Sail cleaning advice

[Peter1949]

What do you use to clean sails? I have mildew on my headsail and I no better to use bleach. Any suggestions that has worked for you.
Thx Pete

[Island Time O25]

https://www.practical-sailor.com/boa...mildew-onboard

[Jono as 2234]

What I do for dirty and mould stains is get a garbage wheelie bin, put the sail in and chuck in two tubs of NappiSan or similar and fill with water. Leave for a week in the sun, shake often. Works petty well

[GordMay]

“MILDEW ON SAILS: WHAT TO DO” ~ North Sails
➥ https://www.northsails.com/blogs/nor...ils-what-to-do

“...
Mildew is not a structural problem.
Mildew is ugly.
Sail owners get a little uptight when their sails turn black and splotchy ...

... In our experience, once a sail has had a mildew problem, it will probably always have a mildew problem. A good cleaner can reduce the black spots to dirty white spots, but if the boat stays in the same area where the mildew started, the spots will soon be gray, and then it’s only a matter of time before they are black again...”

[Peter1949]

Thx all for the imput-I will try oxi clean and see if that works!

[Chotu]

i miss the days of small boats. with my first boat (23ft) i used to take the sails off each season and take them in the shower with me to clean them ha ha

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

https://www.practical-sailor.com/boa...mildew-onboard

Not really the correct article. This one is on sails and fabric.

https://www.practical-sailor.com/boa...-sail-cleaning


The answer is two-step. Physical dirt removal with any of many cleaners, and then percarbonate (Oxiclean) for the stain. Read the above article. Safe for most sail fabrics if used as directed. This is what the pro sail cleaners use. Also, don't aim for perfection on the first go. The Oxiclean will weaken the mildew stain and the sun will often finish it off.