Is Your Boat or Caravan Ready for Summer Fun?

As we head into warmer weather, calendars start filling up with boating adventures and road trips across Aotearoa. The outdoor furniture makes a comeback as we venture outside and enjoy the longer evening hours. 

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If you haven't opened up the caravan doors, taken the tarp off the boat, or pulled out the outdoor furniture in a while, you could be in for a nasty surprise. After 6 months of cold, wet weather, our summer fun might have to be postponed until we've donned the rubber gloves and given items a good clean! 

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Before you launch into your summer holiday – we can help you get your outdoor and caravan upholstery spic and span!

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Some of your outdoor and caravan squab covers can simply be removed and washed in the machine – but for others, it's not always so simple. 

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How to give your caravan, boat, and outdoor upholstery an easy DIY clean:

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1. Vacuum – bring out the hoover and pick up any loose bits of dirt and dust from the upholstery, honing in on the nooks and crannies of the squabs.
2. Soak – using warm water and dish soap. If you have a spare spray bottle, pour the solution into this and spray over your squabs. After leaving them to rest for 10 minutes, scrub away any marks or stains. 
3. Wash – wipe down with a damp cloth and clean water to rinse off the suds and any leftover dirt residue. You may have to repeat this several times. 
4. Dry it out – Ring out any leftover water, and dab the surface with a towel to absorb further. Set the squabs upright, preferably in a sunny area to completely dry.
5. For plastic or other types of hard surface furnishing, use warm, soapy water to wash or gently scrub hard surfaces. If the surfaces are badly stained, call in the experts, and we'll take care of it.

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If you'd rather get on with planning your holidays, find your local JAE team and give them a call – they'll take care of it for you so you can get on with the fun stuff!

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FAQs:

1. Why is it important to clean my boat or caravan upholstery before summer?
   After months of cold, wet weather, boat and caravan upholstery can accumulate dirt, dust, and even mildew. Cleaning it ensures a fresh start for your summer adventures, preventing unpleasant surprises and making your space ready for enjoyment.
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2. Can I machine wash all my outdoor and caravan squab covers?
   While some squab covers can be machine washed, not all are suitable. The blog provides DIY cleaning tips for those that can't be machine washed, or you can contact JAE for professional cleaning services.

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