If you own a boat with mildew on the vinyl upholstery, or you're considering buying one with moldy looking seats and cushions, there's no need to worry. Here are four steps to clean away mold and mildew off your vinyl boat upholstery, bringing back a shiny luster.

Breakdown the Mold & Mildew

Mold and mildew are a growing fungus. It took a little time and the perfect conditions for it to grow on your seats. The first step in cleaning it off is stopping the growing process. Spraying your seats with a light mist of mold and mildew remover begins the breakdown process.

Let the cleaner sit in place for about an hour, but don't let it dry. If it dries, you will have essentially defeated the purpose and have to start all over. That's why it's recommended to clean boat upholstery inside a building, or at least in the shade, so the cleaning agents have a chance to work.

Scrub

While the mold and mildew remover is still damp, add a light spray to wet the upholstery again. Take a medium-bristle scrub brush and begin using a circular scrubbing motion. Scrub harder on the spots where the mold and mildew are heaviest.

As you scrub, wipe with a soft, dry cloth to see how much progress you're making. Lightly spray the upholstery again, repeating the process until the mold and mildew are gone.

Clean Water Wipe Down

Using a damp cloth or a soft sponge, wipe every surface that you cleaned. Warm water makes the job easier. You want to get all the remaining mold and mildew off, plus remove any residual cleaning product left behind. Allow the upholstery to dry completely.

Protect & Shine

The cleaning and scrubbing will remove the mold and mildew stains, but it will not protect your vinyl. Older vinyl, especially seats and surfaces on preowned boats, will need to be protected. There are a number of quality products on the market you can select from, which are safe for vinyl.

While leather restoration products will give vinyl a nice shine, they are designed to absorb into the pores in the leather. Vinyl does not have the same absorbent quality as genuine leather. Use only products that are specially designed to protect vinyl upholstery.

Wipe on a good coat of vinyl protection, using the same circular motion you used to scrub away the mold and mildew. Using brisk circular strokes, wipe the upholstery until the moisture is all but gone. Wait just a few moments, then take a soft, dry cloth and shine to perfection.

Mold and mildew on vinyl boat upholstery is unsightly. It will make a boat look cheap and poorly maintained. If your boat is looking bad, or you're thinking about buying a preowned boat with moldy seats and cushions, use these steps to bring a lustrous shine to the upholstery.