Looking for the most useful exterior and interior boat cleaning supplies? We’ve got your back. Having a boat comes with responsibilities. Part of these includes maintenance.
One of the most important maintenance tasks to perform is boat cleaning.
Here, you’ll be dealing with water stains, as well as common dirt problems. In any case, keeping your boat clean will require the use of essential supplies.
Boat Cleaning Products And Equipment
While most cleaning supplies are great and give you the best results, you must be careful to avoid supplies containing certain substances. Some of these should be avoided outright while others shouldn’t be overused.
Contents such as Ammonia, Disinfectants & Antibacterials, Ethylene Glycol, Monobutyl, and Butyl Glycol should be avoided.
Others include Phosphates, Chlorine Bleach, Phthalates, and Petroleum Solvents.
Let’s briefly explain why you should avoid boat cleaners containing any of these.
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Ammonia
Ammonia can be deadly when mixed with other chemicals. When inhaled, swallowed, or touched, it can be toxic.
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Disinfectants and Antibacterials
Although these are used in some cleaning products, excessive use can contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
These products include a long list of ingredients from Triclosan to Bleach.
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Ethylene Glycol, Monobutyl, and Butyl Glycol
These ingredients are hazardous to health, yet are still included in lots of boat cleaners. They are dangerous to the kidney, liver, and nervous system.
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Phosphates
Phosphates are found in certain cleaners and are dangerous to aquatic life. Therefore, the best thing to do is avoid them to ensure you don’t poison aquatic life.
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Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach is another toxic substance that is corrosive and irritating to the lungs and eyes.
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Phthalates
Aquatic life is endangered by cleaning products containing this ingredient. When washing a boat, this eventually finds its way into the water.
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Petroleum Solvents
Like most other harmful substances, petroleum solvents aren’t good for aquatic life. You’ll need to avoid using them to prevent them from entering the water body.
List Of Essential Boat Cleaning Supplies
In this section, we’ll be listing the best cleaning supplies needed for boat cleaning.
These include equipment or tools as well as cleaning products. Essential supplies include boat vinyl cleaners, boat wax, boat wash, aluminum boat cleaners, buffers & pads as well as brushes & handles.
Other supplies include hull & deck cleaners, marine metal polish, teak oil, mold & mildew cleaners, canvas, carpet, and plastic care.
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Aluminum Boat Cleaners
Boats having aluminum bodies require cleaning using specially formulated supplies to provide perfect results.
These cleaners remove both waterline stains and scum from aluminum bodies. Some of the best aluminum boat cleaning products include Toon- Brite Protective Clear Coat for Boats and Starbrite Ultimate Aluminum Boat Cleaner.
Others include Toon-Brite Pontoon & Aluminum Boat Cleaner, Starbrite Ultimate Aluminum Polish with PTEF, and Shurhold Serious Shine Quick Detailer.
More products include 303 Marine Citrus Cleaner & Degreaser, Toon-Brite Aluminum Cleaner, and Clear Coat Kit.
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Boat Wax
After returning for a ride, it’s best to carry out simple maintenance tasks such as keeping your boat’s finish clean polished. Boat wax products are numerous.
Some of these include Shurhold Pro Polish Wax, Babe’s Boat Bright Spray, and Starbrite Premium Marine Polish with PTEF.
Others include Meguiar’s Flagship Premium Marine Wax, Starbrite Fiberglass Color Restorer with PTEF, 3M Marine Restorer & Wax, and 3M Marine Fiberglass Cleaner & Wax among several others.
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Buffer and Pads
Boat polishing tools include buffer and pads. There are lots of products available to choose from.
A few of them include Shurhold Pro Polish Pad for Rotary Polisher, Starbrite Liquid Rubbing Compound Medium Oxidation, Shurhold Super Cut Pad 7.5”, and Meguiar’s Power Cut Compound.
Additional products include Starbrite Paste Rubbing Compound, Meguiar’s Fiberglass Color Restorer, Babe’s Supreme Chamois, Shurhold Magic Wool Buff Pad, Shurhold Magic Wool Hand Pads, and Flitz Buff and Polish Ball.
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Brushes and Handles
There are varieties of brushes and handles for boat cleaning. This makes the process much easier and efficient.
Popular products include Shurhold DAP Scrub Brush, Shurhold Telescoping Handles, Shurhold 10” Deck Brush, and Shurhold 6” Deck Brush.
Others are Shurhold Snap Stick Snap & Zipper Lubricant, Shurhold Boat Hook Head Attachment, Deluxe Water Sprite Mop, Swobbit Extra Soft 7.5” Brush, Swobbit Sheepskin Soft Washing Tool with Uni-Snap, and Shurboat New Boater Kit.
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Hull and Deck Cleaners
The hull and deck area of boats will need some good cleaning using the best supplies available.
Some of these supplies include Starbrite Instant Hull Cleaner, Starbrite Spider & Bird Stain Remover, Boat Bling Hot Sauce Hard Water Spot Remover, and Shurhold Serious Shine Quick Detailer.
Other products are Starbrite Spider Away, Starbrite Heavy Duty Bilge Cleaner, Starbrite Instant black Streak Remover, Starbrite Non-Skid Deck Wax, and Starbrite Boat Bottom Cleaner, etc.
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Mold and Mildew Cleaners
Unsightly mildew stains are removed by using the right supplies.
Some of the best supplies include Shurhold Moldaway, Babes Mildew Master, Starbrite No Damp Ultra Dome Dehumidifier, Mildew Stain Blocker, and Starbrite No Damp Dehumidifier Refill.
Others are Starbrite No Damp Hanging Moisture Absorber & Dehumidifier, Starbrite No Damp Dehumidifier Bucket, Mold, and Mildew Odor Control NosGuard, and several more.
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Marine Metal Polish
You want to keep the metal components of your boat shiny and always looking new.
Products that will help with that include Starbrite Premium Marine Polish with PTEF, Flitz Metal Polish, Starbrite Tower Guard Marine Metal Cleaner & Protector, as well as Flitz Stainless Steel and Chrome Cleaner.
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Teak Oil
Wear and tear from sun and water results in worn wood decks. There are marine teak oil-based products that help with the restoration of worn-out wood surfaces.
They include Starbrite Premium Golden Teak Oil, Starbrite Classic Teak Tropical Teak Sealer and TE-KA Teak Wood Cleaner, etc.
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Plastic Care
Plastic parts of boats as well as vinyl, plexiglass, gel coat, and carbon fiber are protected from the Sun’s UV rays. 303 Aerospace UV Protectant is the product to use for this.
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Boat Wash
Boat wash products help you give your boat(s) a high-quality wash. These include Babe’s Clever Cleaner, 3M Marine clean & Shine Enhancer, 3M Marine Rubbing Compound, and 3M Marine Multipurpose Boat Soap, etc.
These are some of the best boat cleaning supplies you can use to properly maintain your boat. Supplies can be purchased at local stores or online stores.
Here are the total cost charged by most boat bottom cleaning services.