How to Clean Your Sails 

Practical Sailor made a great decision hiring Tim. His content is always high quality.

Very detailed instructions, but what Tim didn’t mention is that if it’s all too hard for you then there are professional sail cleaners who can do the job for you at a fraction of the cost of replacing. Some of his photos used are in fact from professional sail cleaners websites, so no doubt some of the information too. Small sails diy is easy, larger yachts, best to seek out a professional. Keep up the good videos, unique delivery style.

Only had to do it once, but borax worked for me. I never even knew what it was. Good information, Tim. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us weekend wind burning warriors.

This video was helpful, as I recently had to clean mildew stains from my sails. Here's my experience. I got new Dacron sails last season. I'm sloppy and don't rinse my sails or fold them. (I'd rather spend my time sailing than fussing with sails.) Over the winter some water got in my boat, so the sails sat in a very humid environment, and mildew formed. The mildew was very dark and noticeable. I tried Borax, expecting an immediate result (I should have been more patient). Then I switched to Oxiclean and let it soak in a trash can of water. Still no immediate result, but after an overnight soak, most of the dark mildew stains had faded some. After another day even more were faded and some were even gone. At this point it was good enough - from a distance it wouldn't look horrible. But I was busy and didn't get around to it for another few days. After about a week of soaking, all the mildew stains were completely gone. There is no evidence of them. However, another problem showed up: The clear window was now cloudy. So I researched how to polish clear vinyl and ordered some supplies. But by the time I got them, the window completely cleared up. Maybe it just needed to dry out some more, or maybe a couple hours in a hot car did something. I don't know. Maybe just sunlight would have killed the mildew, but it's nice to know that soaking in Oxiclean is effective. Borax probably would have worked, too, if I let it soak. Next up: I also have a rust stain. Some internet wisdom says tough luck, it's never going to come out. Neil Pryde recommends Whink Rust Stain Remover. I'll try that this week and see what happens. If it doesn't come out, I'll put a small circular piece of Dacron sail repair tape over it and be done with it.

Needless to say, I have saved this for future reference. Thanks, Tim n Team. Fair winds

Good information without dumbing things down like most mainstream info. I want the technical details not marketing or proprietary nonsense. Thanks!

Very informative, thank you :) saved so I can refer back to it when needed!

Great Video, we'll share this with our sailors when they ask about cleaning sails.

There is a difference between spots and stains Spots are on the outside of the fibers and stains are inside of the molecules/pores of the fiber. Most of what you mentioned works on spots and will not work on stains. Bleaching doesn't remove the stain it just removes the dy for the fibers, if you have poly fibers bleach will make it turn purple Most sails are poly fibers which are oil based and are impossible to stain. It's very important to know your material,and the laminate/glue holding the fibers together

Great informarive video, thank you.

What about careful use of a power washer?

Great video Thx for it 🙂

What about white vinegar... Like the 16-20% stuff?

What do you use to clean millions of small bugs that settled on the sails, and then were pancaked into the sails as they were flaked? How do I get bug guts out of white dacron?

I always tell people to go to a manual carwash. Bring a tarp and dont get to close with the pressure washer.

I need a spread sheet for fhis in table form.

baby johnsons cant go wrong

Also you can not dissolve a spot or stain,that is impossible You can loosen and break into smaller particles but it will not dissolve.. Until there is a heat transfer,solvent transfer or its vacummed or lifted off its still there.. Also you cant clean acid with an acid...in the world of chemistry acids always go down Tim i love you to death but most of this video is wrong

bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

55 gallon plastic barrels. Good soaking right there