Longer lifespan
Regular cleaning and reproofing protects the sailcloth from ageing. Your sails wear more slowly and keep their shape.
Services
Sail cleaning, repairs and reproofing
With our Airless Washing Method we clean sails without wear. Clean, stiffer and ready for the new season.
8,7/10 from 247 customer reviews
Why clean?
Professional sail cleaning and reproofing
Cruising, offshore or racing: every sail picks up dirt over time, such as bird and spider droppings, salt marks, algae and mould. It looks unsightly, and in the long run it damages the sailcloth.
After washing, we give your sail new protection, so future dirt can simply be wiped off with a cloth.
16+ years of experience
Benefits
Five reasons to have your sails cleaned and reproofed
Protection against chafe
Under sail, the cloth rubs against fittings, winches and blocks. A clean, reproofed surface is better protected against this wear.
Less dirt
Rain, sun, salt water and pollution quickly make sails dirty and slack. Regular cleaning keeps them in good condition.
Better aerodynamics
Dirty, slack and unprotected sails use the wind less well. Cleaning and coating improve aerodynamic efficiency.
A well-kept look
Clean sails make the whole boat look well kept. That matters all the more when you want to sell or charter your boat.
170+ collection points · NL · BE · DE
Network
Bring your sails
to one of our
collection points
ZONklaar works with a network of collection points, mostly sailmakers, marinas and boat storage businesses. Drop off your dirty or slack sails there and collect them clean a few weeks later.
170+
Collection points
3
Countries: NL, BE and DE
Our process
Sail washing without wear: the Airless Washing Method
We clean without scrubbing, heat or pressure.
- Stap 01
Vacuum chamber
We place the sails in a stainless steel vacuum chamber. The machine draws out the air until the required vacuum is reached.
- Stap 02
Adding the cleaning agent
Water and our cleaning agent then flow into the chamber from a second tank.
- Stap 03
Cleaning every layer
The vacuum drives the agent into every layer. Dirt between the layers is removed too, and batten pockets and corner reinforcements are cleaned thoroughly.
- Stap 04
Applying the coating
Our ST-02 coating protects the sail from dirt, water and UV light. Coated cloth gets dirty more slowly, and dirt stays on the surface, so it is easier to clean.
- Stap 05
Stiffening
The coating binds the warp and weft threads together again slightly. That reduces bias stretch and makes the sail stiffer.
- Stap 06
The result
Less distortion, a better shape and better sailing performance. The sail is water-repellent again and ready for a new season.
After cleaning 
The result
Fresh and
clean sails
Are your sails so dirty you have almost written them off? We are happy to take on the challenge. Drop them off at a collection point near you and collect them fresh and clean.
- Washed without wear using Airless Washing
- Dirt- and water-repellent ST-02 coating
- A stiffer sail with less bias stretch
- Not satisfied? Then you do not pay
Damaged?
Sail repair
Small repairs are carried out by the sailmaker where you drop off your sails, or by one of our specialist partners. Mention any repairs when you drop off; they are done after cleaning.
What we clean
Which sails we clean
You can have these sails cleaned and reproofed at ZONklaar.
Jib and genoa
The jib shapes both the performance and the look of your boat. Regular cleaning keeps it in shape.
Gennaker and spinnaker
Regular cleaning and a protective coating help gennakers and spinnakers last for years without losing quality.
Mainsail
Good care extends the life of your mainsail and prevents damage. Regular cleaning and reproofing improves sailing performance.
Kites
We also clean kitesurfing kites gently with the Airless Washing Method.
All sails
After cleaning, every sail gets a new dirt- and water-repellent coating.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about cleaning and reproofing.
Why reproof sailcloth after cleaning?
Reproofing protects the sail from dirt, damp and the weather. The cloth becomes water-repellent, so rain and spray bead off. Your sails stay cleaner and drier and last longer. Reproofing also helps prevent algae and moss, which like to grow on damp surfaces.
Does sail cleaning improve performance?
Yes, clean and dry sails offer the wind less resistance, which can improve speed and manoeuvrability. Our ST-02 coating reduces bias stretch and makes the sail stiffer: less distortion, a better shape and better sailing performance. Cleaning alone is not enough, though: the right tension and trim matter just as much.
How often should I have my sails cleaned and reproofed?
That depends on how often you sail and how exposed your sails are to the weather. In wet sailing areas or waters with a lot of algae, more frequent treatment is a good idea. If you sail less and store your sails under cover, you can wait longer. As a rule of thumb: once a season.
Can I wash a sail in a washing machine?
We advise against it. Most sails are made of delicate material, and a normal washing machine is too aggressive for the cloth. Eyelets and fittings can also be damaged in the wash. With the Airless Washing Method we clean sails without scrubbing, heat or pressure: spotlessly clean and gentle, for a long life.
Get in touch
Yes, I want my sails cleaned
Ask for a price indication or find a collection point near you.