Given the large sums of money involved in operating a private or charter yacht, it makes sense to maintain the vessel properly. This means keeping everything clean and tidy to ensure its flawless appearance, paying as much attention to the cushions and finishing touches as larger, more obvious on-board items.
At Eclipse Yacht Furnishings, we specialize in producing high-quality yacht upholstery, working with a range of different materials including cotton, vinyl, fine synthetics, linens, silk and leather. We understand that sometimes furnishings succumb to the general wear and tear you might expect from heavy usage, but there are a few things you can do to maintain the quality of your yacht upholstery.
Every yacht has at least one luxurious interior space where guests can relax – it’s where most of the socialising and relaxation takes place on board. This means it’s used extensively and prone to guest spillages. Cushions often bare the brunt of such accidents, so we’re going to focus on this often-ignored interior accessory and help you keep them looking as good as new for as long as possible.
Vacuuming cushions and upholstery
When it comes to general cleaning, a vacuum cleaner is the most common appliance that people reach for first – and with good reason. Most vacuums come equipped with additional attachments that are specifically designed for upholstery and are therefore perfect for cushions. It’s a quick and easy way of removing hair, crumbs and any other loose dirt.
It’s worth noting that vacuuming only removes debris from the top of the cushion; it does not remove any particles that sit deep within the fabric – A deep clean is required to tackle this. Vacuuming should be seen as an effective way of cleaning cushions day-to-day, supplementing the significant deep cleans that take place between charters. If used in this way, yacht cushions can be kept looking fresh for a longer period of time.
Washing yacht cushions
If you’ve encountered a stubborn stain, such as a spilt drink, cleaning it might require the use of more heavy-duty products and water. You will also need to address the spillage as quickly as possible with a microfiber cloth before it embeds into the cushions fibers. However, it’s equally important that you lightly dab the area, taking care not to scrub it. Pushing down too hard will only serve to embed the spillage further down into the fibers.
The most commonly used cleaning aids are solvent-based cleaners and the type of stain you’re dealing with will determine how many applications of cleaner you’ll need. Things like blood and grease can be tough to remove and will most probably need a few rounds of cleaning, while other stains may only require one or two.
If the covers are removable, then there is the potential for a more thorough wash, either by hand or in the washing machine. However, if you’re considering putting your cushion covers in the washing machine, we strongly advise that you check the label first to make sure it’s safe to do so.
Drying yacht cushion covers
Once you have washed your covers (whether by hand or by washing machine), they will need to be dried out. The best way to do this is by drip drying in the shade. It’s a good idea to keep the covers out of direct sunlight, especially if you are in a location with a very warm climate, as exposure to strong sunlight can potentially bleach some fabrics.
It’s also a good idea to avoid tumble dryers as there’s a chance it could cause the covers to shrink or fade. To remove some moisture, you can use the tumble or fluff setting without heat and then let the fabric air dry.
Anti-mold cushions
Cushions located on the deck are exposed to all winds and weather types, as well as salty sea air and ocean spray. These conditions are perfect breeding grounds for mold. It can form quickly and, when it does, the offending upholstery will need to be replaced. This can quickly prove to be a time-consuming and costly exercise.
At Eclipse Yacht Furnishings, we produce our very own AireMaze yacht cushions, which are anti-mold and will stand up to the elements for a prolonged period of time. We use DuPont material because it doesn’t absorb water, meaning our cushions have an increased lifespan in comparison to other upholstery.
Our AireMaze yacht cushions are fully recyclable, so they’re environmentally friendly too. When the time comes for you to order replacement pieces, we’ll happily dispose of the old ones for you.
Invest in a specialist cleaning team
If you have stubborn stains on your yacht upholstery, you might decide that it’s necessary to call in a professional cleaning company. There are many benefits to hiring professionals, including the fact they have industrial-quality equipment and expert knowledge. It’s recommended that yacht upholstery has a deep clean fairly regularly, especially if it’s in constant use. Large stains, deep stains, or old stains might need special cleaning fluids and the expertise of a certified cleaning technician.
We hope this article has given you some helpful advice on how to clean and maintain your yacht cushions. They are exposed to a lot on board, so it’s good to know what you can do to keep them ship-shape for as long as possible. Eventually, they will need to be replaced, and when that time comes you will understandably want the process to be as easy as possible.
At Eclipse, we offer a digital measuring service that enables us to reuse the measurements we take again and again whenever you need them. So, if you’ve exhausted all of your cleaning options and are in need of a new cushion cover, we can send you a replacement wherever you’re located.
If you would like further information on our AireMaze cushions or digitized refit services, contact us today. A member of our expert team will be more than happy to help.