Peggie, As many boat owners, I am fighting a winning battle against foul odors in my 1992 Hunter 28 (thanks in part to your advice and your book). The 'normal' use of KO is to pour some it in the head and flush it through to the holding tank. I find that using KO in a spray bottle keeps the waste down and allows me to coat the inside of the head. However, I was reading one of your responses several weeks ago and I thought you mentioned an alternate way of using KO. Do you recommend using KO in a spray bottle for the bilge, seat fabric, and other 'non-traditional' applications? I suppose you could even spray it through limber holes to get the KO into hard to reach places? You opinion and advice is appreciated.
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Cushions, yes...bilge, no.
Although the bacteria in K.O. will "eat" any organically caused odor, it's an expensive product...you'd need too much in a bilge to make it cost effective. A thorough cleaning with detergent and water, using a power washer to reach the inaccessible places, is far more effective and a lot cheaper. If you want to spray your toilet with it, it's ok with me, but it's a waste of money...use Raritan C.P instead--it's a bowl cleaner that's also the best sump and drain cleaner you'll ever find. However, it's also too expensive to use in enough quantity to do any good in a bilge. As for cushions, musty foulies, life jackets etc...spray 'em down with K.O., then put 'em out the sun all day. Make sure you use enough on cushions (take the covers off) to penetrate all the way into the middle of the foam. It'll also get rid of any odor in carpet or furniture from a pet accident...saturate the site...let it dry. Do the same to eliminate odor from a sewage spill. Clean up the spill using only detergent and water--NO bleach!--then, after you've mopped up any excess water, spray liberally with K.O. and leave all hatches etc open for a day.
Although the bacteria in K.O. will "eat" any organically caused odor, it's an expensive product...you'd need too much in a bilge to make it cost effective. A thorough cleaning with detergent and water, using a power washer to reach the inaccessible places, is far more effective and a lot cheaper. If you want to spray your toilet with it, it's ok with me, but it's a waste of money...use Raritan C.P instead--it's a bowl cleaner that's also the best sump and drain cleaner you'll ever find. However, it's also too expensive to use in enough quantity to do any good in a bilge. As for cushions, musty foulies, life jackets etc...spray 'em down with K.O., then put 'em out the sun all day. Make sure you use enough on cushions (take the covers off) to penetrate all the way into the middle of the foam. It'll also get rid of any odor in carpet or furniture from a pet accident...saturate the site...let it dry. Do the same to eliminate odor from a sewage spill. Clean up the spill using only detergent and water--NO bleach!--then, after you've mopped up any excess water, spray liberally with K.O. and leave all hatches etc open for a day.
KO on carpet
Peggie, We are reviving an older boat that had water leaks and mildew problems. We have cleaned a good bit and are convinced some of the oder in in the carpet cabin liner. What is the best way to to clean it and what is KO. I looked at your book on this site and it gives the cost as $0 and would not let me order it. I tried and nothing happened. Jeff
Peggie, We are reviving an older boat that had water leaks and mildew problems. We have cleaned a good bit and are convinced some of the oder in in the carpet cabin liner. What is the best way to to clean it and what is KO. I looked at your book on this site and it gives the cost as $0 and would not let me order it. I tried and nothing happened. Jeff
Raritan K.O. is...
Raritan K.O.--a bio-active holding tank product that also is good for a bunch of other jobs. The online store here carries it...you'll find it, along with the other Raritan sanitation and cleaning products here: http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.tpl?cart=110781872272905&fno=400&group=193 It helps to put a quantity in the box in order form when you want to order something...the system doesn't know how to process an order for none...that's why you couldn't buy my book. (Fwiw, it did the same thing to me that it did to you till I figured that out and went back and put a 1 in the box...Duh?
Oh...about your carpet... unless you can remove it and put it in the sun, I dunno whether K.O. can get rid of the mildew odor in or not. But it's worth a try. If not, you may have a new winter project: replacing it.
Raritan K.O.--a bio-active holding tank product that also is good for a bunch of other jobs. The online store here carries it...you'll find it, along with the other Raritan sanitation and cleaning products here: http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.tpl?cart=110781872272905&fno=400&group=193 It helps to put a quantity in the box in order form when you want to order something...the system doesn't know how to process an order for none...that's why you couldn't buy my book. (Fwiw, it did the same thing to me that it did to you till I figured that out and went back and put a 1 in the box...Duh?
Oh...about your carpet... unless you can remove it and put it in the sun, I dunno whether K.O. can get rid of the mildew odor in or not. But it's worth a try. If not, you may have a new winter project: replacing it.
Cleaning Carpet Interior Liner...
I had an O'day 272LE with carpet lining and I cleaned it with "Spot Shot." Got rid of the odors, along with the mildew and discoloring. Spray liberally, scrub with a small, stiff bristle (fingernail) brush, and rinse with copious amounts of water. Dry with shop-vac. Cheers, Bob
I had an O'day 272LE with carpet lining and I cleaned it with "Spot Shot." Got rid of the odors, along with the mildew and discoloring. Spray liberally, scrub with a small, stiff bristle (fingernail) brush, and rinse with copious amounts of water. Dry with shop-vac. Cheers, Bob
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