How to Clean Boat Carpet Mold or Mildew
You can't ask for a much better place for mold to develop than in a boat, particularly in the porous spaces of a carpet that's been used in a boat. Mold is not only unsightly, it can present health hazards to those who are sensitive to it, in particular respiratory distress. Even if you have a boat carpet that's greatly affected by mold, you may still have an opportunity to clean it and return it to service with some vigorous cleaning.
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Things You'll Need
- Garden hose
- Spray nozzle
- Shop vacuum
- Bucket
- Bleach
- Water
- Stiff-bristled broom
- Clothesline
Instructions
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1
Remove the carpet from the boat and place it on a level surface large enough to spread out the entire carpet.
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2
Use a garden hose and spray nozzle and spray both sides of the carpet, top and bottom, to remove any loose dirt.
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3
Use a shop vacuum to suck away any excess water from both sides of the carpet.
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4
Prepare a bucket with a solution of one cup household bleach to one gallon water. Depending on the size of your carpet you may need more than one gallon of this mixture. A five-gallon bucket works well.
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5
Pour the solution over the carpet, spreading it evenly. Then work the solution in with a stiff-bristled broom and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse the carpet thoroughly with the hose.
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6
Suck up excess water with the shop vac, turn the carpet over and repeat Step 5 on the other side.
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7
If mold is still in evidence, repeat the application of the bleach and water mixture on both sides.
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8
When the carpet is clean, give it a final rinse with the hose on both sides, then remove excess water with the shop vac. Hang the rug over a clothesline and let it dry thoroughly before placing it back in the boat.
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Tips & Warnings
Check your carpet for colorfastness when using bleach by testing the solution in a unobtrusive location.
It's not always possible to clean mildew from a severely stained carpet. You may need to discard the carpet if it won't come clean.
Wear old clothes when working with bleach.
If you're sensitive to mold, wear a filtration mask when removing and cleaning the carpet.
References
- Boat Maintenance: The Essential Guide Guide to Cleaning, Painting, and Cosmetics; William Burr; 2000
- Cleaning Plain & Simple: A ready reference guide with hundreds of sparkling solutions to your everyday cleaning challenges; Donna Smallin; 2005
- Boat Maintenance: The Essential Guide Guide to Cleaning, Painting, and Cosmetics by William Burr (Hardcover - April 28, 2000)
