- There are a few necessary items to maintain a well-kept boat:
A day on the lake is all sunshine and relaxation, but owning a boat is more than playing in the water. Proper boat ownership includes maintenance to ensure your vessel’s appearance, longevity, and value. Luckily, there are several tools and cleaners on the market to keep your vessel in pristine condition. Whether you need to remove salt, grime, or mildew, these products are sure to help you.
Boat Cleaner
One of the primary products for boat cleaning is a high-quality boat soap or marine cleaner, like this one from West Marine. These specialized cleaners are designed to effectively remove salt, grime, and other common contaminants found in marine environments. Although formulated to be gentle, this sudsy aid provides thorough cleaning power for exteriors. Boat soaps or marine cleaners are essential for routine maintenance and are typically used for washing the boat’s hull and decks.
Great for both the hull and the floor, this special soap keeps your vessel water ready. But boaters clean a vessel like their teeth — a brush is needed. Most deck brushes feature a multi-bristled head with an extendable body and telescopic handle to reach difficult spots.
Mildew Cleaner
One struggle boaters everywhere complain about is mildew. Try as they might, boatowners are bound to miss a spot when cleaning, and that is all it takes for mildew to form. Mildew thrives in damp areas, making vessels a prime location. These boat cleaners remove mildew stains and ward off potential popups. Manufacturers designed these products to be safe on various surfaces and fabrics commonly found on boats. Regular use prevents buildup, eliminates odors, and prolongs the lifespan of cushions and similar items.
Bling Sauce is a brand for and by boaters with a mission to imagine, create, and distribute solutions to boating woes. One of their products, Green Sauce, boasts a biodegradable spray to defeat mildew and mold on your vessel. Their formula is safe for color, vinyl, outdoor fabric, carpet, and fiberglass — all without chlorine, bleach, or ammonia!
Bilge Cleaner
Readers may have noticed that most boat cleaning tools tend to be soapy liquids, but they are not just to improve aesthetic appeal. One example is the bilge, an area within the boat that collects and pumps out water. Bilge water may contain salt, oil, fuel, or other contaminants that corrode metal components, such as pumps, wiring, and other mechanical systems. By keeping the bilge clear and removing any water or substances that could cause corrosion, you help protect the boat’s components and reduce unnecessary damage.
No need for a lengthy trip to the store or ordering online, as one common bilge cleaner is in the kitchen. Known globally for its part in assisting with the BP oil spill, Dawn Dish Soap is safe for bilges too. To use Dawn for bilge cleaning, add a fair amount of soap to a bucket of water, include a splash of bleach, and soak below.
Glass Cleaner
Just like cars, it’s important to keep your window clear of grime and gunk. Among other things, a traditional windshield will protect from dirt, bugs, and wind, but the windshield on a boat faces different challenges. On the water, glass must be able to withstand saltwater, sea spray, and other environmental elements. Many boat glass cleaners have additional properties that make them effective at sea. Water-repellent helps bead water, encouraging it to roll off the glass surface, which can be particularly useful when boating in wet or rainy conditions.
Chemical Guys offers a series of sprays and cleaners catered toward boaters, and their product, Marine and Boat Optical Clean Glass Cleaner, reduces scratching, prevents water spots, and works for both tinted and non-tinted glass. After treatment, salt and minerals will be unable to stick onto and dry on applied surfaces.
With the right tools, you can enjoy your time on the water while keeping your boat looking its best.