Asked on Oct 17, 2014

How can I clean mildew off red canvas boat cover?

Georgenna Biser
by Georgenna Biser
I've already tried Dawn liquid, Simple Green and a product that was supposed to clean mildew, all to no effect. I don't want to use bleach because of the bright red color of the boat cover.
  16 answers
  • Joedean Small Joedean Small on Oct 17, 2014
    bleach water
  • Shari Shari on Oct 17, 2014
    I would try a product called "Wet & Forget Outdoor." I had read a lot of good things about it so we tried it on vinyl siding and a concrete patio back in the spring. I'm very pleased with the results we got. It cleared up the mildew and has kept it at bay longer than anything else we have tried. This link says it can also be used safely on outdoor cushions and I don't know why you couldn't also use it on your canvas boat cover. It contains no bleach so it is color safe. You don't even have to scrub it--it works on its own with the help of wind and rain. We bought it at Home Depot. http://blog.wetandforget.com/blog/bid/157854/Wet-Forget-Outdoor-Mildew-Remover-For-Patio-Cushions
  • Janice Scully-Kovach Janice Scully-Kovach on Oct 18, 2014
    Bleach and water or try hydrogen peroxide and water too.
  • Tom Parks Tom Parks on Oct 18, 2014
    If your boat cover is made from Sunbrella or Outdura, which are both solution dyed acrylic fabrics, you can use straight bleach on it. Red does fade more quickly than black, green or blue, but the fading is from ultraviolet light. Bleach should not affect it. If it is a polyester blend, there may not much you can do except replace it with a better fabric. Test a small area and give it a day to see what it does to the color.
  • Suz Suz on Oct 18, 2014
    Mildew covered our sunbrella cushions. I removed the covers and threw them in the wash with bleach. Worked like a charm. You could also try vinegar and baking soda, it's great for clothes that have mildewed.
  • Sharon Sharon on Oct 18, 2014
    a product called Spray Nine works - used it on our boat and no scrubbing, worked great
  • Jan Mitchell Jan Mitchell on Oct 18, 2014
    Try using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar?
  • Susan Alkire Susan Alkire on Oct 18, 2014
    Tylex mold and mildew bathroom cleaner. Spray on, let set for about 15-20 mins. Clean off. We use it for camper, boat, resin chairs, siding on house, etc. Wear clothes that's ok to bleach, just in case you get it on them.
  • Suzzie Vanheusen Suzzie Vanheusen on Oct 18, 2014
    Scrubbing Bubbles worked on a vinyl fence with mold, maybe would work for you
  • Melodee Keays Melodee Keays on Oct 18, 2014
    I agree with Jan Mitchell try white vinegar and bicarb.
  • Jane Jane on Oct 19, 2014
    If you don't mind using elbow grease, try a Magic Eraser. It's the only thing that will clean the mildew off my patio furniture.
  • Pamela LaMay Pamela LaMay on Oct 19, 2014
    From my experience DONT use any bleach on your fabric on your boat. While it may not harm the material it will cause the treads used to sew it together to deteriate and bam next thing you know your replacing everything ! :(
  • Pamela LaMay Pamela LaMay on Oct 19, 2014
    Wet and forget it ! Use it !
  • Lynn Lynn on Oct 19, 2014
    if u have a family dollar buy grease lighting spray on for ten minutes and use a brush and it will come right off ,
  • Accentuations! Accentuations! on Oct 20, 2014
    we have used a combination of water and bleach for years. I take a large windex style bottle and fill it 2/3 with water and 1/3 with bleach. Spray on and let set for a bit. Rinse with the garden hose. If you have tough spots you can reapply and scrub a bit as needed. I think it actually helps fend of more mildew.