Cleaning Boat Seats: A How-To Guide

With warmer weather rapidly approaching, you're likely ready to get your boat out of its winter storage and into the water. Of course, you may need to do some work to get your boat in optimum condition for full enjoyment. Before inviting your friends to the lake for a day of boating fun, you'll want to tackle the task of cleaning boat seats. Although the marine vinyl typically used to upholster boat seats can withstand repeated use, you'll want to have a good understanding of how to clean vinyl boat seats to keep them looking good for years to come. Review our how-to guide for help.

Cleaning Boat Seats

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Cleaning boat seats may seem straightforward, but when you take proper care of your boat, you'll want to make sure you have the tools and knowledge necessary for cleaning boat vinyl upholstery. For example, taking your boat out on the water and not cleaning the seats afterward could allow biological growth such as mold and mildew to form on the vinyl seats. If left unchecked, this mildew can wreak havoc on your boat's seats. Regularly clean and inspect the upholstery on the seats in your boat. The following steps will help you form good habits when cleaning boat vinyl seats:

1. Inspect the Boat Seats

First, inspect the seats thoroughly. This inspection will give you an idea of the job you have ahead of you. You'll be looking for any significant damage to the seats, signs of mildew or mold, and the amount of dirt present on the seats after you bring the boat out of storage for the season. Once you know what cleaning your boat seats will entail, you can move on to the next step, gathering supplies.

2. Gather Cleaning Supplies

You might be wondering what to use to clean boat seats since the material is different from coverings on the seats in your car and home. You'll want to have the following supplies on hand to ensure you properly clean the seats in your boat:

• A vacuum or shop vac that's portable and easy to maneuver.
• A few cloths for both scrubbing and drying.
• A soft brush or old toothbrush that can get into cracks and crevices.
• Dish soap or a marine-grade vinyl cleaner.
• Mildew remover, if necessary.
• A good UV protectant formulated for marine vinyl boat seats.

Armed with these cleaning supplies, you'll be well-prepared for cleaning the seats in your boat. Once you're out on the water, you can relax and enjoy your company and your tunes with a set of REVO Series Tower Speakers from Wet Sounds.

3. Vacuum Up Large Particles

Start cleaning your boat seats by vacuuming up any large particles, such as sticks, pine needles, or crumbs from the snacks you enjoyed the last time you took out the boat. You'll also be able to get much of the dust and debris that may have accumulated while the boat was in storage. Try to get in the crevices, underneath the seats, and around the seat edges for the best results. A portable shop vac works well for this job, but you can also use your home vacuum's attachments to accomplish this task.

4. Wipe Down Vinyl Upholstery

After you've vacuumed up the dust and large particles, you'll be ready to break out your clean cloths. The best way to clean boat upholstery is with either a marine-grade vinyl upholstery cleaner or some water and a little dish soap. Use the cloths to wipe down every visible surface of your boat's seats, looking for damage and signs of mildew and mold as you go.

5. Conduct a Thorough Scrubbing

Part of how to clean boat upholstery includes conducting a thorough scrubbing. Bring out your scrub brush or old toothbrush. You'll want to get in all the tiny cracks and cervices that you couldn't reach with the vacuum or cleaning cloths. As you loosen dirt and grime, you may need to go over the seating surfaces with a cloth again to remove any built-up material. When you complete this step, use another clean cloth to dry the seats. Never allow your boat seats to air dry, which can cause cracking in the vinyl.

6. Make Any Needed Repairs

As you clean and inspect your boat's seats, you may notice small tears, rips, or cracks in the vinyl. If caught early, you can probably repair this damage yourself. Purchase a marine vinyl repair kit. This kit will have instructions for its use, but keep in mind the following general tips:

• Make sure the damaged area is clean and dry.
• Use only the materials supplied in the kit.
• Follow all directions provided with the kit.
• After application, use high-grit sandpaper to smooth over the spot.
• Paint the repaired spot if the color doesn't match the color of your seats.

7. Apply UV Protection

The last step in the boat seat cleaning process is to apply some UV protection. The seats in your boat are exposed to the elements every time you take it out on the water and sometimes when it's simply sitting in your driveway or storage facility as well. Be sure to apply UV protection material to every exposed surface of the boat seats and that the UV protectant you use is made for boats.

Other Things To Know About Keeping a Boat Clean

Keeping a boat clean requires vigilance on your part. After being out on the water all day, you probably don't feel like scrubbing down your boat. However, if you want to keep your boat in tip-top shape, this cleaning isn't something you should skip. Not only do you need to wipe down the seats after every use, but you should also clean the exterior of your boat to prevent transporting invasive marine species, such as zebra mussels, from one body of water to another.

Owning a boat can provide plenty of summer fun. If you want to add to the excitement of your boating experience, check out the selection of dynamic marine audio accessories offered by Wet Sounds.