washing my sails

[randall330]

Is is practical and/or advisable to wash your sails with simple green as you raise them and use the lake water cockpit shower to rinse. The sails should dry as you moto-sail? Anyone have any thoughts?

[Russ]

Not with lake water. Too many things living in there. Too many minerals.

You want to wash with the cleanest water you can.

Do it once a year and hose them off in the boat in the driveway. You mostly want to get dirt off as it acts like tiny grit of sandpaper on the fibers. Salt is the absolute worst.
You can even do it in the bathtub and hang them on a line between trees outside to dry.

I use a mild dish soap. Maybe there is a better soap, but this works for me.


--Russ

[sailboatmike]

Nappy soaker works a treat and gets out those nasty stains, just make sure they are fully dry before storing.

Just for the record, sails should be ROLLED not FOLDED for storage in the ideal world, the creases in the folds break down the fibers in the cloth

[Freedom77]

Never use harsh chemicals. Do you have, or know anyone, who has a swimming pool. Throw the sails in the pool and let them soak for a while. If you have a few kids have them get in and push them around. Take them out. rinse off, and run them up the mast. Don't attach to the boom. just tie off and let them dry. You will be amazed. I've done it and it works Fair Winds and Full Sails...Old Salt