How to Clean Rust Off Sails

If your sails are not stored properly, and sometimes even if they are, rust stains from metal fixtures and fittings can appear on what was once spotless white. When you get your sails out of storage for the season, clean off any rust stains before you hit the water.

Things You'll Need

  • Baking soda or toothpaste
  • Soft-bristled toothbrush
  • Mild detergent
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spread your sail flat, and make sure that there is not a clean piece of sail folded beneath the stain. Check for additional damage, like rips or places that have worn thin.

    • 2

      Mix baking soda with water to create a paste, or simply use a plain tube of toothpaste.

    • 3

      Apply the paste or toothpaste to the stained area of the sail by hand. Coat the entire stain with a thin layer of paste.

    • 4

      Rub the paste in with a soft-bristled toothbrush, making sure to brush over the entire rust stain.

    • 5

      Wash the paste out with water and a mild detergent, which you can pour from a bucket. Consider using a hose to rinse the majority of the paste out before dumping on the diluted detergent.