[Shizzy]

Can car covers be washed? How are you guys keeping your cover clean? Top is filthy, and the underside of it has some spots that really need to be cleaned.

Thanks

[Angelo@ProperAutoCare]

This is from Covercraft Site on cleaning car their car covers:
Cleaning Instructions
The generic cleaning instructions noted below are intended for use with all Covercraft covers but you should refer to the instruction sheet enclosed with the car cover for any fabric specific care instructions.

Car cover fabric performance can be severely affected by dirt that builds up on and within the material. It can cause the windshield and paint to become dirty and “fogged” as well as create “wicking” where it actually helps pull water through the fabric, nullifying any water resistant properties the fabric may have had. Cleaning your cover will help to keep your vehicle clean and to increase the service life of the cover.

NEVER...Clean a car cover in a washer with a center agitator (except WeatherShield® fabric covers).
NEVER...Use fabric softener.
NEVER...Dry a non-woven or specialty type cover in a dryer.
(WeatherShield® fabric & Form-Fit™ covers can be dried in a dryer with regular heat; polycotton, cotton and flannel can be dried on low heat.)

1 - Using a large commercial washer without agitator, wash the cover using 1/4 cup of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner (some WeatherShield covers are compact enough to be washed in a normal size washer). Put the cover in the washer and pour the cleaner in the tub after it’s filled with warm water or pour it directly in the machine (some wall mounted commercial units), then put in the cover and start the machine .
2 - Rinse the cover twice (2X) to remove all the cleaner.
3 - Air dry (unless it’s one of the covers noted above that can be dried in a dryer with regular or low heat).

A cover may also be cleaned by turning it inside-out on the vehicle.
1 - Mix one ounce Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner per quart of warm water.
2 - Spray or sponge onto cover.
3 - Rinse with plain water (until no suds) and allow to air dry.

Simple Green is available in most world markets. If you have any questions, contact them at 1-800-228-0709 (USA) or visit their web-site www.simplegreen.com

If you have any additional questions regarding the use, care or cleaning of your car cover, please contact Covercraft Customer Service at 1-800-426-8377 (USA) M-F, 8AM to 4PM CST, or by email at sales@covercraft.com

[cam355aro]

Try it and post some pics.

[CorvetteDon]

Stay away from the dryer!

[Lethal Tendencies]

Originally Posted by CorvetteDon

Stay away from the dryer!

I agree,I wouldn't put it in the dryer either

[TOGWT]

Cleaning – Maintenance / Care
Some fabrics offer more heat insulation than others, simply because they are multi-layered and are more effective at keeping heat away from the vehicle surface, but any cover will help reduce the vehicle temperature on a hot day. They are manufactured to be water-resistant, available in various breathable fabric materials for protection against every type of climatic conditions, as well as both long-term indoor or outdoor vehicle storage.

Reular Washing and Care:
• Use a soft Horse Hair brush and a vacuum to remove any loose dust or dirt
• Covers should be taken to a commercial Laundromat and washed in large automatic washers without agitator. Use Woolite® (no soap or detergent). Wash your cover using the "Normal" or "Permanent Press" cycles in cold or warm water. Do not wash in hot water.
• Put the cover through two rinse cycles - it is important that the entire cleaning solution be removed in order to preserve the cover's water resistance, and then air dry.
• Do not put the cover in an automatic heated dryer (the fabric can melt or shrink)
• Do not dry-clean covers as the chemicals used will negatively affect the fabric protection abilities and durability
Car Cover Cleaning and Care: •
• Use a soft Horse Hair brush and a vacuum to remove any loose dust or dirt
• Gently rinse cover with clean water
• Wash with a 5:1 clean water / Woolite solution, using a soft brush to loosen any stubborn dirt (Do not scrub surface (see Spots and Stains)
• Thoroughly rinse with clean water to remove soap solution
• Allow air-drying
• Apply 303TM High Tech Fabric Guard by spraying from approximately 6-inch above the surface with a side-to-side motion, dampen but do not saturate.
• Two applications will ensure complete coverage, allow air-drying between applications.
• Allow cover to dry before storage.

Maintenance:
About once per month, dependants upon usage / climate, rinse the cover with clean water by gently hosing to remove surface dust or dirt that may have settled. This will extend the time requirements for between soap and water cleaning / washing. Use a rolling tape type lint brush, designed to remove lint from clothing, on your car cover. Daily use will remove any lint or light dust and reduce cleaning time dramatically.

Spots and Stains:
Spray the spot until wet with 303TM Cleaner & Spot RemoverTM, agitate with a medium-soft brush and let stand. Then blot up the stain and excess cleaner as described above. If necessary, repeat, agitate and let stand a few minutes before wiping clean. Dry completely before use


An extract from “Automotive Detailing, Inside & Out”, a knowledge base for the perfectionist © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2009, all rights reserved.

[lightsout]

Great info on this, I would have washed mine in the washer! lol