How To Clean A Motorcycle Cover

You must be thorough as you proceed through the process of how to clean a motorcycle cover. Loose dirt and debris must be removed, and you should consider whether to hand wash or machine wash the material, along with which detergents to use. Most motorcycle covers are machine washable, but let’s take a look at the step-by-step process.

Remove Loose Dirt And Debris

Before you wash your cover, you should remove any loose dirt and debris. This type of soiling can be easily shifted with a gentle brush or even by hand, so lay the cover out flat on a table or the floor and look over it.

Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush or cloth when removing debris. You want to ensure there is no large detritus when you proceed to wash the cover, so remove:

• Dried mud
• Stones
• Sticks

Once you have cleared the fabric of all these types of materials, you are ready to proceed to the next step.

Hand Washing Vs. Machine Washing

Our polyester and satin motorcycle and car covers are suitable for machine washing. But it is important to follow the care instructions we provide to get the right temperature and spin speed. This is a good rule for washing all covers, as different materials react differently when exposed to certain temperatures or when spun too aggressively. It is also important to avoid using a washing machine that has a central agitator as this could tear the fabric of your cover.

The alternative to machine washing is to wash your cover by hand. In the context of how to clean a motorcycle cover, hand washing is generally less effective but safer, so you might choose this method for delicate materials. Generally speaking, the best rule is to refer to the care instructions to decide how to wash the cover. If possible, opt for machine washing for the best results.

Using The Right Detergents And Cleaners

Whether you are learning how to clean a motorcycle cover by hand or by machine, one important point to remember is to use the right detergent. It is always best to use a mild detergent to avoid any damage to the fabric of your cover. And it is generally advised to avoid using fabric softener or anything else that might compromise the state of the material.

Again, follow the care instructions for your cover. We provide detailed guidance to ensure you maintain the pristine condition of motorcycle and car covers for as long as possible.

Rinsing And Removing Soap Residue

Once the wash cycle is finished, or you are done hand washing your cover, it is a good idea to perform an extra rinse. This will ensure there is no soap residue left in the fabric. This is important because that soap residue could lead to any of the following issues:

• Leaving visible stains on the cover
• Weakening or damaging the fabric over time
• Compromising the cover’s water-resistance
• Attracting dirt
• Affecting breathability

None of these are things that you want to happen to your cover. Thus, when following the process of how to clean a motorcycle cover, it is usually advised to rinse as thoroughly as possible.

Drying The Motorcycle Cover

The final stage of how to clean a motorcycle cover is to dry it completely. It is absolutely essential that your cover is not damp when you apply it to your bike. Any lingering moisture in the fabric could cause the same issues as putting a cover on a wet car or motorcycle.

Essentially, moisture can end up getting trapped between the vehicle and the cover. Over time, this can:

• Compromise the integrity of paint
• Contribute to the formation of mold and mildew
• Cause the onset of rust and corrosion

What’s more, if you put a wet cover into storage, it could take on an unpleasant odor and even start to rot the fabric. Always allow your cover to air dry thoroughly before putting it into storage or applying it to your bike to avoid any damage.

In exploring how to clean a motorcycle cover, a step-by-step guide is very useful. But we can also supply you with some crucial tips to consider as you proceed through that process. These include using cold water, avoiding harsh chemicals and air drying rather than exposing the cover to high temperatures. Let’s look at these suggestions in detail.

Importance Of Using Cold Water

While it is important to check the care label and other guidelines for how to wash your motorcycle cover, using cold water is a good rule of thumb. Many fabrics can be damaged by exposure to high temperatures, and weakened fabric on vehicle covers is a recipe for disaster.

Whether you are machine washing or cleaning your cover by hand, avoid using hot water. Temperatures of 30°C (86°F) or lower are safest for your covers. It may make it a little more difficult to remove stubborn stains or ingrained dirt, but it will help ensure your cover continues performing at its best.

Avoiding Harsh Chemicals

Harsh chemicals like bleach and other strong cleaning agents should be kept away from your vehicle covers. This goes for how to clean motorcycle covers, scooter covers, car covers and more. These chemicals will damage the fabric and render the cover essentially useless.

They can warp the shape, compromise protective features of the material and ultimately cause you to have to buy a replacement. Keep them away from your covers, opting instead for mild detergents and soaps to wash your covers.

