You open a sunpad locker at the end of a Med season and the smell hits you first. The covers went away slightly damp after a rain squall, in a hot dark locker, six weeks ago. The mould is now through the foam. Those are bespoke cushions, and nobody is going to make you new ones by Friday.
Cushions and sunpads
- Rotate, turn and plump loose cushions on a schedule so wear, compression and fading are even. A cushion that lives in one orientation will show it.
- Never store cushions or covers even slightly damp. Damp plus warmth plus darkness equals mould, and mould on a textile is a stain and an odour, not just dirt.
- Sunpad and outdoor foam should be reticulated or quick-drain; check that drain holes and mesh bases are clear so water is not sitting inside.
- Stand cushions on edge to dry, with airflow around them. Do not dry them in direct sun for hours — you will fade the fabric while you dry it.
- Zips, piping and welting are the weak points. Lift cushions from underneath, never by the piping.
Covers
- Fitted weather covers protect from UV, rain, salt and bird strike — but a cover trapping moisture is worse than no cover.
- Fit covers only on a dry cushion, and lift and air them regularly at anchor.
- Interior dust covers or protective throws during yard periods, provisioning and heavy crew traffic are cheap insurance.
- Log which covers exist and where they live. Covers get lost in lockers and then get replaced at cost.
The environment
| Threat | Mechanism | Control |
|---|---|---|
| UV | Breaks dye and fibre; fades and weakens | Close blinds and curtains on unoccupied sunny sides; rotate cushions; use solution-dyed fabric outdoors |
| Humidity / condensation | Feeds mould and mildew; musty odour | Run HVAC and dehumidification; keep RH broadly 45–55%; ventilate lockers |
| Salt | Hygroscopic and abrasive; draws damp back in | Rinse outdoor fabric with fresh water; keep salt off interior textiles |
| Heat | Yellows sunscreen residue; dries and cracks leather | Keep leather and delicate fabric out of direct sun; monitor closed spaces |
| Stagnant air | Mould, odour, silverfish | Circulate air; do not pack lockers solid; use ventilated storage |
Sun bleaching is not recoverable. A faded panel is a re-upholstery, not a clean. Closing a blind costs nothing.
Onboard Notes
Make the "nothing goes away damp" rule absolute and unarguable — for cushions, covers, throws and carpets alike. If a locker smells musty, that is early warning: empty it, dry it, find the source and tell the chief stew. Mould found at week one is a cleaning task; mould found at week six is a bill.