Boat carpet cleaning ?

[willyb]

My carpet in my boat needs to be cleaned. I was going to use some carpet cleaner on the bad spots. But after reading DrDetroit tread about fish attractants and what Richard said about sun screen on the hands now i am thinking twice about it. Do you guys think the smell of the carpet cleaner will transfer over to my lures when laid on the front deck of the boat.

 

[dtw2]

go to car wash and use pressure wand and the soap, then rinse. works good. spot free rinse might be even better lol

 

[Buoy-Master]

Ditto...BUT, there is a sweet trick I read on here once and it works!

When the carpet is just about dry yet wet to the touch, take diluted fabric softener or some fabric freshener spray and mist the deck really good. Take a brush (good nylon bristle, kind with a handle found at walmart or somewhere) and comb the carpet to where it fluffs or stand the carpet up...let it dry. Looks great!

 

[BulletTJ]

Get a 5 gallon bucket of hot water, add a couple of scoops of Tide laundry detergent. Mix the Tide in the hot water until desolved. Wet your carpet with water hose, then pour a some of the Tide water on the front deck and scrub with a stiff bristled brush. Then just repeat the process working your way to the rear of the boat. Start at the front of the boat and and rinse with water until all soap is gone. Shop vac the carpet to remove most of the water. If you want the carpet to feel and look like new you have one more step.
Get a spray bottle. Something with a trigger will be easier to use. Make a 50/50 blend of warm water and Downey fabric softner. Your carpet should still be damp from the first step. Starting on the front deck and working your way to the rear of the boat. Spray the carpet and use the stiff bristled brush and brush against the grain of the carpet. This will make the carpet stand up and it will feel as soft as new carpet. Once you have covered all the carpet, rinse with water until water is clear. Take the shop vac and vaccuum the excess water from the carpet. Vaccumm against the grain and use the brush to help the carpet stand up. Allow carpet to air dry. It is work but I promise you when you are done your carpet will look new. The Downey will also act as a stain guard. I do this once a year and it keeps the carpet looking new. Hope this helps. If you have questions just send me a PM.

 

[foodsaver]

I use bleach to clean the carpet. I tested way up in the console to ensure that it was safe for my carpet and it didn't bleach it out at all. I mix a pretty strong bleach solution and it takes everything but rust stains out for the most part.

 

[willyb]

Thanks guys i will try these.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Bleach? Will that not burn the fibers after time? I wouldn't dare!

 

[Dropshot]

I read in Bassmaster one time to use White Vinegar in a diluted form to clean the carpet. Supposedly will fluff it back up also...