![]() Mildew tends to regrow in the same location over time. Monitor the area and make sure to treat it any time it begins to grow darker. Spray your sail and let it soak in before scrubbing and finally rinsing off your sail. Mix one cup of non-chlorinated bleach with a small amount of soap per gallon of water. Chlorine free bleach is recommended as it is less acidic. ![]() Similarly, mildew stains cloth and depending on the severity of the growth you may be left with a light grey stain. Bleach can damage your sail over time so be sure to rinse thoroughly with clean water after cleaning. This will kill the mildew and release it from the fabric. (This is why it is important to keep up on your sail maintenance and store them properly.)įor cleaning Mildew use a diluted bleach and water mixture. By washing the area with soap after using the chemicals you can reduce the red stain from red to a faded red. While these cleaning agents will help to remove the rust there is often no way to fully reduce the red stain left behind. They also both dry quickly which make them ideal for spot cleaning your sail before storing. These chemicals are excellent at releasing deep dirt and stains from most cloth. Cleaning Mildew and Rustįor cleaning rust stains and marks try using acetone or rubbing alcohol. Cleaning your sails is a good maintenance task to do annually or seasonally depending on your climate conditions. This will prevent mildew from growing on the sail when furled or inside its sail bag. Ideally wash you sail right before going cruising as it will dry thoroughly when fully exposed to the sun and wind. Make sure the sail is completely dry before flaking and storing it. Once you have finished scrubbing the effected area rinse with clean water and let dry. If your sails are in good condition you may simply only need to spot clean rather than wash the entire sail. Locate the areas that are the dirtiest (when spot-cleaning) and begin to lightly scrub with the wet sponge. Once laid out fill your bucket with water and dilute some soap in it. First, lay your sail out on a clean flat area. The best way to clean your sails is by hand with a clean sponge, a bucket of water and liquid soap. Note: Rust and mildew stains may not be totally removed from your sail, but their appearance can be reduced by following these cleaning methods. ![]() Regardless if you have noticed your sails becoming dirtier after pulling them out of storage or unfurling them this guide is aimed at helping reduce and remove mildew, rust and other markings on your sail. Rust stains can form on your sail from many different metal attachments or wires that are not stainless steel or properly protected to prevent rusting. While chemical treatments are available and have been applied to many sails during production to reduce the forming of mildew, they are not very strong or often have worn away with time. Mildew can also form on the inside of laminate sails this requires a more thorough cleaning procedure and is better left to professionals. Similarly, the smooth surface of laminate sails makes an ideal home for mildew to form easier. If you are sailing in tropical conditions are have stored your sail directly after wet weather has set in there is an increased risk of mildew forming. Mildew forms on sails when water is trapped between layers of material with little to no air flow. Mildew is apparent on woven and laminate sails alike with a black blotchy appearance. And second, it is important to recognize that while unsightly and reducing the visual appeal of your sails there is no other effect as far as performance is concerned. First, mildew is a common occurrence on sails. ![]() Often, sails will be taken out of storage or unfurled, and the dreaded black blotches of mildew will rear their ugly head. ![]()
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