After anchoring my boat in shallow water and having it get caught by a low tide it layed on its side and sunk in three feet of water. The water made its way in by the galley sink drain. I am in the middle of redoin the cabin and had the sink removed but did not plug the drain hole that is normally above the water line. My boat sat like this for two weeks. Now, after raising it back up, I have a horrible smell in the cabin and stains too. The carpet was already out before the boat took on the water. So, my question is what is the best way to clean the cabin. I am thinking a pressure washer and bleach and then just bilge out the water that accumulates from the pressure washer cleaning. I hope this is enough information for the answer I need.
- Status
Cleaning up
Man, what a tough lesson and what a tough job. Problem is that you have to look at anything absorbent in the cabin, not just upholstery and carpet, but any plywood that may have soaked up the stench. In fact, if plywood was underwater for any length of time, it expanded a great deal and will delaminated as it dries out, so you are going to have to likely replace it anyway. Having restored a few boats, you're almost confronted with ripping out the interior and reinstalling it. Maybe not all the way, but all the absorbent materials are gonna likely have to go. Then, as you expected, probably powerwash the interior and use bleach and possibly vinegar. Sometimes, vinegar is better at removing odor than bleach...so maybe use both! Then, you're probably looking at having to paint. I don't envy you at all, but I do wish you the best of luck. Regards, Bob
Man, what a tough lesson and what a tough job. Problem is that you have to look at anything absorbent in the cabin, not just upholstery and carpet, but any plywood that may have soaked up the stench. In fact, if plywood was underwater for any length of time, it expanded a great deal and will delaminated as it dries out, so you are going to have to likely replace it anyway. Having restored a few boats, you're almost confronted with ripping out the interior and reinstalling it. Maybe not all the way, but all the absorbent materials are gonna likely have to go. Then, as you expected, probably powerwash the interior and use bleach and possibly vinegar. Sometimes, vinegar is better at removing odor than bleach...so maybe use both! Then, you're probably looking at having to paint. I don't envy you at all, but I do wish you the best of luck. Regards, Bob
Don't use bleach and vinegar at the same time!
Mixing bleach and vinegar will release deadly chlorine gas. If you use them both, do not use them together or at the same time. Make sure the cabin has active ventilation, even if used separately. Consider using a respirator with a chlorine cartridge. See the attached link for more info. http://www.parish-supply.com/chemicals_in_your_closet.htm
Mixing bleach and vinegar will release deadly chlorine gas. If you use them both, do not use them together or at the same time. Make sure the cabin has active ventilation, even if used separately. Consider using a respirator with a chlorine cartridge. See the attached link for more info. http://www.parish-supply.com/chemicals_in_your_closet.htm
The last advice may save your life
Many people think it's just ammonia and bleach that are a bad combination. Unless you're a real chemist, the basic rule of thumb to follow is that you never mix bleach with anything.
Many people think it's just ammonia and bleach that are a bad combination. Unless you're a real chemist, the basic rule of thumb to follow is that you never mix bleach with anything.
Better yet, don't use bleach at all
Bleach is the most over-used, over-rated product used on boats and has but one use of any value: in strong enough concentration, it kills molds, fungi and bacteria. It can safely be used to do that once or twice a year...used more often than that, especially in lower concentrations, does nothing good but does do damage...it's corrosive and has -0- cleaning properties (if it did, it wouldn't be necessary to use detergent with it in the laundry).
Bleach is the most over-used, over-rated product used on boats and has but one use of any value: in strong enough concentration, it kills molds, fungi and bacteria. It can safely be used to do that once or twice a year...used more often than that, especially in lower concentrations, does nothing good but does do damage...it's corrosive and has -0- cleaning properties (if it did, it wouldn't be necessary to use detergent with it in the laundry).
old italian trick
i had water in my boat before i bought it and i was able to get the smell out by having 2 buckets about 3 gallons or so, of white vinegar exposed in a sealed cabin. i left it like that for a few weeks with out any ventilation, after 2 weeks i dumped the vinegar and aired out the cabin and the smell was 80% gone.
i had water in my boat before i bought it and i was able to get the smell out by having 2 buckets about 3 gallons or so, of white vinegar exposed in a sealed cabin. i left it like that for a few weeks with out any ventilation, after 2 weeks i dumped the vinegar and aired out the cabin and the smell was 80% gone.
Bleach wars
I disagree! Bleach is also very effective at irritating sinus membranes. See, it does have additional qualities.
K
I disagree! Bleach is also very effective at irritating sinus membranes. See, it does have additional qualities.
