What's a good way to clean a foil made out of ripstop?

Just came back from a decent day at the beach with good winds for the foil. I got to playing around and really ground it into the sand a few times. In the past I've been able to hose off loose sand with high volume/ low pressure water from the garden hose. This time it's pretty soiled.

Maybe a gentle dunk in the bath with some Woolite?

It's a small foil - 2m.

Thanks in advance!

I have used Woolite in the past with good results and the kite smell good.

Susan

I usually use an old toothbrush and just clean water for spots, but for a kite covered in beach sand Woolite in the tub would def. be the answer.....

Please allow me to jump in with some practical advice.

Your kite is made from a fabric that has been treated during manufacturing with a coating that makes it nearly impermeable to many things (wind - for one).

Detergents, in order to work, can also remove much of this coating, leaving your kite defensless in the future.

Try warm water and a toothbrush (an old one preferably).

That's it. No Woolite. No Bleach. No detergents.

Real bad stains I have removed with lighter fluid.
That doesn't destroy the coating.
Matches? We don't light no stinking matches.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

COREYKITE-
WHY WOULD YOU USE LIGHTER FLUID FOR STAINS?? LIGHTER FLUID IS AN OIL BASED FLUID THAT IS HIGHLY FLAMABLE AND WILL MAKE THE STAIN ON YOUR KITE WORSE THAN IT WAS...............

Having been in the parachute industry for over 12 years I can tell you this.

Do not use a toothbrush (anything abrasive will damage the cloth, for every stroke of a toothbrush you are actually separating the fibers and removing the coating)

Do not use Lighter Fluid, other than a mild detergent and water in the effected area you could also use a fluid called (hydratetracloraethaline) ??? Maybe mis spelled. This fluid is used in manufacturing facilities to remove stains and at the dry cleaners you could ask them for some.

Do not place your kite into a washing machine.

Do not leave your kite lying out to dry in the sun for long periods. (Dry indoors room temp)

If you must wash your entire kite soak in a bucket of water with a small amount of detergent for a few minutes and again let it air dry indoors.