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Old 11-04-2020, 03:49 PM   #1
nightVzn
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Default Car cover cleaning

I don't know if this is the best place to post a question about car covers, but the only other listings that came up were all in classifieds.

My question is to anybody who's used one of Subaru's genuine accessory car covers (like SOA3993200 for the WRX) or any similar aftermarket items. I've never used one but I might have reason to soon.

I can't find anything online about care instructions and my dealership's parts dept. didn't have any info. Are these things machine washable? Obviously, you'd need an enormous machine like in a laundromat to even attempt it, but I imagine they can get pretty gross with bird crap, tree sap, etc. I'd like to know if they can handle being cleaned before I consider buying one.

I suppose you could hose it down while it's on the car, but I don't have any way of doing that where I live, and doing it at a car wash isn't a great option for me either.
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Old 12-09-2020, 09:36 AM   #2
Uebeenne
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I've washed a bunch of stuff in a washing machine on delicate with woolite, but they have all been cloth/fabric, but if it is one of those paper-fiber tyvek-like covers, I wouldn't know what to do with it.

i just washed a large microfiber (Got a cash advance on this page maybeloan.com/cash-advance for it) couch cover in our washing machine and it came out looking new.

Last edited by Uebeenne; 12-29-2020 at 01:41 AM.
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Old 12-09-2020, 01:52 PM   #3
car_freak85
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Commercial washing machine with Simple Green is what the manufacturer of the car cover that came with my old SVX suggested using. They were quite specific about not using a washing machine with an agitator in it, presumably to prevent damage.
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Old 12-09-2020, 05:51 PM   #4
nightVzn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by car_freak85 View Post
Commercial washing machine with Simple Green is what the manufacturer of the car cover that came with my old SVX suggested using. They were quite specific about not using a washing machine with an agitator in it, presumably to prevent damage.
Good to know ... so washing machine is OK, at least for some covers, just not any old washing machine.

I bet they all come with care instructions. You just don't get to know what they are until you buy one. Real pain in the tush that I haven't been able to find any helpful info online other than by posting here. Even my dealership's parts dept. doesn't know, even though they occasionally sell these things.

Well, sounds like I probably have reasonable cleaning options if I decide to order one.
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Old 02-10-2021, 12:06 PM   #5
James Lawrence
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Yeah you should get it cleaned professionally.
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Old 03-19-2021, 05:42 AM   #6
brylemr
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I use our regular washing machine and then line dry.
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Old 04-20-2021, 12:51 AM   #7
Suberion
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nightVzn View Post
I don't know if this is the best place to post a question about car covers, but the only other listings that came up were all in classifieds.

My question is to anybody who's used one of Subaru's genuine accessory car covers (like SOA3993200 for the WRX) or any similar aftermarket items. I've never used one but I might have reason to soon.

I can't find anything online about care instructions and my dealership's parts dept. didn't have any info. Are these things machine washable? Obviously, you'd need an enormous machine like in a laundromat to even attempt it, but I imagine they can get pretty gross with bird crap, tree sap, etc. I'd like to know if they can handle being cleaned before I consider buying one.

I suppose you could hose it down while it's on the car, but I don't have any way of doing that where I live, and doing it at a car wash isn't a great option for me either.
Hey- so I was looking into car covers and decided against the factory one. It’s like some sort of paper like material from what I’ve read. Since- I sold my Subaru so I have a 2 month old Covercraft Ultratect cover for sale- it’s a $350 car cover and I’ll sell it to you for $200. I also have the corresponding Covercraft bag to keep it in that I’ll throw in. This is the best cover you can buy- protection against sun, bugs, rain and machine washable. Model C17807UB. I can send pictures, but the nasioc img hosting might work too. Either way, I recommend NOT going with the factory cover.
https://img.nasioc.com/image/h9X9T
https://img.nasioc.com/image/h9K8P
https://img.nasioc.com/image/h91z4
https://img.nasioc.com/image/h9eNX
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Old 04-20-2021, 03:43 PM   #8
nightVzn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Suberion View Post
Hey- so I was looking into car covers and decided against the factory one. It’s like some sort of paper like material from what I’ve read. Since- I sold my Subaru so I have a 2 month old Covercraft Ultratect cover for sale- it’s a $350 car cover and I’ll sell it to you for $200. I also have the corresponding Covercraft bag to keep it in that I’ll throw in. This is the best cover you can buy- protection against sun, bugs, rain and machine washable. Model C17807UB. I can send pictures, but the nasioc img hosting might work too. Either way, I recommend NOT going with the factory cover.
https://img.nasioc.com/image/h9X9T
https://img.nasioc.com/image/h9K8P
https://img.nasioc.com/image/h91z4
https://img.nasioc.com/image/h9eNX
Thanks for the tip. Fits with what I've been hearing: the OEM one isn't the best material.

Since I wrote my original post in this thread, I've decided I don't need a car cover at this time.
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Old 02-25-2022, 02:25 PM   #9
oichan
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17Mk7R 20Supra 20Forester

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I just wash the cover while on the car with car shampoo and air dry.

Why bring bird crap into your washing machine. Yuck.. probably want to run disinfect cycle or Afresh afterwards.
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Old 04-26-2022, 02:50 PM   #10
umscooby
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98
$$$ Green

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Quote:
Originally Posted by oichan View Post
I just wash the cover while on the car with car shampoo and air dry.

Why bring bird crap into your washing machine. Yuck.. probably want to run disinfect cycle or Afresh afterwards.
Worried about bird crap in a washing machine but not all of the swirl marks car covers leave on your finish from the dust and dirt that inevitabley gets under the cover and the fun wind that whips the cover all directions over the car.

Interesting.



FWIW, unless your car is indoors and your cover is made from silk they are a terribble idea and a waste of money.
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