How To Clean Pontoon Boat Seats Effectively In 2023

Reviewed By Boatsbuilding Expert

Cleaning pontoon boat seats is a great way to keep your boat looking and feeling its best. Pontoon boat seats are prone to mold and mildew growth due to their proximity to water, so regular cleaning is essential.

Knowing the proper technique for cleaning the seats is also important to ensure you don’t damage the fabric or other components.

This guide will teach you the necessary steps to properly clean your pontoon boat seats and keep them looking new.

With the right cleaning supplies and a bit of elbow grease, you’ll be able to maintain your pontoon boat’s seats and extend their life.

So let’s get started and learn how to clean pontoon boat seats!

Gather the necessary cleaning supplies

Before cleaning the boats seats, you’ll first need to gather the necessary cleaning supplies. The type of cleaning supplies you choose will depend on the style of seats you have.

You’ll want to use a safe cleaning solution for the type of fabrics your seats are made from.

You’ll want to use a cleaning solution free of oils and cleaning agents that could deteriorate the vinyl for vinyl seats.

These cleaning agents can leave a residue and cause damage to the vinyl over time. For canvas seats, you’ll want to use a cleaning solution free of oils and detergents that can cause the fabric to deteriorate over time.

It’s also important to avoid cleaning agents that may leave a residue. For metal seats, you’ll want to use a cleaning solution that doesn’t leave behind a residue.

Vacuum the seats

If you have a powered vacuum, now would be the time to break it out. You’ll want to vacuum the seats before you start cleaning to remove any loose dirt or grime on the seats.

This will make the rest of the cleaning process much more manageable. The vacuum should have a long attachment made from a soft material.

The long attachment will help you get into the cracks and crevices of the seat without causing damage.

You’ll want to avoid using a stiff brush or attachment that could cause damage to the seat.

Remove any surface grime

After vacuuming the seats, you may notice that there’s still some surface grime that needs to be removed.

You’ll want to use an anti-fungal spray to kill the mold and remove the surface grime for mildew or mold.

Be careful when spraying the seat to avoid getting the spray on any other areas of the boat where it isn’t intended.

You’ll want to use a cleaning solution free of oils and detergents for dirt, dust, and other particles.

You’ll want to avoid cleaning agents that contain oils as they can deteriorate the seat over time. A good cleaning solution to use for this step is dish soap.

Clean and rinse the seats

Now that you’ve removed loose dirt and grime from the seats, it’s time to clean them.

Start by mixing up a cleaning solution in a bucket with warm water and a cleaning agent free of oils and detergents.

Using a sponge or cleaning cloth, clean the seats by scrubbing them with the cleaning solution.

Be sure to scrub in straight lines to avoid causing any damage to the seat.

Once you’ve finished scrubbing the seat, it’s time to rinse the cleaning solution from the seats and bucket.

You’ll want to use clean water to rinse the cleaning solution from the seats. Rinsing the seats with clean water will help remove any residue from the cleaning solution.

After cleaning and rinsing the pontoon seats

After cleaning and rinsing the seats, you’ll want to allow them to dry. The best way to do this is to place a towel or a drying cloth over the seats and leave them alone to dry.

The cloth will help absorb any remaining water and leave the seats dry and ready to use again.

It would be best if you allowed the seats to dry completely before storing them away. If the seats are still wet, they can cause damage to your boat or other items in the boat.

Moisture in the air can also grow mildew or mold if not dried properly, so it’s important to allow the seats to dry before storing them.

Apply a protectant

After allowing the seats to dry, you’ll want to apply a protectant to help maintain the seats and keep them looking new.

For vinyl seats, you’ll want to use a protectant that’s safe for vinyl. These protectants will help keep the vinyl from deteriorating over time and may contain anti-fungal agents that kill any remaining mildew and mold spores.

For canvas seats, you’ll want to use a protectant that’s safe for canvas. These protectants will help keep the canvas from deteriorating over time and may also contain anti-fungal agents that kill any remaining mildew and mold spores.

For metal seats, you’ll want to use a protectant that’s safe for metal. These protectants will help keep the metal from rusting and may also contain anti-fungal agents that kill any remaining mildew and mold spores.

Clean the vinyl seats

Cleaning vinyl seats is a relatively simple process, but it should be done correctly to ensure they remain in good condition.

Before you begin, ensure all dirt and dust are removed from the surface of the seat by wiping it down with a damp cloth.

Once the surface is free of debris, use a mild detergent or car upholstery cleaner to clean the seats.

Apply the soap or cleaner to the cloth, not directly to the seat, and scrub the entire surface.

Rinse the seats off with a clean damp cloth and allow them to dry completely before using the vehicle.