KBleach is good
The best way to get the sweetest boat smell is to use bleach. We use about 15% bleach with water solution and often use it in a squirt bottle for wiping down the interior of the boat (just keep it off the teak and upholstery). A couple of cups of bleach added to a full bilge of fresh water left for a few hours will kill all odors and remove a lot of staining and other crud. As with any chemical (and chlorine is one) you need to be concerned with proper use. In this case it means to use the proper amount, since chlorine gas can cause irritation and too strong a solution can cause damage to many things. Pure bleach is too strong. Since it is a disinfectant, chlorine bleach will kill odor, germs, etc. and you would have, in most cases, the most important type of "clean". I agree that you may wish to use a detergent with the bleach to clean up stains and dirt better. Chris, the bleach believer
The best way to get the sweetest boat smell is to use bleach. We use about 15% bleach with water solution and often use it in a squirt bottle for wiping down the interior of the boat (just keep it off the teak and upholstery). A couple of cups of bleach added to a full bilge of fresh water left for a few hours will kill all odors and remove a lot of staining and other crud. As with any chemical (and chlorine is one) you need to be concerned with proper use. In this case it means to use the proper amount, since chlorine gas can cause irritation and too strong a solution can cause damage to many things. Pure bleach is too strong. Since it is a disinfectant, chlorine bleach will kill odor, germs, etc. and you would have, in most cases, the most important type of "clean". I agree that you may wish to use a detergent with the bleach to clean up stains and dirt better. Chris, the bleach believer
Salt water isn't corrosive enough for you, Chris?
Just remember where to put the blame when things like your bilge pump float switches fail and you can't turn the handle on the seacock you haven't closed since you've owned the boat. If you want to keep using it, fine...it's your boat. But it's a very bad idea.
Just remember where to put the blame when things like your bilge pump float switches fail and you can't turn the handle on the seacock you haven't closed since you've owned the boat. If you want to keep using it, fine...it's your boat. But it's a very bad idea.
Sheesh
Do you EVER quit, Peggy? I should have known you would show up with yet another negative comment. Do your research. Chlorine diluted to that degree in contact with metals/plastics/whatever for the time mentioned would cause virtually no corrosion in itself. At the very most it would cause less corrosion than sea water. Yes, chlorine is inert in salt from sea water, but as you have mentioned a zillion times, sea water has all them little goolies in it. Bleach kills them! I have had 6 boats over 24 years and have had no problems related to what you mentioned and have had the sweetest smelling boats. Do you consider yourself a radio talk show host? I guess they all make a living and keeping things interesting by starting and maintaining arguments. Consider your comment: "can't turn the handle on the seacock you haven't closed since you've owned the boat." Rude and condescending. Chris
Do you EVER quit, Peggy? I should have known you would show up with yet another negative comment. Do your research. Chlorine diluted to that degree in contact with metals/plastics/whatever for the time mentioned would cause virtually no corrosion in itself. At the very most it would cause less corrosion than sea water. Yes, chlorine is inert in salt from sea water, but as you have mentioned a zillion times, sea water has all them little goolies in it. Bleach kills them! I have had 6 boats over 24 years and have had no problems related to what you mentioned and have had the sweetest smelling boats. Do you consider yourself a radio talk show host? I guess they all make a living and keeping things interesting by starting and maintaining arguments. Consider your comment: "can't turn the handle on the seacock you haven't closed since you've owned the boat." Rude and condescending. Chris
Well, I'll try this one more time
Not taking sides on this one! But, I don't believe in pouring bleach anywhere that I can't get it out of in a hurry. I do use a little softscrub in water to make meldew and mold removal easier everywhere on my boat. Who knows what is in that bilge? I do not like to mix cocktails that could possibly kill me. We used to use vinegar to get rid of skunk perfume when I lived in the hills of West Virginia, ergo, I think that vinegar will kill most any smell, what the heck, let it sit and throw in some cukes and make pickles!!!!!!! All the best.....Denny P.
Not taking sides on this one! But, I don't believe in pouring bleach anywhere that I can't get it out of in a hurry. I do use a little softscrub in water to make meldew and mold removal easier everywhere on my boat. Who knows what is in that bilge? I do not like to mix cocktails that could possibly kill me. We used to use vinegar to get rid of skunk perfume when I lived in the hills of West Virginia, ergo, I think that vinegar will kill most any smell, what the heck, let it sit and throw in some cukes and make pickles!!!!!!! All the best.....Denny P.
- Status