A sparkling clean yacht will feel like a new boat!

Feel free to disagree with us, but we believe a large part of enjoying a yacht is cleaning her! It’s both a journey and destination – the labour is calming and almost meditative, while the result is a clean boat that is a joy to behold and a pleasure to use. The task of cleaning your yacht may seem daunting, but it is actually quite simple when broken down into parts. Here are some of the products you’ll need to complete the assignment successfully.

Before we begin, the general rule of thumb for cleaning supplies is to get those that are environmentally safe as often as possible. Always read the labels of cleaning agents before you buy them, use even the gentlest of cleaners sparingly, and only use the most harmful stuff when the boat is out of the water.

All-purpose boat cleaners

Seasoned boaters know to always have an all-purpose cleaner on board, and an eco-friendly cleaner from Simple Green Marine or Fantastik is highly recommended, although a product from almost any other brand will fare as well. The cleaner can be used on most hard surfaces of the boat like cleaning the deck, wiping down tables, simple cleaning of barbecue pits, and even cleaning fish blood. Like most cleaners, however, these products will strip away wax, so take care around waxed surfaces. You can use it to wash the side of the boat down to the water line regularly too.

Bleach

Bleach is highly toxic to marine life, so use it sparingly and dispose of it carefully. However, this chemical is absolutely necessary for boaters who spend a long time out at sea. Adding a safe amount to the water tank keeps the water from spoiling, and the stuff is also great to clean and disinfect toilets and sinks.

Vinegar

Just like the above 2 items, seasoned boaters know to keep some vinegar on board at all times. The liquid is so versatile and is not just for cooking! It can be used to clean vegetables, disinfect surfaces, and break up calcification in the toilet. It will even stop mold growth when mixed with water and wiped on wood surfaces. If the smell is unappealing to you, just add a drop or two of lemon oil to the mixture. When using vinegar to clean, the best practice is to leave it on the surface for a few minutes to work, and then wipe it off with a wet cloth.

Toilet bowl cleaners

Boat heads are notoriously pungent, but there are eco-friendly ways to keep the smell away and have a fresh and pleasant head. Products like Ecover’s toilet bowl cleaner are just the thing for this, but there are many other brands out there that are also friendly to the environment and easy to use.

Chrome cleaners

While all-purpose cleaners would work on chrome, this finishing is best cleaned with product formulated for the surface, as the cleaner would be slightly abrasive to polish the chrome at the same time. Get a cleaner without bleach to not damage the surface, and never use it on other smooth surfaces because, as mentioned, the cleaner is slightly abrasive.

Hull cleaners

Most of us in this side of the world will keep our boats in the water year-round, and inevitably, ugly stains will develop along the waterline. The stain can be quite stubborn, and usually an all-purpose cleaner won’t be successful in removing it. For this, you’ll need a a strong hull cleaner, and most of them are highly damaging to the environment, so don’t do this in the water. You’ll want to clean the entire hull of the boat anyway at this time, and this is best done by lifting the boat out. It is a fair bit of work, it’s true, but cleaning the hull is the best way to refresh the vessel and give it that new-boat look.

Wax

In our opinion, this is one of the most labour-intensive parts of boat maintenance. Yes, you read that right – waxing the boat is less about cleaning, and more about maintaining, as it will keep the surfaces of the boat looking new. It’s quite laborious, because the wax needs to be wiped on, and then buffed out as well. It’s not just the hull that should be waxed either, as any part of the boat with plastic, vinyl, and fiberglass can benefit from being waxed. If the vessel is a few years old, consider polishing the surfaces first, before adding a coat of wax.

Bilge cleaners

The bilge is often neglected, but it requires cleaning now and then too to eliminate the growth of mold and eliminate strong odors. Boats with bilge pumps will also benefit from this, as then life of the pump and its accompanying parts won’t be shortened unexpectedly. Both toxic and eco-friendly products are available, and of course we recommend the latter. Let the cleaner soak for a few hours, then scrub the area and rinse out the biodegradable slurry. If you have a bilge pump, it’s a good idea to run the pump with the cleaner too as this will help to clean out its innards.

Let’s conclude

Other surfaces that require cleaning and care, like leather or fabrics, can often be cleaned with the same products used in homes, so you don’t have to buy marine-specific cleaners for them. Perform casual cleaning often, and then a thorough one every few months. This will go a long way in keeping the boat looking tip-top, and eventually help its resale value. Pen Marine’s chandlery does stock many of these cleaning supplies, including brushes and cloths as well. You can get in touch with us here for more enquiries.