Most times, cleaning your sailboat is nothing more than a common but necessary chore. But some cleaning jobs require special cleaners and more-than-usual elbow grease and time. Working with strong chemicals requires taking a few common-sense safety precautions. First and foremost, READ and follow the directions on the container.
Always wear gloves when using harsh chemicals. We suggest wearing the heavy-duty rubber gloves designed for use with caustic chemicals and acids. (Testers first tried using latex surgical gloves and then switched to household gloves. The cleaners left pinholes in these, allowing acid to seep through and leaving testers without fingerprints.)
Other precautions should include wearing eye goggles and a face mask. Work outdoors and keep children and pets at a safe distance. Protect what’s under the boat: the ground, driveway, trailer, etc.
When using a sprayer or rinsing with a hose, be careful of wind and back-splash. And when cleaning up, remember that there is residual acid on brushes and buckets. Be sure to dispose of any leftover acid solutions in an environmentally conscious manner.
Don’t make your own concoction by mixing ingredients, and don’t add stuff like bleach or ammonia, as deadly toxic gases may result.
For more on the right cleaner for the specific job on your boat, purchase and download Practical Sailor’s ebook, Essential Marine Cleaners today.
To read even more about the cleaning and maintenance of all your boating surfaces, buy the entire three-part series for the price of two! Available for purchase and download is Practical Sailor’s ebook series, Marine Cleaners. This three volume set contains the ebooks Gelcoat Restoration & Maintenance, Essential Marine Cleaners, and Specialty Marine Cleaners.
