Washing old lines / ropes/ running rigging: cheapo or thrifty!

[JamesToBoot]

Mold and mildew are pretty common where I live. The key is prevention but that's easier said than done. Humidity is a fact of life here and and I've not found anything that is practical for the boat to keep it down year-round. Chemicals (calcium chloride) quickly get overwhelmed and anything that uses electricity is not feasible away from shore power. The only thing that works is to keep the surfaces wiped down with disinfectant (bleach) wipes so that the spores don't get a chance to grow.

For small areas like the interior of the cabin I've found that any cleaning product with "bleach" does a good job of removing it and slowing down the growth. If you have a large area to treat you can mix household bleach and water 30:1 to make an effective cleaner.

I don't use vinegar (acetic acid) for cleaning anything other than calcium deposits but it will be effective on mold as well. The smell and the fact that it can get expensive if you have a large area to treat are the main reason I usually go with sodium hypochlorite.

Thanks @Be Free

I also live in a soggy mess. Mold and mildew will grow on you if you don't move faster than a turtle!

I don't have an issue w interiors as I keep dehumidifiers in the boat.

This'd be why I love bleach for the outside. Even under a dry RV shed (gravel gets dusty its so dry), things get nasty quick and power washing is insufficient. I used bleach straight this year. I forgot to dilute. Works quick though!

Whos tried borax? It appears safe on everything boat related and is a mold/mildew inhibitor. Does it work on removing the stains in gelcoat line bleach does?

Here's something I dug up using gpt I might try next year instead of bleach:
1/2 cup oxygen bleach powder
1/4 cup Borax
1 gallon warm water (100–120°F)
2 tablespoons Dawn (blue original)
Seems to be much more mild than bleach and safe for everything. Will probably up the of concentration of everything x2 if that doesn't work fast enough...

I've tried everything on the cockpit cussions except bleach... Getting disheartened that anything really works beside bleach...

[JamesToBoot]

^^^ edit

[Be Free]

...

Here's something I dug up using gpt I might try next year instead of bleach:
1/2 cup oxygen bleach powder
1/4 cup Borax
1 gallon warm water (100–120°F)
2 tablespoons Dawn (blue original)
Seems to be much more mild than bleach and safe for everything. Will probably up the of concentration of everything x2 if that doesn't work fast enough...

I've tried everything on the cockpit cussions except bleach... Getting disheartened that anything really works beside bleach...

oxygen bleach powder = sodium percarbonate (oxidizer)
Borax is a detergent booster. It helps the Dawn work better. In it's powdered form it's also a pretty good defense against roaches and ants.
Dawn = detergent

That sounds like a relatively mild stain-lifting cleaning solution. You can use that on anything on the boat.

Do not use bleach on your cockpit cushions. The chlorine will make the covers hard and brittle. What type of stains are you having trouble with?

Straight bleach on the hull is effective but harsh. Dilute it and then let it stay on the stained areas you will get the same results with less cost and less chance of damage to other parts of the boat. I've had good results just letting it dry on the boat. Sometimes it may take a couple of applications but the hull looks like new end the end. I don't rinse until the final application has done it's job. Plan on waxing after you get the stains out.

[JamesToBoot]

oxygen bleach powder = sodium percarbonate (oxidizer)
Borax is a detergent booster. It helps the Dawn work better. In it's powdered form it's also a pretty good defense against roaches and ants.
Dawn = detergent

That sounds like a relatively mild stain-lifting cleaning solution. You can use that on anything on the boat.

Do not use bleach on your cockpit cushions. The chlorine will make the covers hard and brittle. What type of stains are you having trouble with?

Straight bleach on the hull is effective but harsh. Dilute it and then let it stay on the stained areas you will get the same results with less cost and less chance of damage to other parts of the boat. I've had good results just letting it dry on the boat. Sometimes it may take a couple of applications but the hull looks like new end the end. I don't rinse until the final application has done it's job. Plan on waxing after you get the stains out.

Thanks for the info on the cockpit cushions. The stains are dark splotches, looks like mildew stains, scattered about organically shapped.

Even though oxygen bleach is an oxidizer, it seems to be very mild. I've read people recommending them for cleaning sails and ropes.

