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How to Remove Mold & Mildew From a Boat

How to Remove Mold & Mildew From a Boat
With your boat in and out of the water a lot, mold and mildew are bound to be a problem at some time. If you clean and maintain your boat every time you use it, you'll cut down on mold and mildew. If it has formed, a little elbow grease and some cleaners will fix the situation and get your boat looking spic and span again.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Water Nylon scouring pad Borax Vinegar Salt Bleach Spray bottle
  • Water
  • Nylon scouring pad
  • Borax
  • Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Bleach
  • Spray bottle
Step 1
Remove the mold and mildew by first scrubbing with straight borax. Add a little water to the borax so it will make a paste. Scrub the area until the mildew and mold are removed. Rinse with water.
Step 2
If the borax scrub didn't remove all of the mildew and mold, mix equal parts of vinegar and salt together to make a thick paste.
Step 3
Scrub with the salt/vinegar paste until the mold and mildew are gone. Rinse with water to remove the vinegar and salt.
Step 4
If the above methods don't work, apply full-strength vinegar to the area. Scrub and allow the vinegar to stay on the affected area for approximately 15 minutes before rinsing with water.
Step 5
As a last resort if the other methods haven't seemed to work, mix a 50/50 solution of bleach and water in spray bottle. Apply to the mold and mildew and scrub. Allow to sit for approximately 15 minutes and then rinse with water.
Step 6
After getting rid of mold and mildew, wash your boat with a half-cup of borax mixed in a gallon of water. This will inhibit further growth of mold and mildew.

Tips & Warnings

 
Cleaning products can irritate your skin or harm your eyes. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection when applying. The products used to clean your boat can be toxic to the local water systems. Using a non-detergent soap or one that's phosphate-free to clean you boat will do less harm to the environment.
 
Cleaning products can irritate your skin or harm your eyes. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection when applying.
 
The products used to clean your boat can be toxic to the local water systems.
 
Using a non-detergent soap or one that's phosphate-free to clean you boat will do less harm to the environment.

Article Written By Joyce Starr

Joyce Starr is a professional writer from Florida and owns a landscaping company and garden center. She has published articles about camping in Florida, lawn care and gardening and writes for a local gardening newsletter. She shares her love and knowledge of the outdoors and nature through her writing.

Write for Trails.com

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