Visit our Popular Forums

RetiredSailor · 07-05-2009, 15:33

Just spent a few hours at dockside scrubbing the winter grime off my boat's decks with soapy water, brush, and lots of elbow grease. I'm thinking, there has to be a better way. Ideally I'd like to find a product that I spray on a wet deck, come back in a couple hours, and spray it off to find a nice clean deck. Only product like that I know is a crewman to scrub until I return, but no luck there.

What's the best product for low-effort, non-skid, cleaning of decks? And, preferably, keep the grime off?

D.D. · 07-05-2009, 16:14

Just be aware whatever you clean the deck with will also run down your hull. If it removes grime easily, it most likely wil also remove the wax on your hull. So you need to be prudent on your choice of cleaner.

svHyLyte · 08-05-2009, 06:33

Try "Greased Lightning" , available at Lowes, Home Depot, Ace et al. It does a good job and is better at cleaning teak than the two part cleaners at WM. Just don't get it on plastic ports, varnish work you don't want removed; or, aluminum.

FWIW...

s/v HyLyte

Rick · 08-05-2009, 09:32

I use Ivory Snow because you can brush your sail covers and Sunbrella without concern of material degradation. In addition, neighbors observing your cleaning cannot complain that you are using an environmental unfriendly (or perhaps illegal in my area) detergent.

Only problem is that one still must use a brush (hense some elbowgrease). At least rinsing is easy, bare teak will come clean and the black and green grunge will come off. I think that the Seattle area is called the Emerald City is because of the green algae and molds grow from the moisture. Such color will not go away without scrubbing, even if you use detergents and bleaches.

captain465 · 08-05-2009, 09:56

I've been thinking about using one of those low end pressure washers. No "soap" would really be necessary, but you could use something like Ivory snow if you really think it would help. Just be carefull of how you spray it around wood work.........it will cut into the wood!

Dutch · 08-05-2009, 18:17

Cover the deck with soap,go sailing,bury the rail with lots of spray - all done! LOL

**s/v Jedi** · 08-05-2009, 21:39

Are we talking about teak decks? if so: scrub scrub scrub. If we're not talking about teak: small pressure washer without any soap! One of our better investments. For spots that don't clean up with the pressure washer: on & off.

Never use a pressure washer on teak, but you know that of course.

cheers,
Nick.

islanderskipper · 11-06-2009, 02:26

I suspect that if they are non skid decks they are fibreglass I have the same on my decks and use "Easy Clean" its exactly what you asked for spray on wash off. I have been using it for years.
Their site is at www.boat-cleaner.co.uk.

Hope that helps.

David

idpnd · 11-06-2009, 05:15

high-pressure cleaner! does it

islanderskipper · 11-06-2009, 05:47

idpnd
I use one of those to, brilliant.

But it wont get off the yellow waterline staining that we get here in the UK. Or come to that the black exhaust staining I get from my engine.I must Make a note to replace it next year, it seems now that it is hemorrhaging money from my bank account

. "Easy Clean" does all the above + rust stains from the anchor well outlet.

Thats it for now I,m off sailing tomorrow

ramron67 · 11-07-2023, 11:09

OK, well some seabirds had a party on my deck, and I was left with sun-baked bird-poop and fish guts on my non-skid.
I used a lot of elbow grease but still could not get it off.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

Tayana42 · 11-07-2023, 12:32

Bar Keepers Friend and a scrub brush. It has a mild abrasive and oxalic acid (wood bleach). Wet the deck, apply the Bar Keepers, give it 10 minutes. Then scrub.

ramron67 · 11-07-2023, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tayana42

Bar Keepers Friend and a scrub brush. It has a mild abrasive and oxalic acid (wood bleach). Wet the deck, apply the Bar Keepers, give it 10 minutes. Then scrub.

Thanks for that reply. I know Bar Keeper's Friend very well, but I haven't used it on my boat. Is it safe for fiberglass non-skid decks?

Thanks again.