How to Clean a Boat the Right Way: The Complete Guide

If you own a boat, you need to understand how to care for it. You can click here to learn more about how to clean a boat properly.

Owning a boat gives you the freedom to pack up and cruise the open water as desired. There’s nothing more liberating than being able to explore the ocean whenever you please. You don’t have to worry about scheduling a charter or finding an available time slot.

The ocean, lake, or river is yours to take on as soon as you prepare your boat for the day. As rewarding as this is, it does come with responsibilities, however. You’ll need to learn how to clean a boat and how often it should be cleaned. 

Because the boat is yours, no one else will be responsible for doing so but yourself. You’ll want to ensure the boat is cleaned and well-maintained if you want to enjoy it for several years to come. 

Keep reading for our guide on how to wash a boat with these boat cleaning tips! 

Rinse After Each Use

After a beautiful day out on the water, your boat will have residue from saltwater or residue from debris in the water left on it. If not removed after each use, the debris left on your boat can cause damage. Dirt and grime can become stuck on the boat and slime can begin to grow as well. 

It’s essential that you rinse the boat off after each use to prevent this build-up. You also want to rinse your boat off before cleaning it, whether you took it out or not, as scrubbing a dry boat can cause scratches. 

Wash With Boat Wash and Sponge

After a good rinse, you can then wash your boat using a boat wash such as Better Boat cleaner and a soft sponge. Be sure to get every inch of your boat from corner to corner and under all the seats as well. The soft sponge will prevent any scratching. 

When you’re done washing the boat, rinse again. For certain areas of the boat with different types of material, you can follow our tips below.

Vinyl

Most vinyl on a boat will come treated with antimicrobials. This is what prevents mildew and mold from growing on the vinyl. If you use a harsh chemical cleaner to clean it, you may end up removing this coating. 

Instead, use a mix of warm water and a gentle soap to clean any vinyl on the boat. You can use a soft rag or sponge to scrub the surfaces. If there are stains on the vinyl, you can use a cleaner made specifically for vinyl to remove the stains with. 

Carpeting

If your boat has marine carpeting inside it, then you’ll want to vacuum the carpet before you rinse the boat off. The vacuum will remove any loose dirt or debris before you wash it. If the carpet is damp, you can use a wet vac. 

After vacuuming, rinse it with water and scrub it using soap and a tough bristle brush. The thought bristle brush will get down into the fibers to get a good clean. When done, you can use a wet vac to soak up the water in the carpet and then use fans to help dry it quickly. 

Fiberglass

Non-slip fiberglass can’t be treated with wax because the wax will remove the non-slip coating and cause it to become slippery. Because of this, you want to clean your non-slip fiberglass with soap, water, and your tough bristle brush. 

When finished, rinse the surface and then apply a non-slip treatment to the fiberglass. This treatment isn’t wax but a protective coating that’ll keep your non-slip fiberglass in good condition. 

Cushions

If you have issues with your seat cushions growing middle or becoming stained over time, then you can remove the covering and wash them in the machine in cold water if they’re non-vinyl. Be sure not to use hot water or place them in the dryer as doing so could cause them to shrink.

When cleaning the foam under the covers, you can sprinkle baking soda on top of them and let it sit for a couple of hours before removing it. You can rinse with water and then allow the foam to air dry. Don’t place the covers back on until the foam has dried out completely. 

Buff Out the Exterior and Wax

If the exterior of your boat isn’t as shiny as it once was, you can buff out the exterior to bring the shine back. You can use a rotary buffer to buff it out before applying a wax. The wax will make your boat look cleaner, but it’ll also help prevent any grime, mildew, and other dirt or debris from building on its exterior surface.

Be sure to use a wax that’s made specifically for boats. Boat wax is made to withstand the boat being submerged in water. Other waxes, for cars, won’t have this capability. 

Then, wax small sections at a time so you can buff the wax off as you go, leaving your boat sparkling. 

Learn How to Clean a Boat Today

Owning a boat has so many wonderful benefits. You’re able to pack up your family for the day and head out on the water as the perfect getaway. The only way to ensure you’re able to do this for years to come, however, is if you take proper care of your boat.

Learn how to clean a boat today by reading through this guide and enjoy your boat for many years!

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