Sometimes it seems that keeping a boat clean is like painting a bridge; no sooner than you finish at one end, it's time to go back and start again at the other end. Between pollution in the water, salt spray, fishing activities, compact galleys, claustrophobic heads and sloppy guests, there's always something that needs to be cleaned. It may never be a fun activity, but here are 20 hints that will make the job easier, your boat smell cleaner and the results last longer.


GENERAL CARE

1.Remove stains with non-abrasive products. Use a product like Soft Scrub to remove stains and caked-on grime. However, keep in mind that some products still contain a fine abrasive and/or bleach, both of which aren't appropriate for waxed or polished surfaces. Be sure to check the contents before proceeding to clean.

2. Keep a rubber squeegee on board. The squeegee can be used to help with a wide variety of chores. In addition to window cleaning, it can also be used to help clean up spills and strip beaded-up water from a variety of surfaces that accumulate after washing or a sudden rain shower.

3. Try non-stick cookware sponges to clean tough spots. A sponge-backed scouring pad can easily remove really tough dirt, but make sure to buy ones that are specifically designed for cleaning non-stick cookware. When used carefully, the sponges won't scratch surfaces like gel coats or laminates. They may be inappropriate for painted surfaces, though.

4. Wipe glass first with detergent and clean water. You'll get brilliant results when cleaning glass that's encrusted with salt if you first wash it with a detergent and clean water.  Squeegee it off, then go over it with a glass cleaner like Windex. The detergent does a great job removing the salt, and the glass cleaner will take care of any streaky residue.


IN THE CABIN

5. Add bleach to a mild detergent to clean food surfaces. Cabins tend to get smelly because of food and drink spills, hurried cleaning and the lack of ventilation when the boat isn't in use, all of which can lead to a buildup of mildew. Use a solution of mild detergent and a few ounces of laundry bleach in warm water to wash tables, countertops, stoves and other surfaces that have come in contact with food. Cleaning this area once a month will make a big difference.

6. Leave the refrigerator and cooler doors ajar when not in use. The combination of food and drink remnants (even as little as an unseen smear) plus lack of ventilation in a closed unit can breed unhealthy mold and mildew quickly. For best results, use the solution described in step 5 to periodically clean your refrigerators and coolers.

7. Kill odors in the bathroom with a bleach and water solution. Sink, shower and cooler drains can harbor bacteria and be sources of odors because they retain some of what's been flushed through them, especially if a corrugated hose has been used as a drainpipe. Plug up the outlet for the drain, and let a 50/50 solution of bleach and water stand in it for an hour or so before flushing it thoroughly. If you have to change the hose, replace it with one that has a smooth interior.

EXTERIOR

8. Use a homemade scrubber to clean hard-to-reach places. You can remove waterline dirt and scum without getting into the water or hauling the boat if you make a homemade scrubber using a sponge-backed scouring pad (see step 3) and a block of wood. Simply staple or tack the sponge to a 3-inch-by-5-inch block of wood, and attach the block to a wooden broom handle with a couple of stainless-steel screws. The scouring pad will work away scum, and the long handle will allow you to do the job easily from the deck.

9. Add a coat of wax after removing exterior stains. Most marine-grade stainless steel can still be discolored by salt water that's left to dry on the surface. Remove ugly brown stains with either polish, a rubbing compound or Soft Scrub, and then protect the metal with a coat of wax. Anodized aluminum can also benefit from wax protection but shouldn't be cleaned with strong abrasives.

10. Save wax and polish by first hosing your boat down. When washing your boat, remember that harsh detergents will remove wax and polish along with the dirt. Remove most of the salt and dirt with fresh water first, and then clean it. The boat will keep its shine longer if you use just enough mild detergent to get the job done and save the strong stuff for soiled spots. Remember to re-wax the spots where you've removed wax or polish.

11. Use a polish to help remove tough stains. Many polishes use a petroleum base, which allows the removal of stubborn fuel or diesel exhaust stains and dirt more easily than scrubbing with a harsh detergent. The polish will also protect the cleaned area when you're through.

12. Pick a polish with Teflon or PTFE. Using a polish containing Teflon will also leave the surface so slick that even duct tape won't stick to it for long. While its protection may not last as long as some hard waxes on horizontal surfaces (which get direct sunlight), it's an excellent choice for use on the hull below the rub rail and results in a surface that can be cleaned with just a quick hose spray.

13. Clean the bottom and topsides at the end of the season. As soon as you haul your boat out of the water, power-wash the scum and marine growth off before it dries and cakes. This will not only save you a lot of time and energy, but it will also give you an opportunity to inspect the hull and plan for any maintenance or repairs that may be needed in the off-season.

THE HEAD

14. Clean the toilet after every cruise. Cramped quarters, rocking boats and distracted guests - especially young ones - can result in a messy head. Use a disinfectant cleaner or bleach solution to wipe down the area. By cleaning the toilet regularly, you'll eliminate a prime source of germs and odor buildup.

15. Disinfect the shower occasionally. The shower sump in most boats is "out of sight, out of mind" someplace below the sole. However, condensation and water from cleaning can collect there and provide a place for mildew and mold to generate unpleasant odors. Therefore, the shower needs an occasional cleaning, even if you don't use it on a regular basis.

16. Install an inexpensive plastic vent panel to the head door. This will help to provide cross-ventilation and keep odors down. Installing a solar-powered vent fan is an even better solution but costs considerably more.

17. Leave disinfectant in the bowl. Pouring a cup of fresh water and a capful of a disinfectant cleaner like Lysol into the toilet bowl when you're not using the boat for an extended period of time will help keep the system clean, combat the growth of odor-causing bacteria and keep the head area smelling nicer.

ENCLOSURES

18. Clean "canvas" enclosures with fresh water only. Synthetic materials like Sunbrella derive their water resistance from a Teflon-like spray that's applied to the fabric at the factory, but it can be washed out of the material with repeated applications of strong detergents. Instead, hose it down with cold, fresh water. When heavy-duty cleaning is required, water resistance can be restored with the careful application of Scotchgard or any of the similar spray-on, water-proofing products available at marine stores.

19. Apply a light coating of WD-40 to enclosures. Salt and the resulting corrosion that builds up in the enclosure snaps and fasteners can make them difficult to use. Wash and dry the enclosures thoroughly, then use a cotton swab to add a coating of WD-40 to the inside of female snaps and along slides to resist moisture. This will keep them operating freely.

20. Wash clear, plastic windows with mild soap and water. Avoid using a dry cloth; set aside a sponge - perhaps in a different color - that's only used for washing clear plastic. Sponges or cloths that are used for general cleaning can pick up sand and other abrasive materials that can scratch the relatively soft, clear plastic.