Cleaning Tips for your Boat’s Interior
Keeping your ship clean can be a bit of a hassle if you don’t keep up with it regularly. Even worse, important parts and implements can quickly fall into disrepair! We’ve compiled a few easy cleaning tasks that can be done monthly that will keep your boat looking spic and span. If your boat's interior has fallen into disrepair, or you're having trouble keeping up with its maintenance, you can always visit our service department in Nisswa, Minnesota!
The Deck
To clean your deck, you’ll want to grab a hose, some boat cleaner, and a soft scrub brush. We also advise using a squeegee if you have one along with a broom. Your deck is likely the dirtiest part of your ship, and you’ll want to give it a good sweep before getting started. Try to get as much debris as possible and be sure to pick up any trash that might be laying about. Leftover dirt and dust will be washed away with a spray of your hose. Once your deck is good and wet, bust out your cleaner and scrub brush. While the entire deck will need to be washed, be sure to give extra attention to stuck-on substances. Afterward, you can squeegee away the excess water.
Rust and Hard Water Stains
A number of items on your ship likely have hard water stains. To combat this you can buy a cleaning formula, or create your own mixture with vinegar and water. Spray these stains with your cleaning agent and wipe them down with a towel. Be sure to give the affected items a spray of clean water afterward so they don’t smell like vinegar. For rust stains, you’ll need to buy a rust remover for boats. Simply apply the remover and allow it to sit on the affected area for a long period of time. The bottle should advise you on the minimum wait time. Afterward, scrub the area until the rust is gone.
Livewell and Bilge
If your ship has a livewell you’ll need to clean it very carefully. If cleaning agents come in contact with your fish they will not be suitable for consumption. A mixture of water and baking soda on the removable parts of your livewell, such as the screens, will help kill germs and remove smells. You can also refill your livewell with fresh water and add in vinegar and peroxide. Allow your aerators to run for 30 minutes before emptying the livewell and refilling once again with fresh water. To clean your bilge you’ll need to drain them completely and purchase a bilge boat cleanser. Following the directions on the bottle, allow the soap to sit for as long as possible. You can then rinse the soap away and scrub at any leftover grime. It should come off very easily, and your bilge will look good as new.
Glass and Metal Implements
Lastly, you’ll want to take a wet rag and sud it up with dish soap. Wash all glass and metal instruments on your ship, then follow up with a good rinse and dry. If you notice windows still look streaky after cleaning them, you can grab a normal window cleaner and wipe them down. This should give you a clear view of every window!
We hope this article has been helpful in instructing you on how to clean some important components of your boat! We here at Nisswa Marine know how important boat maintenance can be to its longevity. If you have any questions and are located in the cities of Minneapolis or St. Cloud, Minnesota, feel free to stop by our dealership and speak to an experienced staff member! Our dealership has been in business since the 1930s and we have an extremely knowledgeable sales staff!