Any suggestions on how to clean the bilge?

[hemi2nv]

The resent talk about oil in the ski locker has got me thinking I need to clean my bilge area. How and what would you use to clean the bilge area? I just bought my boat and the PO did not take great care of this area of the boat and it is fairly dirty. I gues I just need to climb in there with a brush and some dawn soap and go to town.

 

[Nehalennia]

Simple green and a bad attitude

 

[Sundancer]

And pulling the motor(s) so you can GET it clean!! A toilet brush, duct tape, a stick, Dawn or whatever you want to use and go for it! A mirror is a nice addition as well to help see where you can't. It's not hard, but it's a knuckle and knee buster and takes a lot of time. Get it wet, soap it up and let it soak before you attack it.

 

[black magic]

I heard something the other day that sounds odd enough that I may just try it. I was told to put a bar of soap in the bilge. When water gets in the bilge it obviously makes a soapy mixture that sloshes around. I'm sure this would be more of a preventative thing to do AFTER you give it a good scrub. My problem and I'm sure a lot of others on here, is that my boat is tight. I bet less than a shot glass worth of water comes out when I pull the plug. Maybe I'll put some water in at the house before heading out and then drain it before launching. ha!

 

[Tonka Boater]

Todd and Sundancer are both correct. I cleaned my bilge this spring with Simple Green....that stuff is amazing. I did as Sundancer said an used an odd assortment of brushes and rags to get all of the hard to reach areas.

 

[kaycee]

I use a multi-purpose cleaner called Spray Nine which also kills some bacteria. Works great on upholstery as well.

 

[Dave S]

Another vote for Simple Green if you need to clean the whole bilge and the engine too..................but...........I only do this with the boat out of the water and transom plug removed. I put Simple Green in a tank sprayer and then spray everything, let it sit for a few minutes, then hose everything off. If anything stubborn is left after that I use my detail (paint) brushes with Simple Green and then flush with water again.

I don't have to do this often because I clean my bilge frequently just by wiping it down and using Spray Nine on anything stubborn when necessary.

Dave

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

There's Mr. Clean Bilge with the first reply......just jealous.

So what about us guys that keep our boats in the water? I usually run out of time to clean it when I haul out for maintnenance as there is always a surprise to deal with. I have used a blige cleaner and water then soaked it up with towels but what a pain and not that effective. Is there an acceptable product to clean and discharge overboard? I'm talking dirty bilge here, not oil spills and battery acid.

 

[JediJD]

I have access to pressure washers and steam generators...with reasonable care and precautions, I am wondering if one or the other might be useful.

 

[Dave S]

Is there an acceptable product to clean and discharge overboard? I'm talking dirty bilge here, not oil spills and battery acid.

I don't know of anything that is totally safe but Simple Green is biodegradable so it is probably one of the better products to consider. This is from the Simple Green Web site.

Biodegradable - Is Simple Green® biodegradable?

Yes. Simple Green is readily decomposed by naturally occurring microorganisms. Simple Green meets the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) requirements for ready biodegradability. ("Ready" biodegradability is the most biodegradable classification that a product can achieve.) Simple Green is readily biodegradable under a strict and rigorous definition.


Biodegradable - What is the definition of biodegradable?

Biodegradable means capable of being decomposed back into elemental components by biological agents, especially bacteria. Biodegradability is associated with the use of an item as a nutrient source by some organism within the environment.

 

[black magic]

If nobody chimes in with a eco-friendly cleaner that you can discharge, how about using one of the other products mentioned above and wet/dry shop-vac the liquid and discard accordingly?

 

[tobnpr]

Another vote for Simple Green.
I don't scrub, rinse and pump overboard; I buy a cheap bag of rags...

There are a number of "Bilge Cleaners" available that are environmentally friendly, including Starbrite's:
http://www.starbrite.com/prodcatalo...ers and Absorbers&ProductSSCat=Bilge Cleaners

However, keep in mind that while the cleaner may be safe for overboard discharge, any oil or petroleum "stuff" in your bilge is not...that's why I use rags and SG.

 

[skolbe]

Simple green and a cheap mop with a short handle and a hose. Seems to work pretty well. Then a shop vac to get residual water out.

 

[Firerooster]

Simple green and a bag of crushed ice.... Ice does most of the scrubbing for you while out and playing

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

Shop vac for the boat, check. Probably the best solution after dilution.

 

[rusobr2]

:thumbsup:good call--firerooster ! i shall not forget this one.

thanks,steven

 

[lambrld]

Good suggestions here so I really don't need to add much other than a comment on putting a bar of soap in the bilge. BAD IDEA!!! The soap will leave a nasty mess/blob as it starts to desolve and melt down. Take a look at the soap dish in your shower when you leave a bar of soap for an extended period. That's what your bilge would look like. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

Shop vac in the dock box.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Be careful with a hose in the engine compartment.
Not many things can get wet and still work down there.

Battery charger,
Alternator,
Wiring,
Portable generator (just kidding),
Ect...
I do better with a spray bottle of cleaner and a rag.