How to Effectively Clean the Inside and Outside of Your Boat?

Proper maintenance of a boat is critical to its safety and performance, as well as its appearance and value. Among all the maintenance items, ‘how to effectively clean the inside and outside of your boat?’ is the most basic and important part. Whether it is seawater erosion on the outside of the hull, or oil and mildew on the inside, systematic cleaning and care not only prolongs the life of the boat, but also reduces the high cost of maintenance in the long run. Below, Yachttrading has compiled a practical guide to help you complete your cleaning tasks more efficiently.

How to Clean the Exterior of a Boat Effectively?

Cleaning the exterior of your boat is a relatively simple process, using mainly water and, if necessary, cleaning products.

Step 1: Pull the Boat Out of the Water

If conditions permit, it is advisable to remove the boat from the water first. This makes it easier to do a full cleaning and avoids contaminating the water with cleaning agents. Many marinas have special cleaning areas available. If the boat is too large to dewater, see the ‘How to Clean Your Boat in the Water’ section at the end of this article.

Step 2: Remove Surface Debris

Before rinsing, manually remove any scum, shellfish or large foreign objects from the hull. Afterwards, use a suitable cleaning agent to dissolve the attached dirt, which is very important for removing contaminants that have built up over time.

Step 3: Rinse Thoroughly With Water

Thorough rinsing takes away any chemicals left behind from the cleaning process and prevents the surface of the hull from being corroded by residual agents, ensuring that the cleaned hull is fit for re-entry into the water.

Step 4: Dry the Hull Completely

Before waxing a boat, it is important to ensure that the surface of the hull is free of water. Drying is therefore essential and usually needs to be done on shore to ensure that the subsequent treatment goes smoothly.

Step 5: Protecting the Hull With Wax

Once the basic cleaning is complete, waxing the hull will greatly increase the UV resistance and make the surface more resistant to staining and fading. This is especially important for fibreglass structures that have not been repainted for a long time. It is recommended to wax for 10-15 minutes and then buff the surface to bring back the shine.

How to Effectively Clean the Inside of the Hull?

Cleaning the interior of a boat is often overlooked, but in fact seats, bilges and decks are more prone to dirt and odour build-up and require regular cleaning and maintenance. To clean the interior of a boat, a brush, a towel and an environmentally friendly cleaner are usually used:

Step 1: Thoroughly Clean the Bilges

As the lowest part of the hull, the bilge is prone to odour and dirt accumulation due to poor ventilation, and may even have oil residues. It is recommended to use a special bilge cleaning solution, brush with water, and use a hoover to clean up sewage in time to keep it dry and fresh.

Step 2: Clean the Seats

Seats on board are prone to ageing and discolouration due to prolonged exposure to the sun. It is recommended to remove dust with a vacuum cleaner and then wipe them with a special seat cleaner and a soft towel. For stubborn stains, repeat the process and wipe with a dry cloth.

Step 3: Clean the Deck With Special Cleaner

The deck of the hull is very susceptible to mud, sand and grease stains, especially on the non-slip surface. You can use a special cleaning solution for the deck with a soft brush to keep the deck clean and tidy to enhance the look and feel, and also to avoid the risk of slipping.

Common Sense and Practical Suggestions for Hull Cleaning

Different hull materials need to be cleaned accordingly.

For example, FRP is suitable for mild decontamination products, avoiding corrosive chemicals when treating stubborn stains; aluminium should avoid abrasive cleaners to prevent damage to the coating.

Bilge sewage compartments are recommended to use biodegradable cleaning solutions, which are soaked and then drained of waste water and sent to a professional treatment point.

In-water cleaning of areas below the waterline should be done in snorkelling or diving gear with specialised brush gear.

Cleaning on the trailer is more manoeuvrable and is recommended to be done in conjunction with a hose brush attachment, which can be followed by a waxing treatment when finished.

For cleaning frequency, the exterior of the hull is usually treated every 1 to 3 months, while the interior should be cleaned promptly after each use.

Recommended List of Supplies for Hull Cleaning

To increase cleaning efficiency and reduce environmental burden, the following supplies are recommended:

Microfibre cloths and sponges

Bilge/seat cleaner

Stain remover and all-purpose cleaner

Hoover

White vinegar, baking soda (homemade eco-friendly cleaner)

Spray bottles, buckets, soft brushes, etc.

Please try to choose pH-neutral, biodegradable products when using them to minimise the potential impact on the ecology of water bodies. Homemade recipes like white vinegar and baking soda are not only natural and non-toxic, but also possess good cleaning power.

Cleaning your boat's hull may seem trivial, but it is the key to prolonging the life of your boat and safeguarding its sailing performance. Knowing how to effectively clean the inside and outside of the hull in the right way can keep your boat as good as new for a long time, and also bring you more peace of mind and more comfortable sailing experience. As a one-stop platform focusing on yacht pricing consulting, trading, shipping and maintenance, Yachttrading suggests that you incorporate cleaning and maintenance into your daily maintenance programme - starting from the details, to protect your sailing.