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How to Remove Stains from Boat Covers

How to Remove Stains from Boat Covers
Read Time: 14 Minutes
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Keep your boat cover looking fresh and mildew resistant by taking care of stains right away. Sunbrella® and SharkSkin® marine fabrics are resistant to mildew growth, however, mildew can grow on dirt or other substances that are not properly removed from the fabric. If an accident happens on your boat cover, make sure to take care of it as soon as possible with these simple steps.

Sunbrella® and SharkSkin® boat covers can be treated with a bleach solution, but this super power does not translate to other surfaces. Remember to protect the area around your boat cover if using a bleach solution. Carpet or other fabrics that are not made with Sunbrella® or SharkSkin® marine fabrics may have an adverse reaction to the bleach.

To ensure your cover continues looking its best for years to come it's important to perform the recommended monthly cleaning and deep cleaning when needed. Learn more in our boat cover cleaning guide about how to care for your cover.

However, if you find yourself facing a stain on your boat cover it's important to deal with it swiftly and appropriately. Below is a breakdown of some common stains and how to remove them.


What's your boat cover stain?

Stain: Berry

Recommended Cleanser: one fourth cup dishwashing liquid and one half cup - one cup white vinegar per one gallon water.

Commercial Cleanser: Upholstery Cleaner Like Resolve

Stain: Dried Ketchup Stains, Bird Droppings, Mustard, Coffee, Cola, Raw Egg, Grape Juice, Milk, and Tea

Recommended Cleanser: Combine one fourth cup dishwashing liquid per one gallon water.

Commercial Cleanser: Upholstery Cleaner Like Resolve

Stain: Butter, Grease, Oil, Paint (latex, oil, or lacquer), Salad Dressing, Shoe Polish, Suntain Lotion, Tomato Juice, or Tree Sap

Recommended Cleanser: Apply cornstarch as an absorbent, remove excess with a straight edge, clean up residual with dishwashing liquid and water.

Commercial Cleanser: Upholstery cleaner such as Resolve® or strong degreaser

Stain: Beer, Food Color, Vomit, and Urine

Recommended Cleanser: Combine one fourth cup dishwashing liquid and one third cup white vinegar per one gallon water.

Commercial Cleanser: Upholstery Cleaner Like Resolve

Stain: Blood (dried)

Recommended Cleanser: Combine one fourth cup dishwashing liquid and one half cup - one cup ammonia per one gallon water.

Commercial Cleanser: Hydrogen peroxide and upholstery cleaner such as Resolve®

Stain: Charcoal or Pen Marks

Recommended Cleanser: Vacuum, then clean with one fourth cup dishwashing liquid per one gallon water.

Commercial Cleanser: Upholstery Cleaner Like Resolve®

Stain: Chewing Gum

Recommended Cleanser: Treat with isopropyl alcohol. Then clean with one fourth cup dishwashing liquid per one gallon water.

Commercial Cleanser: Upholstery Cleaner Like Resolve®

Stain: Chocolate

Recommended Cleanser: Combine one fourth cup dishwashing liquid per one gallon water and rinse thoroughly.

Commercial Cleanser: Upholstery Cleaner Like Resolve®

Stain: Crayon

Recommended Cleanser: Treat with isopropyl alcohol. Then clean with one fourth cup dishwashing liquid per one gallon water.

Commercial Cleanser: Carbona™ Stain Devils for Ink and Crayon

Stain: Nail Polish, Ink(ballpoint,india)

Recommended Cleanser: Treat with volatile solvent (acetone 100%). Then clean with soap and water and rinse thoroughly.

Commercial Cleanser: Upholstery cleaner such as Resolve®

Stain: Iron Rust

Recommended Cleanser: Treat with CLR® and rinse thoroughly.

Commercial Cleanser: Rust remover such as CLR®

Stain: Kool-Aid

Recommended Cleanser: Combine one fourth cup dishwashing liquid per one gallon water and rinse thoroughly.

Commercial Cleanser: Upholstery cleaner such as Resolve®

Stain: Mildew

Recommended Cleanser: Combine one fourth cup dishwashing liquid and one cup bleach per one gallon water.

Commercial Cleanser: No commercial cleaner recommended. A stronger percentage of bleach may be necessary for severe mildew.

Stain: Shoe Polish

Recommended Cleanser: Apply heated iron over towel. Apply cornstarch as an absorbent, remove excess with a straight edge, clean up residual with dishwashing liquid and water.

Commercial Cleanser: Upholstery cleaner such as Resolve®

Stain: Wax (candle)

Recommended Cleanser: Apply heated iron over towel. Treat with isopropyl alcohol. Then clean with one fourth cup dishwashing liquid per one gallon water.

Commercial Cleanser: Wax remover such as Car-bona™ Stain Devils for Glue, Gum, and Nail Polish

Stain: Wine

Recommended Cleanser: Combine one fourth cup dishwashing liquid, one third cup white vinegar and one half cup - one cup isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide per one gallon water.

Commercial Cleanser: Upholstery cleaner such as Resolve®


Videos

Berry
  1. Clean dried berry pieces from your Sunbrella® boat cover.
  2. Spray with water to soften smaller remnants for easier removal.
  3. Spray with ¼ cup of dishwashing liquid and ½ cup of white vinegar and water mixture.
  4. Agitate with a soft brush and spray with bleach water if needed.
  5. Rinse with water, pat dry, and then air dry.
Dried Ketchup Stains, Bird Droppings, Mustard, Coffee, Cola, Raw Egg, Grape Juice, Milk, and Tea
  1. Remove the dried pieces form your Sunbrella® boat cover.
  2. Mix soapy water mixture of ¼ cup dishwashing liquid with one gallon of water.
  3. Spray with soapy water mixture and then bleach water if the mixture is not successful.
  4. Agitate with a soft brush.
  5. Rinse with water, pat dry, and then air dry.
Butter, Grease, Oil, Paint (latex, oil, or lacquer), Salad Dressing, Shoe Polish, Suntan Lotion, Tomato Juice, or Tree Sap
  1. Spread cornstarch on the spot to soak up the oil.
  2. After your wait for two minutes, use a spoon to scrape up the cornstarch.
  3. Spray with soapy water.
  4. Rinse with water, pat dry, and then air dry.
Chocolate
  1. Remove the dried pieces of chocolate from your Sunbrella® boat cover.
  2. Then spray with soapy mixture of 1/4 cup of dishwashing liquid with one gallon of water.
  3. Agitate with a soft brush and then spray with bleach water.
  4. Rinse with water, pat dry, and then air dry.
Wine
  1. Soak the area with clean water.
  2. Then spray with a mixture of 1/4 cup of dishwashing liquid, 1/3 cup of white vinegar, and 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide per one gallon water.
  3. Agitate with a soft brush.
  4. Rinse with water, pat dry, and then air dry.


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