Whether you’re preparing for a summer of sailing or packing away your boat for the season, knowing how to clean and maintain your sails properly is essential. Good sail care doesn't just keep your kit looking great; it helps improve performance, prevents long-term damage and can extend the life of your sails for years to come. With Fabsil’s handy sail care guide, including drying advice and storage tips, your sails will be ready for another summer on the high seas.
How to Clean Your Sails Properly
Sails come into contact with dirt, salt deposits, bird droppings and pollution over time. While it can be tempting to scrub them aggressively, harsh cleaning can weaken sail fabric and stitching. Avoid using bleach, strong detergents or abrasive cleaners, as these can degrade sail materials and reduce their lifespan.
- Start by rinsing your sail thoroughly with fresh water to remove salt and surface grime. If you notice stubborn marks, Fabsil’s Multi-Surface Outdoor Wipes are excellent for spot-cleaning tricky stains.
- Once all visible stains are removed, clean the sail with Universal Cleaner, a dilutable cleaner that is gentle on materials but tough on grime and pollutants. Use 100ml (or two capfuls) per 5 litres of water and apply liberally with a clean sponge or brush.
- Once cleaned, rinse with fresh, cold water and allow to dry completely before moving onto the next step – reproofing.
Protecting Your Sails
Sails can face some pretty tough conditions, including strong winds, salt spray, beating sun and lashing rain. To keep your sails performing for as long as possible without having to repeatedly clean them after every voyage, reproofing them is the best course of action. Choose from either Fabsil Gold Universal Protector or Universal Protector UV. Fabsil Gold is a high-performance, ultra-concentrated waterproofing treatment designed to protect your sails from rain and stains whilst restoring and strengthening its durable water repellency (DWR). Universal Protector UV is a reliable water-repellent solution that also guards against harsh UV rays, helping to reduce sun damage and material degradation and increase the performance of your sails. (Check out the links for coverage guidelines.)
- Once clean and fully dry*, it’s time to reproof. Select the reproofer of your choice, taking into consideration the kind of environments and weather you’ll be sailing in over the season.
- Apply the reproofer using a clean brush, roller or spray bottle, making sure to completely coat the sail. Pay careful attention to areas prone to abrasion, such as seams. Do this in a well-ventilated area, or outside on a dry, sunny day, ideally on a paved or concrete surface.
- Once applied, allow to completely dry before using or packing away.
*It’s really important that the sail is clean and fully dry before application, otherwise the durability of the treatment will be compromised.
Drying and Storing Sails: Preventing Mould, Mildew and Creasing
One of the most important steps in sail maintenance is drying. Damp sails are highly prone to mould and mildew, which can cause permanent damage. Never store sails when they’re even slightly damp (even small amounts of moisture can lead to mildew growth).
- After cleaning and reproofing, hoist the sail (if possible) or spread it out in a clean, open space where air can circulate. Avoid drying your sails on grass, as this can cause staining. Ideally, lay down a protective tarp underneath.
- Once dry, we recommend rolling your sail to minimise sharp creases.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. UV exposure is one of the biggest contributors to sail degradation, especially over long periods.
Maintaining your sails may seem like a chore, but a little care goes a long way in protecting them from the elements so you can enjoy the adventure. And Fabsil’s range of cleaning and reproofing solutions will ensure smooth sailing season after season. Bon voyage!