A Shipshape Boat

By Lori Ross

Cleaning Tools

The following list of supplies, products, and websites are a handy resource if you’re looking to begin your cleaning routine or if you’re looking for new tools and techniques to complement your existing routine.

Exterior: Bucket Cleaning cloths made of terrycloth, cotton (towels, diapers), or microfiber Drying cloths made of terrycloth or chamois Handheld scrub brush Hose with spray nozzle Long-handled scrub brush Paper towels Power sprayer Sandpaper (for tough corners) Sponges

Interior: Broom and dustpan Cleaning cloths made of terrycloth, cotton (towels, diapers), or microfiber Drying cloths made of terrycloth or cotton Jobar Shutter and Blind Vacuum Attachment (available at Target) Lamb’s wool dusters Paper towels Plastic scrubbing pads (not steel wool) Pledge Grab-It Cloths Safety razor blades Sponges Squeegee Toothbrush (for scrubbing in small spaces) Toothpicks for corners, countertop edges, and stove-top edges Vacuum cleaner and extra bags

CLEANERS

Here are some of the cleaners I use on my Fleming 55. You may want or need to use different cleaners for your boat, based on the surfaces and fabrics you need to clean, but this list should be a good starting point if you’re looking for some cleaning options.

Exterior: 3M Vinyl Cleaner & Restorer 303 Fabric Cleaner and 303 Fabric Guard Barkeepers Friend or Bon Ami Dawn or Joy Distilled white vinegar Flitz Aluminum Cleaner Flitz Liquid Metal Polish Flitz Stainless and Chrome cleaner Davis FSR Fiberglass Stain Remover Interlux Premium Teak Restorer Interlux All-Purpose Boat Soap with Wax Interlux Heavy Duty Stain Remover Interlux Light Duty Rubbing Compound Interlux Premium Teak Oil Knight’s Marine Grez-Off Degreaser Marikate Shipshape On & Off Hull/Bottom Cleaner Meguiar’s no. 18 Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Cleaner/Polish Meguiar’s no. 57 Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner Prism Polish Soft Scrub Starbrite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner Starbrite Vinyl Polish & Cleaner or West Marine Premium Vinyl Protectant The Brite Group’s Bird and Spider Dropping Stain Remover Trac’s Rust Buster Trac’s T-Greaser West Marine Adhesive Remover West Marine Oxalic Acid West Marine Waterproofing with PTEF

Interior: 3M Fabric/Carpet Cleaner 3M Leather & Vinyl Cleaner 409 All Purpose Cleaner 409 Spray carpet cleaner Alcohol, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide Arm & Hammer baking soda Cerama Bryte Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner CLR Countertop Magic (available from Magic America Corp. at 00.321.6330) Deep Cleaner for DuPont Corian (available from The Home Depot or SCI at 800.839.1654) Denatured alcohol Glass Plex Glass Cleaner Glass Plus Joy Lime-A-Way Meguiar’s Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner Meguiar’s no. 18 Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Cleaner/Polish Meguiar’s Gold Class Spray Leather Care Mineral spirits Murphy’s Oil Soap Orange Cleaner Raritan C.P. Bowl & Drain Scott’s Liquid Gold Shout Stain Remover Trac Hand Cleaner Tilex Mildew Remover Whink Glass/Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner Woolite Woolite Oxy Deep Spot & Stain Carpet Cleaner

WEB RESOURCES

www.3m.com
www.303products.com
www.amazon.com
www.corian.com
www.crcindustries.com
www.interlux.com
www.marikate.com
www.meguiars.com
www.mppros.com
www.starbrite.com
www.trac-online.com
www.westmarine.com