Washing a car cover

[bmwpower]

What should I use to wash a car cover? Regular detergent like Tide? It's got a couple big stains on it....not sure what kinda stains though.

Plus, I need to find a laundramat with a big commercial washer.

 

[malibu101]

All I can say is I washed my cover once just because of being real dusty. Went to the local coin-op laundry, used thier largest washer with regular laundry detergent. Came out fine and cleaner than it went in. I took it home and hung it on the washline to dry, I was afraid drying it might shrink it. I don't know the name of or what kind of cover it is, I got a great deal on it from a buddy.
Do you know what kind of cover you have? Try emailing the company and see what they have to say.

 

[bmwpower]

All I can say is I washed my cover once just because of being real dusty. Went to the local coin-op laundry, used thier largest washer with regular laundry detergent. Came out fine and cleaner than it went in. I took it home and hung it on the washline to dry, I was afraid drying it might shrink it. I don't know the name of or what kind of cover it is, I got a great deal on it from a buddy.
Do you know what kind of cover you have? Try emailing the company and see what they have to say.

Good point. I think it's one of those Noah covers or whatever they're called. I haven't looked at it in a while. I'll have to check.... Thanks!

 

[Junkman]

I washed my Evolution cover once, and it came out clean, but the holes where the mice had chewed into it were still there. I use a liquid detergent and a commercial washing machine. I have a fine nylon cover that I put over the car first, and then the heavier car cover. Keeps the car clean.

 

[z28toz06]

I have an Auto chic cover. I emailed them and they said wash it in a commercial machine(the bigger the better) Do not dry it in a dryer, let it air dry, especially if it is a weatherproof cover. I own a laundromat, so finding a machine was easy! mine fit in a 50 pounder but if I had an 80 I would have used that.

 

[dfox1234]

What should I use to wash a car cover? Regular detergent like Tide? It's got a couple big stains on it....not sure what kinda stains though.

Plus, I need to find a laundramat with a big commercial washer.

I use the local DryCleaner, $10.
HTH, Dean

 

[ChucksCrib]

I own a laundromat, .......

Gee.......one would think that you would smell bettter than you do

 

[mike944]

Look for a tag on the cover with washing instructions. If you can't find one, ask the manufacturer. Might need an unusual detergent.

I have one of the mid-grade "California Car Cover" models, i can't remember what the exact fabric is, but the washing instructions say to dump whole bottle of fantastic spray cleaner into a large commercial washing machine. Seemed like a rather odd detergent, but it came out clean.

 

[safetyfast]

My cover says to use Fantastik.

 

[Killer95Stang]

I pulled mine off the car a few days and just folded up in the corner of the garage. When I left the garage to get a few snacks, the neighbors cat peed on top of it. I need to get to the local laundermat to clean it.

 

[dmw56]

I used to go to the laundrymat to do mine. I have a couple from Ca Car Cover and some from Wolf. Just used regular laundry detergent and threw in the dryer. Now that we have a large capacity washer and dyer at home I just use those. They come out just fine. The heavy Ca Car Cover ones do take a long time to dry though.

 

[dmw56]

There are many types of breathable fabrics available. The big difference in price between the cheap covers (and tarps) and the good covers is due to the breathable fabrics. Never ever cover a car with a non-breathable cover. Condensation build-up under the cover can do lots of damage.

I have the max cover from empire its a 3 layer cover made from Tyvek developed by DuPont.

http://empirecovers-review.blogspot.com/

Depends where you are at. Here in NM it's so freaking dry there is no condensation.

 

[porschedude996TT]

I pulled mine off the car a few days and just folded up in the corner of the garage. When I left the garage to get a few snacks, the neighbors cat peed on top of it. I need to get to the local laundermat to clean it.

Take the cover and the cat and wash in separate washers. That should cure the problems...

 

[rwhite692]

+ 1 on taking to the local cleaners. Usually 10 bucks or so.

 

[66HertzClone]

As said the laundry mat with the big machines. I used that baby detergent, concerned that some of the stronger detergents might remain behind. I did stick it in the dryer, using the lowest possible setting. I didn't let the cycle run thru, I wanted it still damp and hung it up at home to finish drying.

 

[Falcon67]

I put 'em on a car and leave it out in the rain. Works every time, free.

 

[ovilla]

Don't mean to change topics but have you guys noticed that hardly nobody makes a tan cover anymore? Seems like they are all grey now, which is really wierd. I like the tan breathable covers since they stay cool and always look clean.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think I washed mine once, it could probably use it again.



If you go to the laundrymat, I'd recommend this. Go early Sunday morning, take a magazine, relax and read while it's being washed.

 

[jayoldschool]

Thank you for reminding me... I have have four car covers to wash! Off to the laundromat...