Ensuring Thorough Rinsing

We have already mentioned the importance of thorough rinsing, but we will reiterate it here. Lingering soap residue on your motorcycle cover can lead to a number of problems that can be easily avoided with good rinsing.

If you are hand washing your cover, make sure to fill your container with a new load of clean water for rinsing. It may even be beneficial to do this more than once to ensure all detergent is removed. For machine washing, activate an extra rinse cycle at the end as a precaution. This will ensure no soap remains and your cover is ready to be dried before going into storage or being reapplied to your motorcycle.

The Significance Of Air Drying

Whether your cover is made from polypropylene, polyester, satin, or any other specialist material, it is not designed to be exposed to high temperatures. This is why it is not advised to put your cover in a tumble dryer after washing. Remember that checking the care label is an important part of how to clean a motorcycle cover, and virtually all of them will tell you that tumble dryers are not an option.

Instead, you should air dry your cover. This is best done outdoors, in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Ensure the cover is opened out and hung on a washing line or somewhere similar to facilitate air flow all around the fabric. You must not put the cover into storage or apply it to your bike until it has dried thoroughly, otherwise the lingering moisture could cause problems for the cover and/or the motorcycle.

Regular Cleaning Vs. Deep Cleaning Frequency

If you perform a basic clean of your motorbike cover every 4-8 weeks, you should be able to maintain its good condition for the most part. Any time it is exposed to things like tree sap or bird droppings, you should spot clean it promptly to prevent these things from causing damage. A regular clean may consist of a rinse or a fast cycle in the washing machine.

Deep cleaning may not be necessary if you keep up with regular cleaning, though some people like to do a deep clean every 6-12 months. It can be a good idea to do it before putting a cover into seasonal storage. A deep clean involves a longer, more thorough process with detergent and more rigorous wash cycles.

Always follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer of your cover. This is how to clean your motorcycle cover for the best possible results.

Maintenance is a key component of motorcycle cover ownership. Knowing how to clean your motorcycle cover is a big part of that, but you also need to perform regular inspections of the cover and store it correctly.

• Check for wear and tear by opening the cover out on the ground and inspecting it closely. Look for holes and rips, frayed seams or signs of wear on the fabric. Spotting these problems early can enable you to mend them before they become more serious.
• Proper storage of your cover is essential. Once washed and dried, you should fold or roll your cover properly and place it in a suitable storage bag before putting it somewhere cool, dry and away from direct sunlight.

If you engage in proper maintenance of your motorcycle cover, you will preserve its good condition and extend its lifespan. This is the best way to get maximum value for your money.

If you keep your motorcycle outdoors, a motorbike cover protects it against the elements as well as dirt and debris from outside. You may be surprised at the amount of damage that can be done to a motorcycle by long-term exposure to:

• Sunlight
• Wind
• Rain
• Snow and ice

A high-quality motorcycle cover, like the ones we sell, are the best way to protect against these threats. They offer robust safeguarding that can help keep your bike in top condition and extend its lifespan. This is why it is truly worthwhile to invest in a cover.

The best motorcycle cover material depends on your needs. There are different threats for motorcycles and scooters that are stored outdoors versus those that are kept indoors. Let’s take a look at some options:

• Outdoor storage: Polypropylene covers, like the ones we sell, offer robust protection against the full spectrum of outdoor threats. For excellent weather resistance, a shield against dirt and good breathability, you won’t find a better material than polypropylene.
• Indoor storage: We have more lightweight polypropylene covers and also a satin cover for indoor storage. These materials are highly breathable, gentle on your paintwork and offer outstanding protection against dirt and dust.

Evaluate the biggest threats to your motorbike and choose the appropriate cover material to deliver on your needs.

We sell a wide range of motorcycle covers to accommodate different needs and budget considerations. Protection against external threats ranges from good to outstanding, with designs that also help protect your paintwork and provide breathability at all times. We collect specific information about your vehicle from you to ensure you get the most appropriate cover for a snug fit and maximum protection.

Our products come with full maintenance instructions and are designed to be durable and robust. You are assured a great fit and long-term performance with our covers, and we have earned a reputation as a trustworthy supplier for all vehicle types.