Whether you’ve got outdoor seats made from rigid vinyl or indoor ones covered using flexible, leather-like vinyl, the procedure for cleaning them is similar. Vinyl — more correctly called polyvinyl chloride, or PVC — is nonporous and vulnerable to powerful solvents, so only gentle cleaning supplies and methods are advisable.
Cleaning Soft Vinyl
You can frequently clean soft vinyl couches, chairs as well as automobile or boat chairs with nothing more than a damp rag. Should you want more cleaning power, you shouldn’t use anything stronger than dish soap or even all-purpose cleaner. Mix a ounce or so per gallon of warm water, and rinse with a rag or sponge. If you need to remove mildew, do it using a 4-to-1 combination of water and chlorine, but test this in an inconspicuous spot first to make certain it doesn’t cause any discoloration. Never use abrasives, powerful bleach or wax.
Cleaning Hard Vinyl
The process for cleaning hard vinyl is similar to that for cleaning delicate vinyl — with the exception that you can safely use baking soda as an abrasive to remove scuff marks. Wet the vinyl; sprinkle on some baking soda and rub it with a cloth, and rinse with clear water. You can also remove scuff marks, as well as dye stains, by massaging with denatured alcohol. After washing your hard vinyl chairs, protect them and maintain them shiny by coating them with car glue.
