How to clean vinyl golf cart seats

Vinyl is a porous material

Vinyl pores must breathe and should not be clogged with suntan lotions and body oils. Damage to the vinyl, due to improper cleaning, along with commercial use and exposure, resulting in mildew and other fungi becoming firmly rooted in the pores. The vinyl soon becomes stained and virtually impossible to clean. At this point, the damage is done and it is time for new vinyl. The use of vinyl "protectants" are not recommended because they may combine with other chemicals in the commercial environment, get baked in by the sun and clog the pores like oils. The vinyl may look great for a while, and then they may suddenly start to break.

Commercial cleaning solutions and chlorine

It is a common misconception that pool chlorine, household bleach, chlorine-based cleaners, and other strong solutions and solvents are good for cleaning stained vinyl. Not true. These chemicals are fatal to the vinyl’s finish. They will clean well for a time, but they clean by removing layers of the finish along with the staining material on top of the finish. After a while, it becomes impossible to clean the vinyl. It becomes stiff and hard, loses its memory, and begins to crack and break. This is an inescapable process that is accelerated two to three times or more by the use of harsh chemicals. Pool chlorine is about four times stronger and much more caustic than household bleach.

Clean with mild soap and warm water

Absent a suitable pressure washer, outdoor furniture should be cleaned with a soft brush, using mild soap and very warm water. Soaps that have emulsifiers that break down common stains and are scum free are the best to use. After a few years, when the finish is worn and plain soap and water will not clean the vinyl any more, begin to add small amounts of household bleach. Start with a capful or two of bleach per gallon of filtered water, working up to half and half during the following year or so. When a half and half solution no longer cleans the vinyl, it's time to start thinking about getting new vinyl straps.

 How often

Golf cart seats are often made of vinyl, as are many automobile seats. Vinyl is used in golf cart seats because it is weather-resistant and easy to clean. Clean weekly or bi-weekly, simply wipe down the top surfaces and rinse with filtered water. Once every four to six weeks, wipe down the bottom and back surfaces to control mildew.

 Cleaning:

Step 1

Move the golf cart into the shade and apply the parking brake. Let the seats cool down, if the cart was in the sun, before cleaning them.

 Step 2

Fill a bucket with warm water, and add a quarter-sized amount of dish detergent. Mix the solution until it becomes soapy and bubbly.

Step 3

Use the sponge to clean the backrest of the seats first. Cleaning this part first is important because when you clean the backrest, soiled water will drip down over the bottom of the seat --- which you only want to clean once. Wring out the sponge first, so you don't soak the seat and add to drying time.

Step 4

Use the old toothbrush to clean the seams and stitching of the seat. This is a great tool to access crevices where dirt likes to collect.

Step 5

Rinse the sponge to remove any soiled water that has been absorbed. Dip the sponge in the soapy water again and use it to scrub and clean the bottom part of the seat.

Step 6

Dump out the dirty water and refill the bucket with fresh water. Rinse out the sponge, and use it and the fresh water to remove any residue left on the seats.

Step 7

Use a dry towel to dry the seats off; do a thorough job with the seats and seams, as damp seats are a magnet for dirt and bugs. It is also important to dry the seats with a towel, not in the sun, as this could make the vinyl brittle and cause it to crack.

Things You'll Need

Sponge

Bucket

Water

Liquid dish detergent

Old toothbrush

Towels