Borax is also a desiccant, drying out things. It is used for mold / mildew in things like new stick built homes to prevent wood eating fungus, why its works well to kill insects and pests, and it works good in laundry to get rid of smells. I don't know how well it will work on stains, but it doesn't seem to be damaging to anything...

[Be Free]

If the cushion stains are organic then the oxygen bleach should remove them. Are you sure they are organic and not ink or oil?

As a last resort, you can try magic eraser. I don't like to use it on vinyl until all other options are tried. It is an abrasive and it will leave very small scratches in the plastic. You may not see them but rough surfaces collect "dirt" faster than smooth ones so you may be trading one problem for another down the road.

[JamesToBoot]

If the cushion stains are organic then the oxygen bleach should remove them. Are you sure they are organic and not ink or oil?

As a last resort, you can try magic eraser. I don't like to use it on vinyl until all other options are tried. It is an abrasive and it will leave very small scratches in the plastic. You may not see them but rough surfaces collect "dirt" faster than smooth ones so you may be trading one problem for another down the road.

I shall try oxyclean again. I don't much care for the magic eraser on something like this.... too much time and effort, may be trouble getting into the texture of the vinyl, and it doesn't leave a good finish.

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

For ropes we’ve used Woolite and Lysol Laundry Sanitizer in the washing machine set on regular agitation with max water level and temp on warm wash/cold rinse. Strung out to hang dry. If stained we use 1/2 cup Tide II All Fabric bleach.

For deck and hull we use an initial Dawn wash of 10-to-20% diluted and for the real work a diluted bleach solution of 10-to-20%
> Process:
Light power wash with fresh water to remove loose dirt
Spray surface with Dawn soap solution
Light power wash to throughly rinse off
Broom/brush in diluted bleach solution liberally
Leave sit for 15 to 30 minutes
Light power wash to throughly rinse off

For HARD interior FIBERGLASS surfaces (with LOTS of forced air ventilation) including all storage and bilge areas we wipe down every surface we can get to with a 10-to-20% diluted bleach solution that we allow to air dry. NEVER ON ANY WOOD OR FABRIC SURFACES. After it has all dried we spray all hard surfaces (including all storage and bilge areas with Lysol aerosol.

For fabric surfaces Woolite and 1/2 cup Lysol Laundry Sanitizer on gentle agitation at max water level set on cold water wash and rinse. Hang dry. Then in a well force ventilated area throughly spray the fabric with Lysol aerosol spray and allow to air dry before reinstalling to boat interior.

This works great on eliminating any mold/mildew formation all season long.
We also run our A/C dehumidifier when in slip and during the off season when stored in our driveway.
Since we started this routine we have had virtually zero issues with any mold/mildew on anything here in Coastal South Carolina (nor up in New Hampshire).

As we primarily motor cruise extensively we can’t recommend anything regarding sails other than to suggest calling Blue Water Yatchs or Sail-Rite to ask them for their recommendations. They have consistently provided good sage expertise advise over the years on a variety of subjects.

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[JamesToBoot]

Hi All!

For ropes we’ve used Woolite and Lysol Laundry Sanitizer in the washing machine set on regular agitation with max water level and temp on warm wash/cold rinse. Strung out to hang dry. If stained we use 1/2 cup Tide II All Fabric bleach.

For deck and hull we use an initial Dawn wash of 10-to-20% diluted and for the real work a diluted bleach solution of 10-to-20%
> Process:
Light power wash with fresh water to remove loose dirt
Spray surface with Dawn soap solution
Light power wash to throughly rinse off
Broom/brush in diluted bleach solution liberally
Leave sit for 15 to 30 minutes
Light power wash to throughly rinse off

For HARD interior FIBERGLASS surfaces (with LOTS of forced air ventilation) including all storage and bilge areas we wipe down every surface we can get to with a 10-to-20% diluted bleach solution that we allow to air dry. NEVER ON ANY WOOD OR FABRIC SURFACES. After it has all dried we spray all hard surfaces (including all storage and bilge areas with Lysol aerosol.

For fabric surfaces Woolite and 1/2 cup Lysol Laundry Sanitizer on gentle agitation at max water level set on cold water wash and rinse. Hang dry. Then in a well force ventilated area throughly spray the fabric with Lysol aerosol spray and allow to air dry before reinstalling to boat interior.

