How do I remove mildew stains from a lifejacket ?
To remove mildew stains from a lifejacket, there are a number of stain-removing products on the market based on bleach or white vinegar. To keep your lifejacket in good working order, regular cleaning and maintenance are highly recommended.
Mould, enemy No. 1 of lifejackets
We've all had to deal with mold stains on a lifejacket. Learning how to remove them without damaging your safety equipment is a key step in the life of any good sailor. Whether you're looking for an effective maintenance product or an old-fashioned remedy, we've got all you need to know about mildew treatment and safety equipment.
With constant contact with sea water, lifejackets can quickly deteriorate due to the presence of mildew stains. To maintain your lifejacket and minimize visible mildew spots, it's essential to perform a few simple steps after each use.
To avoid this, you should rinse your lifejacket thoroughly in fresh water, then air-dry or dry it indoors in a well-ventilated room. However, with all the moisture encrusted on lifejackets, mold stains are very often unavoidable and easily develop on this type of textile. Mildew forms rapidly within a foot, and improperly cleaned, these stains can significantly degrade the fabric of your lifejacket.
Like all garments, the textile parts of a lifejacket are susceptible to the formation of mildew, which can stain, alter or even destroy the fibers. Mildew generally feeds on the textile material on which it settles. It can therefore attack any type of fiber, even synthetics such as polyester or nylon, which are widely used in lifejackets. Be sure to clean your automatic lifejacket as soon as the first spots of mildew appear.
Products to use
To carry out this cleaning process, you will need a number of specific products and accessories:
- Bleach
- Sponge
- Brush
- Garden hose
- Bucket
- Cloth
- White vinegar
- Lemon
- Salt
With these products, you have all the tools you need to maintain and clean your safety equipment. You'll also find a range of easy-to-use and highly effective cleaning products.
Gestures to perform
You need to take a precise approach with these products to obtain a powerful remedy against mold and bad odors.
- Place the juice of a squeezed lemon in a bowl and add a pinch of salt.
- Fill a bucket with bleach
- Add the lemon salt from the bowl
- Wet a sponge and rub the mold until the stain disappears
- Wipe with a dry cloth
- Rinse with a hose until all bleach is removed
- Dry vests outdoors
- Store dry vests to prevent mildew from forming
Our homemade, eco-friendly mold recipe
To effectively remove mildew stains from any fabric, and especially from your lifejacket, you can also use an original method with an effective and environmentally-friendly home preparation.
The method in detail :
Take a tube of toothpaste and mix it with a sachet of baking powder.
Soak a simple brush in the mixture
Scrub the mildew until the stains disappear completely.
These methods are particularly effective. They both combat unpleasant odors and eliminate mold spots almost instantly.
If stains persist, there are also easy-to-use, high-performance, ready-to-use mildew removers on the market. The main function of these products is to clean mildew stains and prevent their development. Nautisports.com, a specialist water sports retailer, offers a Matt Chem mildew remover at the best price, ideal for all types of marine clothing.
Test your vest!
Now as good as new, or nearly so, all you have to do is test your lifejacket before setting out on the water again in complete safety. If you have any questions about how to care for your lifejacket, don't hesitate to consult our online guide, or contact us by e-mail or telephone.
