Now that boating season is over, it’s important to store your boat correctly. But what about your custom boat cover? If you’ve spent the money on a new custom boat cover from Canvasworks, it’s essential to know how to care for it properly. Taking the extra steps to clean and store your boat cover the right way is the best way to make sure it will last for many years to come.

 

In this post from Canvasworks in Cokato, Minnesota, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about boat cover care. Check out this guide, and then give Canvasworks a call for all of your boat cover needs.

 

What Not To Do

Before you start cleaning, we have a few quick tips to make sure your cleaning process doesn’t cause damage to your cover. Remember, gentle is the word of the day when cleaning your boat cover or boat lift canopy.

 

1.      Never clean your boat cover with a power washer, which can damage the protective covering. Instead, use a low-pressure garden hose.

2.      Don’t use hard-bristle brushes or scrub your cover hard. Always use gentle brushes and pressure.

3.      Avoid using cleansers or detergents. They will also strip the protective coating. 

4.      Don’t use bleach on your cover. Some fabrics can handle bleach, but most threads cannot, and it will cause your thread to rot.

 

Cleaning Your Boat Cover

Now that you know what not to do, follow these steps to properly clean your boat cover:

 

1.      Gently wipe or blow away debris from your boat cover before getting started, since scrubbing debris on top of your boat cover can cause damage to the finish.

2.      Using a low-pressure garden hose, rinse your cover.

3.      Next, use a soft bristle brush to apply a solution of soapy water to your boat cover. We recommend a solution of 2 ounces of mild soap to 1 gallon of warm water.

4.      After applying the solution, allow it to sit on the cover for a few minutes.

5.      Now scrub your cover gently to remove any dirt or staining.

6.      After cleaning, rinse the cover thoroughly to remove all of the soap.

7.      Make sure your boat cover is completely dry before storing. Storing your boat with any amount of moisture can foster mold growth or deterioration of the fabric.

Storing Your Boat Cover

Once you’ve cleaned your boat cover, it’s time to store it for the season. First, here are a few quick tips for storing your cover:

 

1.      Never use your summer cover for outdoor winter storage.

2.      Store your boat cover off of the floor to avoid rodent damage.

3.      Be sure to repair any damage to the fabric before storing it. If there are any tears in the material or damaged snaps, call Canvasworks right away.

 

Now that you’re ready to store your cover for the winter, follow these steps to minimize the chance of damage:

1.      After cleaning and drying your boat cover thoroughly, roll it up. Make sure it is completely dry. Failure to do so can lead to mold and mildew damage.

2.      Tie the rolled-up cover with a rope.

3.      Store your cover by hanging it from the ceiling or rafters of the storage area to reduce the chance of animal-related damage.

Repairing a Damaged Boat Cover

If your boat cover sustained damage during the warm weather months, Canvasworks can repair it so you can store it safely for the winter, where it will be ready to use again when you need it in the spring. To schedule your boat cover repair services, call Canvasworks in Cokato at 320-559-0165 or contact us online to learn more about boat cover repair, storage, and cleaning.