A grill cover is a protective covering that we use to protect our grill from rain, humidity, and hot and cold weather. When we don’t use the covered grill for some time the cover gets messy with dust. Additionally, when you wear the grill cover on a dirty grill then the food particles and the grease stick to the grill cover and make it dirty.
Over time, these food particles start stinking and attract the microorganisms that cause a big loss by developing molds and rust. Our detailed guide provides comprehensive steps to clean a grill cover, from removing loose debris to properly air-drying the freshly washed material.
6. Steps to Clean a Grill Cover
1. Essential Cleaning Supplies
Always start your cleaning process when you gather all the necessary things. The grill cover is of different qualities from different companies and brands. Everyone has their own features and cleaning instructions. So, it is better to collect the main materials that are a must for cleaning.
- A soft-bristled brush for removing the debris from the grill cover.
- A sponge for applying soap on dirty and messy areas.
- A soap or dish detergent for removing the grease from the cover.
- Water for washing the cover, and a tub for making the soapy solution.
2. Remove the Cover From the Grill
When you are done with gathering all your required stuff for cleaning the grill cover start by removing the cover from the grill. If you see the grill is covered with the grill cover and it is messy all around, try to remove it first.
Don’t start cleaning the grill cover when it is on your grill because you will tear it while cleaning like this. Carefully remove it you opening the knots first which will be at the bottom of the grill near the wheels. Some parts of the grill are a little sharp so try to be calm while completely removing it from the grill.
3. Remove Loose Dirt and Debris
Spread the grill cover as much as possible, take the brush, and start removing the debris. The food particles are easy to remove but the oil and grease make the cleaning hard. It will stick the dirt on the cover when you brush it. Try to remove as much of the dirt as possible while the next step will remove the dirt completely with the help of a cleaning solution.
4. Apply Soap and Scrub
Pour warm water into the tub, add dish detergent soap, and make a soapy solution. Don’t use harsh dish soap because it might damage the cover. Take a sponge of cleaning cloth, dip it in the solution, and rub those areas that contain dirt. Scrub the areas gently and pay close attention to the oily and mold-affected areas because they are dangerous to health.
5. Clean the Inside of the Grill Cover
Turn the inside out and check if there are dirt and food particles stuck. If you see them, take the brush and scrub them first, and then apply the soapy solution to them. The inside is easily contaminated because the grease and the old stuck to the grill can easily transfer to the inside part of the grill cover. It is, therefore, necessary to clean the grill by following a few steps to ensure that the inside of the grill will not get mold or attract other microorganisms.
6. Wash and Dry the Cover
Once you have completely scrubbed the messy grill cover and you see no dirt spots on it then go for washing it. Wash it thoroughly and when the soap is completely removed hang it properly. It will take time to get dry but if you and to make the drying process fast then you can use other techniques. When it is dried reattach it to your grill but make sure your grill is clean too, or else your struggle will be ruined.
Cleaning a Dirty Vinyl Grill Cover
Grill covers made of vinyl have many advantages but if you don’t care about it properly it will start ripping off. However, cleaning vinyl grill covers is easy and does not take much time. The food particles and the grease do not absorb in the vinyl fabric which makes the cleaning easy.
Take a soft-bristled brush and remove the spots from the cover. After removing the particles make a soapy solution, dip a soft cloth in it, and start cleaning from one side until you reach the other side. Give more attention to the areas like the one near to the hood and power knobs.
When you remove the stains, dip the vinyl cover in the hose full of water or take a water pipe and remove the soap from the cover. After cleaning the cover allow it to dry completely before using it on your grill.
Precautionary Measures for a Grill Cover
- Regular maintenance plays an important role in increasing the life of the grill cover. It is necessary to brush off the food particles from the cover before washing.
- Clean the grill cover once in a month if you are using your grill weekly or fortnightly because the grill makes the cover dirty. Cleaning periodically protects the cover from damage and tough stains.
- When you are done with the grilling try to wait till the grill gets cool down and then wear the grill cover. Place the covered grill in a cool and dry place and try to store it in an area where no sharp objects are around.
