mildew from taking hold.
Be sure to let your covers dry completely before putting them back on your boat.
How do you remove stubborn stains from boat seats?
If you have stubborn stains on your boat seat, you’ll need to take extra steps to get them out.
Start by vacuuming the area to remove any dirt and debris. Then, use a mild detergent and warm water to scrub away the stain.
If the stain persists, you can try using a stronger cleaning solution such as a non-abrasive, oxygen bleach cleaner. For extra stubborn stains, try applying a paste made of baking soda and water directly to the stain.
Once you’ve allowed it to sit for an hour or two, scrub it with a soft brush and then rinse it with warm water. Finally, make sure to thoroughly dry the area.
