[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference unifix::sailing

Title:	SAILING
Notice:	Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:	UNIFIX::BERENS

Created:	Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:	Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2299
Total number of notes:	20724

1114.0. "diesel smell in upholstery" by BLAKLY::RADKE_HO () Fri Jan 27 1989 18:48

    We recently purchased a sailboat that had been closed up and not used 
    for a year or so. The interior had a distinctive aroma of "rich" bilge 
    water and diesel. We have thoroughly cleaned the bilges and the entire 
    interior of the boat. Even after washing in soap and warm water the 
    upholstery (standard synthetic fabric) still has a rather strong diesel 
    smell. As near as I can tell the odor has not penetrated into the foam 
    rubber, it seems to only be in the fabric. Any ideas on how to rid the 
    fabric of this smell short of replacing them?
    
    	Howard

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1114.1	Yak...	NEWVAX::KAPUSCINSKI	Oh no...not another boat	`Fri Jan 27 1989 23:11`	12
	It appears to me that if you still have a strong oily smell then the soap has not soaked through and the thin layer of diesel remains in the fabric. The only way I can think about removing it is by multiple washing cycles and prolonged soaking. Try this 1/2 cup bleach, 1 cup WISK , 1 gallon lukewarm water. Soak it for 30 minutes then wash it in the automatic washer on the cold cycle using 1 cup bleach, 1 cup soap flakes. Do not use hot cycle for drying. Good luck. Igor.
1114.2	dry cleaning?	CADSYS::SCHUMANN	Say NO to bugs	`Sun Jan 29 1989 22:49`	5
	I don't know whether dry cleaning would remove this odor, but you could try one piece and, if successful, do the rest. --RS
1114.3	Fresh air will help	DASXPS::LANE		`Mon Jan 30 1989 12:55`	10
	I had a similiar problem with a boat I bought in January, a few years ago. I stored the cushions in the cellar at home for a few months, then spread them in the sun on the lawn one weekend in early spring. The smell disappeared. While storing, try to arrange so that air can flow between the cushions. Regards, Rick
1114.4	Try Lemon Juice	SALEM::KLOTZ		`Wed Feb 01 1989 13:28`	10
	I think bleach might destroy some fabrics. You might try washing in cold water on a gentle cycle with a little lemon juice in the water. A side advantage is it will kill off any resident mildew spores. Just a thought, Lou
1114.5	DONT mix chlorine bleach.....	THEPOD::PEASE_DAVE	I said Id have to think about it	`Wed Feb 01 1989 13:31`	9
	>> 1114.1 Be careful about casually mixing bleach and other soap products. Some of the mixtures will release free chlorine gas, which can be dangerous, irritating, and deadly if you put up with the irritation enough. Dave
1114.6		CECV03::WARDROP		`Mon Feb 13 1989 22:35`	7
	RE: .-1 Chlorine and Ammonia is a definite no no. Don't ever mix. A vinegar rinse is good for removing some kinds of odors. Don't know if it will help your deisel fumes. Rick,
1114.7	The Solution	BLAKLY::RADKE_HO		`Thu Feb 23 1989 12:38`	8
	Just as a follow-up to my base note - we removed all of the cushions and first hand washed them using Cold Water All, then washed on gentel cycle in the washing machine using warm (not hot) water, then line dried. In addition to removing a lot of old dirt, the smell disappeared. Thanks for your comments. Howard