Keeping your boat clean and functioning well is essential for its performance and for your enjoyment. Having somewhere clean and pleasant to sit only enhances your boating experiences.
Boats have been a huge part of life since at least 3,000 BC and we continue to use them frequently over 5,000 years later. Whether it be for travel, sports, fishing, recreation, transportation, military use or rescue operations they are still being used every day by large numbers of people.
If you have found us here, you must be the lucky owner of one of these vessels. Whether it is for work or play, maintenance is particularly important. From oil checks, making sure the propeller is functional, that the engine runs, there is no damage to the deck or hull and the upholstery is kept clean.
While the upholstery is more often seen as a cosmetic side to boat maintenance, the proper care and cleaning can ensure mould and mildew do not occur which can affect other parts of the boat. Another important reason to maintain a thorough cleaning regime is to ensure your upholstery will last. The special materials designed to withstand
Know your boat
Obviously, a cleaning regime will not be one size fits all due to the multitude of uses and variety of storage options your boats will have.
Along with the different types of upholstery, any cleaning regime may not work on another. Types of upholstery can include:
- Marine vinyl
- Faux Leather
- Acrylic
- Mesh
- PVC Polyester blend
The most common of these materials is Marine vinyl and will be the regime we will focus on today. This regime is aimed a little more towards smaller boats that are kept out of the water. Not all vinyl is the same. Make sure you know the type you are dealing with and have looked over your care instructions. Be careful you are not putting anything on the material that may do it more damage in the long run. These tips can also be used on larger moored vessels that are likely to require a more in-depth regime with added steps, but this will help get you started.If you have found us here, you must be the lucky owner of one of these vessels. Whether it is for work or play, maintenance is particularly important. From oil checks, making sure the propeller is functional, that the engine runs, there is no damage to the deck or hull and the upholstery is kept clean.
Upholstery cleaning basics
The best times to clean your upholstery are after a day on the water, before and after storage if you put your boat away for the winter and a deep clean at least twice a year.
Tools you will need to keep your upholstery clean:
- Soft brush(es)
- Toothbrushes
- Clean cloths
- Appropriate cleaning product for your upholstery type
- Vacuum
- Wire brushes
- Scourers
- Household cleaners
- Bleach
Cleaning when storing your boat
If you store your boat away for the winter then it is best to give it a thorough clean before and after storage. Even if you are simply going to store your boat in a shed covered with dust sheets it’s worth taking the time to ensure it is clean and dry beforehand.
- With a soft brush wipe away and debris that may have fallen in the boat.
- Vacuum the seats and in any crevices.
- Spot clean any marks that may have appeared
- Use a toothbrush to get i any grooves and around the edges.
- Cover with a suitable cloth and store your boat.
Deep cleaning your boat
- Follow steps 1 to 5 in the above storage clean section
- Use some warm water and a few drops of cleaning product suitable for your material, and wipe over every part of your boat’s upholstery.
- Once it is completely dry and there is no damage, mould or mildew present, move onto applying a protective coating such as a marine vinyl treatment.
- If possible, and once clean, try to keep your boat covered as much as possible to protect against the elements.
Summary
In summary the key to keeping your boat’s upholstery in great condition is prevention – by means of extending its life with some regular care and attention. Not following a regular cleaning regime will leave you with sun and water damage, stains, mould and mildew. All of which are much harder to deal with once they have set in. You will be able to enjoy your boat longer term without having to hand over money for repairs and replacement if you can make cleaning part of your regular boating routine. Remember to set yourself calendar reminder to ensure you carry out your twice yearly deep clean – it’s amazing how the time gets away with you. This way you can have a great time out on the water and enjoy the thrill of boating.
