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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Washing Sails

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justinkonecny
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/18/2014 : 10:34:12

I pulled one of my jibs and was delighted to find that the previous owner had a cat who pissed all over it. Last night I sailed it around in hopes of removing/lessening the odor, but no luck. Looking online I found that there are places you can send a sail, but I hope to use it next weekend for a camping trip on Blake Island. Has anyone had experience in removing unwanted aromas or cleaning sails?

Edited by - on

dasreboot
Admiral

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803 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2014 : 10:56:35

potomac sailmakers washes sails. ANy large sail loft should have a source. have you tried a scrub brush and bucket of soapy water in the back yard?

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2014 : 11:34:24

http://cleansails.com/" ]Clean Sails" target="_blank">There&apos s a place called [url=" http://cleansails.com/" ]Clean Sails on Bainbridge Island that cleans sails, but you probably don't want to take a ferry over to do that. However, they do have pickup points, but you need to email or call them to find out what they are. I'd bet one of them is the ferry dock in Seattle.

Here's a link to SailRite's page on cleaning them yourself: http://www.sailrite.com/Cleaning-Dacron-Sails-Canvas-Sunbrella-Instructions

Edited by - delliottg on 07/18/2014 11:42:39

justinkonecny
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2014 : 12:13:11

http://cleansails.com/" ]Clean Sails" target="_blank">Thanks for the info. They have a two week turn-time and I was looking to get this done before next weekend. I&apos ll give the washing myself a shot and send if off if needs be. br / br / Thanks again br / br / blockquote id= quote font size= 1 face= Verdana, Arial, Helvetica id= quote quote: hr height= 1 noshade id= quote i Originally posted by delliottg /i br / br / There&apos s a place called [url=" http://cleansails.com/" ]Clean Sails on Bainbridge Island that cleans sails, but you probably don't want to take a ferry over to do that. However, they do have pickup points, but you need to email or call them to find out what they are. I'd bet one of them is the ferry dock in Seattle.

Here's a link to SailRite's page on cleaning them yourself: http://www.sailrite.com/Cleaning-Dacron-Sails-Canvas-Sunbrella-Instructions

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2014 : 08:56:38

Ballard Sails is a dropoff point for one of the sail washing places. I don't know what the turnaround is like.

You can get enzyme based cleaner that will neutralize cat urine owners and which is unlikely to damage the sail. Any pet store will have it. It won't do anything to help staining.

It sounds like you have multiple jibs. At this time of year a genoa is probably all that you need, if it is one of the smaller ones then I wouldn't worry about not having it for a week or two.

Edited by - on

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2014 : 05:41:58

I found this on another WEB site. I have not tried it.

I have used 1 gallon of bleach, 1 container of oxy-clean with 1 small box of mild detergent used for hand washing delicates, in a 55 gallon plastic barrel. Let soak for 2 hours with some agitating then reversed the sail in the barrel, because it wants to float, then repeated the process. Then 3 good rinses and the 135% looked like new. The sail is dacron and this is common practice with many sailors I have talked to in my area. Worked for me.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2014 : 08:25:41

I am such a slob, I have never washed a sail, I don't even scrub mud daubber nest soil off. I believe in leaving what ever stiffness is left alone.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5232 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2014 : 09:12:20

Word of caution about using bleach on your sail. If you do, use a very tiny amount - very diluted. 2nd, spray it on or brush it on with a scrub brush, then rinse it off within 5 minutes.
I use a large dock to wash my sails every spring.
First I wash down the dock with the scrub brush and dilute dishwashing detergent.
Then I wash one side of the sail, rinse it off, then wash the other side, then rinse it off.
Then I bend on the sails and rinse them again while open. This is a lot of fun if there's any wind. Prepare to get WET!

Edited by - Voyager on 07/25/2014 09:13:17

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