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Maka · 06-08-2015, 12:46

I'm looking at a boat to buy that has been buttoned up for 6 years in its slip.
There is mold and mildew everywhere.

How do I clean it?

Someone recommended a steam cleaning outfit here, but since there is gorgeous wood everywhere, including the headliner, I'm worried about hot steam on the finishes, not to mention adding more water / humidity to the boat. Then of course there are cushions ( fabric ) everywhere.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Maka

zboss · 06-08-2015, 13:54

Die mold! Die! - Tiki Trek Sailing

belizesailor · 06-08-2015, 16:35

There is some really effective and toxic stuff called "Anti Hongos" available here in Central America. IIRC it is a Clorox product so maybe available elsewhere. Good for cleaning really bad stuff, but use protective gear and lots of ventilation.

A bleach solution for initial cleaning works pretty well followed up with a wipe down of vinegar to keep it under control. Ample ventilation and sunlight help too (lay cushions out in the sun for example).

thinwater · 06-08-2015, 16:49

Try this for just pennies:

One Penny Mildew Spray - Inside Practical Sailor Blog Article

Formula B
1 quart hot water
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons Borax
1 tablespoon TSP

Many variations are possible. The key is DO NOT make it stronger. You want to leave the residue in place, without rinsing, to prevent regrowth.

For on-deck applications there are some excellent silicon-based quat amines (Marine Shield etc.).

Snowpetrel · 06-08-2015, 20:18

Personally I would want a pretty steep discount, mould is a recurring problem, and once it gets a good toehold it is damn hard to get rid of it. Look up the heath effects of mould in buildings and the issues around its eradication to get a feel for the scope of the problem. Given that its probably got in behind every panel and into every nook and cranny to do it right might mean removing a lot of the interior.

Many years ago I delivered a 28 foot wooden yacht across the Tasman. A sweet Holman Sterling 28 called "Wild Chorus" She had been left shut up in Brisbane for a year or so, and was full of mould. We scrubbed and bleached until it all looked pretty good, but halfway across the Tasman (It was the middle of winter and we were heading to Wellington) the mould started to flourish, all our books started to blacken, and it marched across the overhead. we started throwing anything that wasn't essential overboard, like blackened books and pillows. And I am sure the experience has left me hypersensitive to mould, as I can smell it when nobody else seems to notice it, and can't stand to be in a mouldy space, coughing and struggling to breathe.

Anyway enough doom and gloom, see Untie the lines on youtube for a really serious mould problem, and a reasonably successful clean up (I hope).

If I had to tackle it I would get a full face mask and tyvek suit+gloves. A big air blower for the hatch, and a pressure washer. once the visible mould is gone, treat it with thinwaters mix. or bleach then vinegar. and start unscrewing lining and start again to kill the mould behind all the liners. Bin all the cushions and any fabric. You will not get the mould out of them. Don't just hit it with bleach. It might kill the mould but it always comes back. You have to physically remove the mould, then bleach it to kill any last residue.

DeepFrz · 06-08-2015, 20:29

Tea Tree Oil is good to use on mould as well. Again, don't wipe it all off. Oxyclean seems to work quite well.

Maka · 06-08-2015, 20:59

Die mold! Die! - Tiki Trek Sailing

Thanks zboss. The reply to die for.
( Pun intended )
I have my work cut out for me.
Cant wait for your next installment.
Best of all your plan keeps mold / mildew from returning.

Maka

D&D · 07-08-2015, 22:50

Dettol really works, fast and effective...

Like others here posted already, though, if the mold is well entrenched it may be impossible to get rid of it completely.

Maka · 08-08-2015, 00:03

Thanks every one. Lots of good advice.
This problem may be worse than I first thought.
I meet w a professional boat cleaner tomorrow. It will be interesting to see what he has to say. At least now I know more ... enough to tell if he knows what hes talking about.
I'll let you know what he says.

Maka

Steadman Uhlich · 08-08-2015, 00:11

I would choose another boat.

Storm Petrel made many good points.

In my view, the health risks are too serious. The boat, even if at a discount is not worth having difficulty breathing and other effects of exposure to mold.

befree · 09-08-2015, 10:36

I'm in the mold remediation business.......Mold is pretty simple but takes some time.

I would recommend not using bleach and vinegar. This is a toxic mix with fumes. If there is a bleach residue after the cleaning and then you use vinegar, you better make sure you have a full face mask.

If you want to use bleach, you should mix it with dish soap or some kind of wetting agent to remove the hyphae. Mold usually returns because you have not removed the hyphae or the spores. You can remove most of the spores with a good ventilation system and hepa vacuuming. Almost any good cleaning agent will remove surface mold on hard surfaces, and most of the time the more expensive stuff is just hype. Clothing and fabrics can be saved most of the time with specialty cleaners and this is where it gets a little more complicated. If a boat or structure is kept clean and dry there shouldn't be a mold problem. Proper ventilation and humidity control will in most instances keep mold away.

A friend of mine is working on a new clear coating that is painted or wiped on all surfaces that will prevent mold growth. If the surfaces become soiled then mold can take hold on the soiled surface, but if it is kept clean mold shouldn't grow. Hopefully this product will show up in a year or so.

Good luck

dpddj · 09-08-2015, 10:48

[QUOTE=thinwater;1885128]Try this for just pennies:

One Penny Mildew Spray - Inside Practical Sailor Blog Article

Formula B
1 quart hot water
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons Borax
1 tablespoon TSP QUOTE]

Be sure to use the liquid form of TSP. The powder did not dissolve for beans.

thinwater · 09-08-2015, 11:30

[QUOTE=dpddj;1886916]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinwater

Try this for just pennies:

One Penny Mildew Spray - Inside Practical Sailor Blog Article

Formula B
1 quart hot water
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons Borax
1 tablespoon TSP QUOTE]

Be sure to use the liquid form of TSP. The powder did not dissolve for beans.

Was it actually TSP, or some sort of TSP substitute? TSP is quite soluble in hot water--there was some other problem or the TSP was cheap and off-specification.