How to Clean Boat Upholstery

Regularly cleaning boat upholstery maintains the appearance of the seats, and experts will tell you that attractive upholstery enhances the resale value of your boat. Here are the simple steps to clean boat upholstery.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Wash cloths
• Vinyl cleaner
• Vinyl Protectant

Instructions

1. Keep it dry. Boat upholstery gets wet from regular use. Wipe down the upholstery and dry it when it gets wet to keep the water from seeping in through the seams and soaking into the foam cushion. Preventing the water from seeping into the foam prolongs the life of the seat and prevents dry rot.

2. Use a mild detergent and water. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap and warm water in a bucket. Wet a washcloth and begin cleaning your upholstery.

3. Buy a vinyl cleaner made especially for boat upholstery like 303 Upholstery cleaner (see Resources below). Spray on the cleaner and wipe off with a clean washcloth.

4. Protect your boat upholstery from sun damage and stains with a product like 3M Marine Outdoor Vinyl Cleaner, Conditioner and Protector. Protectants repel stains to make regular cleaning easier.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use your boat every weekend, wash your upholstery once every three weeks to maintain its quality.

• Spot clean boat upholstery as soon as spills occur to prevent stains from setting.

• Never use bleach or products containing bleach. Bleach will fade any colors in your upholstery and cause them to run. This chemical also eat away at the vinyl.

Resources

• Find additional boat cleaning tips at lakesidecanvas.com.
• Find boat cleaning supplies at discountmarinesupplies.com.