You may need a soft brush to remove stubborn stains or dirt from the seats. Once the seats are clean and dry, you can apply a vinyl protectant to help keep them looking their best.

Clean the canvas seats

The first step is to vacuum the canvas seat to remove dirt, dust, and debris. Make sure to use an upholstery attachment and be gentle while cleaning so you don’t cause any damage to the fabric.

Next, you’ll want to use a mild detergent solution to spot clean any difficult spots or stains.

To make the detergent solution, mix one teaspoon of mild liquid detergent with a quart of warm water.

Dip a clean, white cloth in the solution and gently dab at the stained area until it is clean. Make sure not to scrub too hard, as this may damage the canvas fabric.

When you’re done spot cleaning, you can use a large sponge or cloth dampened with warm water to wipe down the entire seat.

Once you have finished wiping down the seat, use a dry cloth to absorb any excess moisture.

Finally, allow the canvas seat to air dry completely before using it again. This will help prevent any mildew or mold from forming on the fabric.

And that’s it! Cleaning canvas seats isn’t as daunting as it seems, and following these steps should help keep your seats looking great for years to come.

Clean the metal seats

For metal seats, you’ll want to use a cleaning solution that’s safe for metal and won’t leave behind any residue or cause damage to the fabric.

You may want to start with a dry cleaning solution before you apply the cleaning solution.

A dry cleaning solution like Pledge’s Sweat, Dust & Allergen Furniture Spray can help loosen up and break down any dirt or grime on the metal.

Once the metal is clean, you can then apply a cleaning solution. Read the cleaning directions on the cleaning solution to avoid damaging the metal.

Tips for Keeping Your Seats Clean

Now that you know how to clean pontoon boat seats, it’s important to understand how to keep them clean. Keeping your seats clean will help extend their life and keep them looking new. Here are a helpful tips for keeping your seats clean.

  1. Keep away from eating or drinking on the seats. These activities will leave behind crumbs and other debris that can cause damage to the seats and collect in the fabric.
  2. Don’t bring pets on the seats. Pets can scratch or tear the fabric and leave behind fur and dander that can collect in the seats.
  3. Avoid storing items on the seats. Things such as life jackets or fishing gear can collect moisture and cause damage to the seats over time.
  4. Avoid getting the seats wet. Water can collect in the fabric and cause mildew and mold growth.
  5. Don’t leave the seats in the sun. The sun can damage the seats and cause them to fade.
  6. Clean the seats regularly. Cleaning the seats regularly will help prevent mildew and mold growth.

FAQS

What’s the best thing to clean boat seats?

Cleanliness is a key factor in maintaining the longevity of your pontoon boat seats. If you want to keep them looking fresh and new, you’ll need to clean them regularly. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your pontoon boat seats:
1. Start by vacuuming the seats. This will help remove loose dirt and dust.
2. Mix a mild detergent and warm water in a bucket. Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the seats with this solution, starting from the top and working your way down. Make sure to reach into all the nooks and crannies.
3. Rinse the seats with clean water and then dry them with a clean cloth.
4. For tough stains, you may need a more powerful cleaner, like a mild bleach solution or a specialized vinyl cleaner. Test any cleaner on a small seat area first to ensure it won’t damage it.
5. Once the seats are dry, apply a protectant such as a marine-grade vinyl conditioner to help keep them looking newer for longer.
Finally, once you’re done cleaning your pontoon boat seats, be sure to store them in a dry place to prevent damage from moisture and UV rays. With proper care and maintenance, your pontoon boat seats will look great for years to come!

How do you remove stubborn stains from boat seats?

Removing stubborn stains from boat seats can be difficult, but it is possible with the right cleaning supplies and techniques. The first step is to identify the type of stain you are dealing with, as this will determine the cleaning product that should be used. A mild detergent or soap solution can be used for general dirt and debris. A stronger degreasing agent may be needed for oil-based stains, such as engine grease. A scrub brush or soft cloth can also help agitate the stain for better results.
For tougher stains, such as coffee or red wine, a gentle spot cleaner can be applied directly to the affected area. Let the cleaner sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Additionally, a mixture of baking soda and water can create a paste that can scrub away the stain. Once the stain has been removed, rinse the seat with clean water and follow up with a mild detergent or soap solution.
Consider applying a protective coating or fabric sealant to protect your boat seats from future stains. This will help to repel moisture and other liquids, making it easier to keep the fabric clean. Using seat covers can also help protect your boat seats from stains and wear and tear.
Fred Apstein
Fred Apstein is a man of many talents. He studied at Sustainable Community Development and Royal Roads University, but what he loves to do is sailing, building boats, cooking seafood, and picking up the pieces when things go wrong! He's been in business for over 40 years with no refrigeration on his sailboats - that means food drying and pickling became necessary skills