How to Clean and Maintain Gunwale Boarding Mats

Your gunwale boarding mat is one of the best ways to protect your boat’s finish from scratches, provide a non-slip surface for boarding, and add a personal touch to your watercraft. But let’s face it — from daily exposure to all kinds of weather conditions to heavy foot traffic, your gunwale mats undergo a lot of wear and tear. 

Without regular cleaning, your gunwale mat can start to get dirty and stained. Proper maintenance will ensure your Sunbrella mat lasts as long as possible and stays looking good as new. 

Caring for your gunwale boarding mat doesn’t have to be complicated. Just a few minutes of maintenance will keep it looking and working at its best. 

Why Regularly Cleaning Your Gunwale Mat Is Important

Every time you go boating, your gunwale mat gets exposed to harsh weather conditions. While marine fabrics like Sunbrella are designed to be tough and durable, you still want to regularly clean and maintain your gunwale to keep it in the best possible condition. 

You can extend the lifespan of your mat and preserve the colors and texture of it by keeping it clean. Regularly rinsing it off will help prevent the buildup of salt, sand and grime, while helping keep it stain and odor-free. 

How to Clean Your Gunwale Boarding Mats

Because of how they are made, gunwale mats are designed to be quick and easy to maintain. If it's been a while since you last cleaned your mat or it’s showing some signs of wear and tear, here's a step-by-step process on what you can do to get it looking good as new again: 

• Brush off loose sand and debris. 
• Rinse the fabric with water to remove saltwater and residue.
• Use a mild cleaning solution of soap and water.
• Use a soft brush if needed to loosen up any remaining dirt. 
• Rinse thoroughly to remove all soapy residue. 
• Allow the mat to air dry before putting it back on your boat or storing it away. 

Gunwale Maintenance Best Practices / Seasonal Storage Tips

When boating season draws to a close, it’s best to store your gunwale away to keep it protected. If you cleaned your gunwale mat recently, make sure it’s completely dry before putting it up for the season. 

Keep it stored in a cool, dry area. If your gunwale mat has embroidery, avoid folding the mat along the embroidered areas. Instead, roll or lay the mat flat. You can also store it in a breathable storage bag or mesh tote to help keep it protected. 

Design a Custom Sunbrella Gunwale Boarding Mat Today 

At Matworks, we specialize in custom marine flooring and accessories like Sunbrella gunwale boarding mats. We use marine-grade materials and offer endless color and customization options to make your gunwale mats one of a kind. With embroidery options ranging from marine graphics to custom logos, it’s easy to bring your unique design vision to life.

This holiday season, we are offering a BOGO sale on all of our custom Sunbrella gunwale boarding mats – which includes embroidery. Add two gunwales to cart and use the discount code HOLIDAYBOGO at checkout to take advantage of this limited time offer. 

Shop our gunwale collection today!