- It is necessary to cover the grill completely with a proper storage cover because there are possibilities to have food particles on the grill. These particles give opportunities to molds for growth when there is a required amount of air around.
- If the material is shrinkable then hang it in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will have UV rays that can damage the material fiber and make it shrink.
- Before covering the grill make sure that the grill cover is completely dry, otherwise it will attract the mold spores that spread so fast.
Cleaning a Moldy Grill Cover
Mold and mildew can easily grow on the grill cover because of the food particles, particularly in humid or damp environments. A grill cover does not get mold by itself but from the dirty grill that attracts the microorganisms. When you don’t clean the grill and put the cover on it, the molds get a chance and spread easily on the whole cover.
However, you can clean the grill cover if the mold just starts to grow. First, find the white and black spots on the cover. Take a cleaning brush and try to scrub those spots completely. After scrubbing take a bowl and make a soapy solution of water and detergent and apply on those areas that you already scrubbed. You can also use specialized mold-removing cleaners Which are no doubt easy to use and make the cleaning easy.
Wash the cover with clean water and check if there is any remaining mold on the grill. When you don’t see anything on the grill cover try to dry it in open air before wearing it. We are not recommending you use the commercial cleaner again and again instead use homemade solutions like vinegar and baking soda. After cleaning, rinse the cover thoroughly to eliminate any remaining cleaning solution.
Preventing Mold from Regrowing on the Grill Cover
- After cleaning, ensure the cover is completely dry. Hang it in a well-ventilated area or lay it flat in direct sunlight. Turning the cover inside out helps in drying both the exterior and interior surfaces completely.
- Clean and dry your grill cover when you find dirt or food particles on your cover to prevent mold growth. This routine maintenance is important for maintaining the cover’s appearance and functionality.
- If you are storing your grill outside or in the storage room then buy mold inhibitors that are specifically designed for outdoor fabrics. These inhibitors can prevent mold spores from growing on them and reduce the likelihood of their regrowth.
- When you are not using your grill cover store it in a cool, and dry place. Completely dry it before storing it to avoid creating conditions for mold and mildew growth.
Washing a Dirty Grill Cover
Washing your grill cover is an easy process but you need to check the instructions written on one side of the cover. A well-reputed brand always gives proper instructions for washing and taking care of their product. If it is written to wash the cover in the washing machine then add the required water in the machine with a detergent. Give the cover a gentle and delicate cycle avoid giving extra cycles, and don’t use jeans and other hard materials with your grill cover.
If the instruction does not allow to wash in the washing machine, then go for hand washing. It is also an easy and straight process but the folding at the edges makes it a little bit hard. So, to avoid the issues, make a solution of warm water and mild detergent in a basin or a tub. First, dip the cover in the solution and leave it for some time. After take it out and start scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush. Gently scrub the cover or better use a sponge.
Drying Your Grill Cover After Washing
When you completely wash the grill cover, don’t put it on the grill directly. Dry the cover properly by using different techniques. If your grill cover is small, it is easy to make it dry by hanging it outside in the open air. If the cover is large, it will take a longer time to dry.
Use a clothesline and put the cover on it wide open to allow maximum air circulation. Check the cover timely and when you see it’s dry from the outside, put the inside out and hang again. Avoid direct sunlight on the wet grill cover as it will damage the fibers of the grill cover.
Some of the fibers get shrunk so always check the manufacturer’s instructions before hanging your wet grill cover in direct sunlight. You can also use an air dryer for drying by setting the air dryer on low heat and drying it starting from one side. This is an easy method and takes less time drying and maintaining the grill cover.
Conclusion
A grill cover protects the grill from dust, weather, and microorganisms. With the passage of time, the grill cover gets messy and home for molds as well. It is necessary to clean the grill cover when you see a mess on it because it will ruin it. So, for maintaining the cover in good condition take a brush and scrub the food particles first, and then take a sponge and scrub the cover till the grease and food particles are removed.
At the end wash the cover with clean water and dry it completely. It is necessary to clean the inside of the grill too because it is covering the grill so the chances of mess on the inside are greater. Washing in a washing machine is also possible but it is better to read the manufacturer’s instructions before going to this method.