How to Clean a Boat: Boat Cleaning 101

The tried-and-true method for avoiding long-term damage to a boat is to clean it regularly. The best times to do so are when it’s out of the water – the end and beginning of the summer season. If dirt and grime are allowed to build up on the exterior (and interior!) of the boat, it can cause permanent harm to all surfaces. Cleaning a boat is a multi-step process, but in the end, it’s all about patience and using the correct cleaning solutions for each surface.

 

Gather Boat Cleaning Supplies

 

Boat cleaners come in many shapes, styles and compositions. It’s best to keep it simple. The best boat cleaners will do their job, make the boat look fresh, but not break the bank.

 

Boat Soap/Cleaner

 

Boats are unique vehicles, exposed to elements and becoming dirty very easily. Regular soap can work, but there are a variety of boat cleaners on the market that are designed specifically for the kind of grime that’ll build up in the marine environment and the materials that boats are made of. Characteristics to look for include a strong formula, with the ability to clean a large area with an efficiently small amount of fluid. Some of these will be concentrates, meaning they’ll need to be mixed with water. You may also want something all-purpose for a soap, to do basic surfaces, and then a slightly more powerful product for washing the dirtiest areas, like the hull. Additionally, it’s good to check out the environmental qualities of the soap – is it biodegradable, or otherwise healthy for the water you’re boating in?

 

Microfiber Cloths

 

Soap is only as good as the material you’re using to spread it around. This could be anything – a sponge, a rag, but a microfiber cloth is a great option. Microfiber materials are durable and can withstand more grime exposure and washes than other fabrics. They are also typically gentler on smooth surfaces, able to clean without scratching paint or leaving lint behind.

 

Soft Bristle Brush

 

For good leverage and scrubbing power, a brush is the way to go. Look for ones that are long handled so you have more reach in tough spots on your boat. Typically, a brush with soft bristles will be better, as it will be able to achieve a powerful scrub without causing damage to underlying surfaces.

 

Upholstery or Vinyl Cleaner

 

Vinyl and fabrics require specialized cleansing products too! Most vinyl is treated with anti-microbials, so go for a gentle soapy rinse with a soft rag for general cleaning, and a dedicated marine vinyl cleaner for tough stains. For upholstery, sprays and cleansers designed for soft surfaces will work just fine.

 

Boat Wax

 

Once the process of washing is complete, waxing will seal in all that cleanliness and also help get your boat looking shiny and new. It will also help protect the boat’s finish from further grime, buildup and damage from UV rays. For easy use, you’ll want to get a dedicated wax kit.

 

Clean the Boat Hull

 

Since the boat’s hull has the most direct exposure to marine growth and water-borne contaminants, and it’s also the hardest to clean during the season if your boat is stored in the water, it’s key to do it now. Because hulls can get so dirty, cleaning the bottom of the boat may require a dedicated hull-cleaner, which will be a slightly stronger cleaning concentrate to break through the grime.

 

Scrub the Deck

 

Scrubbing or swabbing the deck isn’t just a task for pirates – all boats need to have their surfaces clean, especially those that you’ll be walking on. Cleaning a boat deck might look different depending on what materials are prominent, since some boats have a lot of carpet on deck and some are entirely made of a non-skid material. Whatever the case, it’s best to use a tool like a long-handled brush, so you can get at hard-to-reach areas without hurting your back. For these surfaces, a less intense dedicated boat soap will do the job, with warm water and your microfiber cloths.

 

Rinse & Organize Boat Console

 

For the boat console area, with all that plastic and glass and surfaces of electronics, keep in mind that a little will go a long way. An all-purpose or all-surface cleaner will absolutely do the trick in clearing away dust and other buildup. A dedicated microfiber for electronics will keep your expensive displays free from scratches and solvents.

 

Clean Boat Seats

 

Depending on what your seats are made of, grab your cleaning materials that are formulated for that material. For cleaning vinyl boat seats, this will look like soapy water and a marine vinyl cleaner. To clean boat upholstery, it may be easiest to take off the seat covers (if applicable) and launder them in cold water. If that’s not possible, a pass every once in a while, with a regular fabric cleaner will keep the material fresh.

 

De-Grease & Flush Motor

 

Cleaning engines is an important step! The most important part of your boat needs to be in tip-top shape. This means cleaning the exterior, taking off any buildups of grease, but also the insides. That process looks different in outboard vs. inboard motors, but in general, the idea is to do all you can to stave off corrosion or damage of any kind. For outboard engines, this involves hooking up a freshwater supply to the engine and flushing it thoroughly. If you have an inboard motor, you need to do the same thing, but the process may be different based on construction style. Consult your owner’s manual for detailed instructions based on your individual boat.

 

Polish & Wax the Boat

 

Once your boat is clean, the finishing touches on any cleaning job is polishing and waxing your boat. Polishing will remove any scuff marks from cleaning. If you don’t know how to polish a boat, check the instructions on your polishing and waxing kit. Many recommend using an electric buffer with a polishing pad attached (made of wool or a similar material). Once it’s fully dry, use a marine wax kit to spread a wax across the surface, providing a lustrous finish that will lock in your cleaning efforts and protect your boat from damage throughout the season.