If you’re a new boat owner, you may be wondering how to clean a boat. Regular maintenance and cleanings are essential to ensure that your boat stays in pristine condition.
The good news is that once you’ve developed a routine and process for cleaning, it becomes second nature. To save you time and stress, we’ve collected everything you need to know when it comes to cleaning your boat. Read on to learn a few can’t-miss boat cleaning tips.
Cleaning the Boat’s Interior
When cleaning the interior of the boat, you’ll want to focus on the carpet, fiberglass, cushions, and vinyl.
You can start by using a vacuum and then giving it an old-fashioned scrub. You can use a stiff-bristle brush, soap, and water to get out out any dirt or stains.
You can also use the bristle-brush, soap, and water to clean the fiberglass. If your fiberglass is non-slip, make sure you avoid using wax.
If you have any tough stains, you can use a cleaning product that contains bleach. But try to limit its use and make sure that you’ve thoroughly rinsed it all off once you’re done.
For vinyl, use gentle soap and water to scrub. If you need something tougher, try a cleaner specifically made for vinyl surfaces.
To clean your cushions, wash the material with cold water. Sometimes, the material is machine washable. If so, you can put it in the washing machine, but make sure to wash it on cold.
Wash the cushions as many times as necessary and let them air-dry before putting it back on the furniture.
Cleaning the Boat’s Exterior
The main areas of the boat’s exterior you’ll want to clean include the hull (and hull bottom), engine, teak, and canvas.
For the hull, you’ll need a reliable cleaner. Check out TheBetterBoat.com product for some of the best hull cleaners available. You’ll want to clean the surface of the hull about once a month, followed by a liquid wax.
You can clean the hull bottom the same way you clean the hull.
The boat canvas will also need to be cleaned monthly. Using a hose, wash it down with mild soap and water. If it needs a more intense cleaning, you can try adding a bit of baking soda to the soap and water mix.
For cleaning your outboard engine, use a mix of dish soap and water. For tougher spots, you can use a coarse sponge to scrub.
If you have an inboard engine, you’ll need to use caution when cleaning. Because there are electrical wires involved, a surface-level clean or rinse is about the best you can do without hiring a professional.
If you’re cleaning the teak of the boat, you can use soap and water most of the time. Yet, sometimes a more significant clean will be necessary. If so, remove the teak from the boat and then use an acid-based teak cleaner.
Now You Know How to Clean a Boat
This guide provides you with everything you need to know about how to clean a boat. The most important thing is to have the right cleaning products and to follow all the manufacturer’s instructions.
You’ll never regret having a clean boat, so get started on that cleaning!
