A clean boat dock offers you a beautiful platform where you can relax. It also provides you and your family with safety. Algae buildup on the deck, accessories, and boat lift is an unattractive sight, not to mention slippery, increasing the risk of falls.
So, you need to clean your dock. The question is: What cleaner should I use?
Well, commercial cleaners have various chemicals that can harm aquatic life. A safe option is to use DIY solutions. Here’s how to make them:
Water and Mild Dish Soap
After sweeping the dock, if you notice the dock has stains, clean it with a solution of one part mild dish soap and two parts water. Use a towel or non-abrasive cloth to scrub with the solution, and then pressure wash the dock.
Wash With Vinegar
Vinegar helps remove the toughest stains. This is the perfect ingredient to remove grime if you have an aluminum boat dock. Mix equal parts water and vinegar and spray the solution on the dock. Let it sit so the vinegar reacts with the aluminum. Use a towel or non-abrasive cloth to scrub with the solution, and then pressure wash the dock.
Salt and Lemon
For those pesky stains that require good scrubbing, lemon is the best ingredient. Dip a half-cut lemon in baking powder and scrub the stain with it. One of the best things about this DIY trick is that it does not leave any stains on the dock or damage its finish.
Baking Soda
This household ingredient can be used in many ways to clean the dock. You can make a paste with water and apply it to the stains. The paste will trap the pigment from the surface and lift it off when you wipe it.
You can also make a watery solution and spray it all over the dock. Let it sit for five minutes, and then pressure washes the surface.
What to Avoid
When choosing a cleaning product for your boat dock, ensure it does not have any health and environmental risks. Even ordinary cleaners that you use on the window can increase pollution in lakes, causing oxygen depletion and algae blooms. Here’s a list of hazardous ingredients that common cleaning products contain and that you should avoid:
- Ammonia
- Phthalates
- Disinfectants and Anti-Bacterials
- Butyl glycol, Monobutyl, and ethylene glycol
- Petroleum Solvents
- Chlorine Bleach
- Phosphates and Phosphorous
You must learn to be a less toxic consumer as a boating enthusiast. A few tips that can help you become one include:
- Use elbow grease instead of renting heavy cleaning equipment
- Use less toxic alternatives
- Use a marine-grade cleaner
- Dispose of hazardous waste safely and legally
- For surface cleaning, use a vegetable oil-based soap to prevent chemicals from harming aquatic life
Citrus-based products are best for cleaning your boat docks. They contain all-natural ingredients and are environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
EZ Dock Texas offers low-maintenance dock materials, such as aluminum, to help you avoid any maintenance hassle. The company provides different docks, such as PWC ports, drive-on docks, and floating docks. Need to know how much building a dock will cost? Get a free quote from them now! For more information, call (800) 654-8168.
