Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Power wheelchair board for REAL info!

POWERCHAIR MENU! www.wheelchairdriver.com/powerchair-stuff.htm

Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby Mr.Math » 18 Jan 2019, 04:32

My wife uses a wheelchair, a Permobil C500, and the seat cushion got wet/soiled. Does anyone have suggestions on how to clean the foam cushion? The cover is washable, but I don't think the cushion can go in the wash (let alone fit in the wash). Washing it with water seems to me that it will just absorb more and take forever to dry out.

Thanks for any advice,
Mr.Math
Mr.Math
 
Posts: 41
Joined: 05 Jan 2017, 01:23
Location: Near Seattle, WA, USA

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby flagman1776 » 20 Jan 2019, 20:47

If it's open cell foam... you are right. It's basically a big sponge. Certainly not suitable for any machine washing or drying. If it HAD to be cleaned... I'd hand wash in a tub. As you push down it will expell water, when you release pressure, it'll draw water in. Rinse & repeat. Keep changing the water. Switch to dry tub or drainer... squeeze water out. You might have luck drying in air current like a fan, on a raised drying rack. Water will tend to move down from gravity. Probably still slow drying.
Can you substitute foam from an upholstery store temporarily? While it dries.

I keep a washable cotton towel or thicker bath mat on my favorite seats... as a layer to reduce risk.
no longer able to use my TravelScoots
flagman1776
 
Posts: 2309
Joined: 16 Nov 2012, 16:28
Location: Rhode Island, USA

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby Burgerman » 20 Jan 2019, 21:04

Put its foam in a silicone rubber cover.
User avatar
Burgerman
Site Admin
 
Posts: 65050
Joined: 27 May 2008, 21:24
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby Mechniki » 20 Jan 2019, 22:28

Mr.Math wrote:My wife uses a wheelchair, a Permobil C500, and the seat cushion got wet/soiled. Does anyone have suggestions on how to clean the foam cushion? The cover is washable, but I don't think the cushion can go in the wash (let alone fit in the wash). Washing it with water seems to me that it will just absorb more and take forever to dry out.

Thanks for any advice,
Mr.Math

White vinegar and baking soda
youtu.be/wEa8DWkXg9o
User avatar
Mechniki
 
Posts: 272
Joined: 22 Oct 2013, 21:59
Location: Dorking, Surrey

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby Mechniki » 20 Jan 2019, 22:30

if it is drawing a liquid out of sponge, cat litter works too
User avatar
Mechniki
 
Posts: 272
Joined: 22 Oct 2013, 21:59
Location: Dorking, Surrey

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby flagman1776 » 20 Jan 2019, 23:43

Some shop vacs will wet vac... might be worth as try? Though they'll only dry to "just damp" & still require more drying.
no longer able to use my TravelScoots
flagman1776
 
Posts: 2309
Joined: 16 Nov 2012, 16:28
Location: Rhode Island, USA

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby LROBBINS » 21 Jan 2019, 09:25

Altroconsume, the Italian equivalent of the U.S. Consumer Reports, recently tested that vinegar and baking soda mix and found it much less effective than either vinegar alone or baking soda alone. Not surprising since acid (vinegar) + base (baking soda) = water.
LROBBINS
 
Posts: 5543
Joined: 27 Aug 2010, 09:36
Location: Siena, Italy

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby Mr.Math » 22 Jan 2019, 19:52

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

BM...where does one get a silicone rubber cover that would fit around the cushion and inside the rather tight fitting cover it has already? Or is the new cover supposed to replace the fabric one? Either way, idea of where to one get one that fits a contoured Permobil C500 cushion?
Mr.Math
 
Posts: 41
Joined: 05 Jan 2017, 01:23
Location: Near Seattle, WA, USA

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby Burgerman » 22 Jan 2019, 20:40

Not sure. I had some foam cushions from my local WCS which when the outer black cover was removed were were wrapped in a stretchy clear silicone rubber much like a condom - wrapped and taped underneath.

All I can see on ebay is this https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silicone-Rubbe ... rk:21:pf:0

Which at 1mm is much too thick and not large enough to wrap a cushion. It could be that its not silicone. Looks like polythene but stretchy. But behaves like silicone.

If you cant find anything, consider a waterproof cushion cover replacement.
User avatar
Burgerman
Site Admin
 
Posts: 65050
Joined: 27 May 2008, 21:24
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby Mechniki » 22 Jan 2019, 20:53

cling film or a shrinkable sleeve
User avatar
Mechniki
 
Posts: 272
Joined: 22 Oct 2013, 21:59
Location: Dorking, Surrey

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby Mechniki » 22 Jan 2019, 20:55

or you may be able to use Plastidip paint, but that uses Xylene, so cut a little piece of foam off and test first
User avatar
Mechniki
 
Posts: 272
Joined: 22 Oct 2013, 21:59
Location: Dorking, Surrey

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby foghornleghorn » 22 Jan 2019, 21:11

Child size waterproof bed sheet?

Have something sewn up from a couple of yards of waterproof ripstop fabric like a jacket is made from?
User avatar
foghornleghorn
 
Posts: 638
Joined: 20 Mar 2018, 16:29
Location: South East England

Re: Seat Cushion Cleaning?

Postby Mr.Math » 22 Jan 2019, 21:34

Again, thanks for all the suggestions!
Mr.Math
 
Posts: 41
Joined: 05 Jan 2017, 01:23
Location: Near Seattle, WA, USA


Return to Everything Powerchair

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: LROBBINS and 120 guests

 

  eXTReMe Tracker