Cleaning sails?

Can you use any soap to clean sails or just water? No stains or anything they have just been laying in a garage for years so I thought cleaning was in order.

_________________
Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

Any mild detergent will work. Davis Foaming Sail Cleaner is good for stains, but too expensive for general cleaning.

Be judicious with a scrub brush - you'll prematurely age the sail.

I wash my sails when they're on the boat, with the boat flipped over in the back yard. Prop the end of the mast on a saw horse and keep the sail sheeted in to keep it off the ground. Wash/rinse one side, then flip the boat and do the other side. Rinse again while vertical and let dry thoroughly before storing.

All,
I had to borrow a friend's Tequila Sunrise sails while I wait for my sails to be repaired from a dismasting. His sails are extremely stained. I used soap and a scrub brush to clean the dirt off the sails but there are many dark stains left. There was even moss growing on the sails. I tried a mild bleach solution but that didn't even lighten the stains.
Does anyone have any ideas on getting these sails clean. I sure would hate to go sailing around on the freshly restored hulls with these severly stained sails. It would be like driving a Ferrari with ripped seats!!
Thanks!

_________________
Eric Weller
2006 F18 Capricorn
1980 H16
Keep the pointy side up!

Thanks!

_________________
Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

Eric,

I found this article: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-main ... aning.html

_________________
Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

That is a great article. Unfortunately, I am pretty certain that these stains are permanent. I tried Barkeeper's Friend, bleach and soap to try and remove them but they are still very visible.
Fortunately, my sails should be repaired by next week so I only have to use these for one weekend. We will look like the Beverly Hillbillies on the lake with the stains showing on these sails.
Everyone should be aware that storing your sails properly is the only way to keep stains from permanently marring your sails.


Thanks!

_________________
Eric Weller
2006 F18 Capricorn
1980 H16
Keep the pointy side up!

I just make sure my sail is dry then roll it up and put it in my sail box and so far I have not had an issue and I only sail in salt water. I rinse it with fresh water every 2-3 uses.

_________________
Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

Bummer - I can't believe someone let it get that dirty.

I have a really clean sail - except for one LARGE RUST STAIN! (any tricks?) appears to be from rolling it wet and one of those gromets in the sail rusted (they appear to be brass? ) anyway - it's a good 2 inch stain that ruins my day... Was thinking about a sticker or TELL needs to be placed there. = )

Would power washing be too rough on sails?