Thought on Sail Washing Reconditioning?

[rognvald]

I had my main and genoa reconditioned a few years ago by the Lemauney process at Sailcare. The sails looked like brand new and were as tight as new once raised. I highly recommend their service and their company.

[davefromoregon]

I am about to buy a boat that is otherwise very clean, but there is mold on the sails. What do most people do remove this? Are there options other than sending them off for professional cleaning?

[Markhunter1097]

Dave from Oregon, Small sails are easy to clean yourself with soap, water and bleach. There are plenty of recipes online you can search for, all a little different, yet they do the same.
If though your sails are big, then you really don't have much of a chance, and you will have to get a professional to clean them for you. Check the process first, any abrasion, pressure hose washing, or tumbling does not do your sails any good at all. Cost wise, should be about 10% of the replacement value, so worthwhile to do if your sails still have life in them.

[sailorboy1]

I figure rain is for cleaning sails.

And sailing is to kill mold on sails.

[bletso]

I just finished washing two very badly stained sails. I used Oxyclean™ and Simple Green™. I didn't have high hopes, but they turned out fair. Sail Cleaning | Sailing Vessel Vigah They were really bad and of course all my fault!

[Tellus]

Originally Posted by savoir

Sail washing is a waste of time and money. At most give your sails a hosedown once a year - or go for a sail in the rain.

The only must in this area is that you must never bag your sails for the winter while they are wet lest you find them all black, spotty and mouldy next year.

Here in Europe people may have other experiences...
Sailcleaning - RED GULL - Sailcare and regeneration for your Sails