Cleaning Sail

[davidpm]

This jib is in pretty good shape but has bad spots, I'm thinking mold.
What is the latest on home cleaning methods?

[Squidd]

I had pretty good luck with a Sodium Silicate Detergent soak followed by an Oxalic Acid stain removing wash...

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by Squidd

I had pretty good luck with a Sodium Silicate Detergent soak followed by an Oxalic Acid stain removing wash...

WOW, I'll say. I'm adding that to my list of tips & tricks.

Thanks.

[CalebD]

Vinegar is less acidic then oxalic acid (Bar Keeper's Friend) and kills mildew. Use Bar Keeper's Friend for the badly stained parts.
Both wash off with water.

[oysterman23]

Hi Squid....What concentration of oxalic did you use and how long did you allow it to remain on the sail before rinsing?

[Minnewaska]

Sending a sail out to be professionally washed in a vacuum washer is worth every penny, IMHO. It has to be better for the longevity of a sail than using acid.

[Squidd]

Always sounds more dangerous when you use the chemical name.... If I told you I used "Oxy-Clean" and "Zud" you say "Oh, I can get that at the Dollar Store"..

No telling what industrial duty caustic agents they use at the "professional" cleaners..

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by Squidd

Always sounds more dangerous when you use the chemical name.... If I told you I used "Oxy-Clean" and "Zud" you say "Oh, I can get that at the Dollar Store"..

No telling what industrial duty caustic agents they use at the "professional" cleaners..

Fair point. I'm going to ask.

[meteuz]

Many textile dying processes use acid baths to fix the dye. I believe the impact of even relatively strong acids is fairly low. Strong bases are a different story, so don't wash your fabrics with Drano!

[Squidd]

Originally Posted by Minnewaska

Fair point. I'm going to ask.

Well then find out what they use to resize/restiffen the sails too..

That would be some usefull intel...