This works great on eliminating any mold/mildew formation all season long.
We also run our A/C dehumidifier when in slip and during the off season when stored in our driveway.
Since we started this routine we have had virtually zero issues with any mold/mildew on anything here in Coastal South Carolina (nor up in New Hampshire).

As we primarily motor cruise extensively we can’t recommend anything regarding sails other than to suggest calling Blue Water Yatchs or Sail-Rite to ask them for their recommendations. They have consistently provided good sage expertise advise over the years on a variety of subjects.

Best Regards,
Over Easy

Woolite and Lysol laundry sanitizer, that is a new one on me.

Can you explain how you make your solution of diluted bleach? Is that 1 or 2 parts bleach to 9 or 8 parts water? Is that what you mean by 10 to 20% ?

Air flow and a dehumidifier really is key. Does better that any amount of cleaning!

[OverEasy]

Hi JamesToBoot!

The bleach solution is a simple proportionality
10% = 1 part Clorox + 9 parts tap water
20% = 1 part Clorox + 4 parts tap water

Woolite is a gentle detergent that does a nice job of cleaning things up and also helps keep the fabric of the lines supple for easy use.
The Lysol Laundry Sanitizer takes out the stinky bacterial crud that gets into dock lines and seems to do a good job of dissuading it from coming back without the risk of chlorine compounds degrading the molecular structure of synthetic fibers.

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[JamesToBoot]

OK, I don't feel so bad now. I'm not the only one who bleaches the mess out of their boat.

That's for posting the solutions you use. If the oxy / borax / dawn doesn't work next year, I will try the 1:9 bleach solution you use.

I can remember now why I couldn't remember what ration I used for bleach, and why I started this post very curious to what others used... I used to put bleach in the power washer's chemical tank. It doesn't say no does it have an adjustment for the radio of chemical to water... it just goes.

This year I started using a battery powered chemical sprayer and didn't think to dilute the bleach on the new-to-me project boat. I never leave bleach on anything, so I sprayed it off pretty quickly. It likely sat for less than 5 minutes.

Thanks for that @Over Easy

[JamesToBoot]

Nasty bimini cover.
Idk if this is sunbrella or something cheaper. The loose strands are very flammable and burn bright.
I'm fine with gray and faded ropes... but this is aweful.

HE wash machine with our usual detergents: Ecos, borax, vinegar, and extra rinse.

Hand washing now w vinegar and dawn.

[JamesToBoot]

Waiting for the Bimini cover to dry. Also waiting on some nuts, bolts, and hdpe, to come in.

So I thought I'd wash the main sheet again to see if I can't make it a little more white with some generic oxygen bleach and hot water... I tell you something, it stings a bit if you have any opened skin on your hands.

I used one cup in two gallons of barably hot water.

[JamesToBoot]

I couldn't believe how much muddy looking water came out the main sheet. I've already bucket n plundered it with dawn. I thought I had all the dirt out and I didn't know oxygen bleach pulled out dirt. I thought it just bleached...

I'm oxy bleaching it again.

[Be Free]

The product you are using is a water softener with an oxidizer. You are getting more dirt out because the soft water is allowing the "dirt" to go into solution easier. If you add a very small amount of detergent (like Dawn) you should get even better results. FYI, the oxidizer in it is hydrogen peroxide. I can't find a complete ingredient list for the powdered version but I think there may be a bit of borax in there as well.

I'm not sure why your hands were stinging though. None of the active ingredients should do that. The liquid versions have a small amount of salt in them. Maybe the powdered product does as well. That would sting a little.

[JamesToBoot]

That is interesting about the water softening bit.

Not something I knew... a water soften allowing the dirt to go into the solution easier. That is pretty cool.

I did end up giving up after two uses. Whats the point of diminishing returns or the james point of diminishing caring?... Twice!

I did the oxy bleach twice, for 10 or more minutes each time, agitating every couple of minutes vigerously with my hands or tongs. It took way too many rinses to get the water clear of ick and free of the slimy chemical feeling left behind. I probably rinsed 15 to 20 times after each oxy bleaching. The ropes are dirty.... but they are clean enough.