Bilge cleaners

[angelsson]

Looking on E bay and other sources at bilge cleaners which can effectively emulsify oils to then be safely pumped out, there are many different ones, which like most things boaty are hideously expensive, has any other forumite used one, or employed an alternative effectively.
Thanks in advance for advice.
Mike

 

[pvb]

I've used Jizer, which doesn't smell too bad and is cheap if you buy from motor factors. Still not happy about pumping it out to sea though; I removed most of it with a Pela pump and disposed of it in waste oil tank at marina.

 

[NickRobinson]

Automatic washing machine tablets- crumble into the bilge, leave until next trip to boat, if no oil on surface, pump overboard...

I can't comment on the COSHH specs but good emulsification and no slick overboard.

Nick

 

[Corribee Boy]

I use bio washing powder for small quantities of bilge muck, and I've got pads which only adsorb oil, not water, for larger oily mess-ups.

Pumping anything like that out to sea is a bit of a no-no as it's very polluting, but I'm not sure putting emulsified oil into the waste oil tank would go down too well either - don't they recycle it?

 

[pvb]

I'm not sure putting emulsified oil into the waste oil tank would go down too well either - don't they recycle it?

Yes, the recycling process can cope with water content.

 

[Corribee Boy]

Yes, the recycling process can cope with water content.

Excellent. All I need now is a place with a waste oil tank!

 

[Salty John]

A couple of years ago I was hearing really good reports about this stuff:

http://oiltechnics.co.uk/Antibak/Washrooms/bio_clean.html

 

[Ammonite]

http://oiltechnics.co.uk/Petrol/Forecourt/Forecourt_Bio.html

This stuff is very good. Initial cost not cheap but can be diluted at 20:1 so pretty cost effective overall

 

[Deleted member 36384]

These are threads that I have saved on this subject: -

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?307741-Bilgex-alternative
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?272375-Smelly-bilges-no-more
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?228388-Is-bilge-cleaner-just-washing-up-liquid-plus-BAT
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?268840-Getting-rid-of-deisel-smell

The last link contains links to Toilet Duck distributers (the orange smelling one I think) which people swear kills any diesel smell which may be a residual clean bilge issue.

 

[Bilgediver]

Excellent. All I need now is a place with a waste oil tank!

Your marina should have one along with ones for general garbage and recycling. If no marina then the council recycling centre.

 

[Easticks28]

If you can find a supplier local to you, ViroSol is very effective and inexpensive. http://www.cloverchem.co.uk/uk/products/eng_virosol_uk.htm

 

[robmcg]

Bilgex worked to emulsify the oil in our bilges but wasn't so hot on getting rid of the 'bilgy' smell. It is better - the smell pre treatment could have outlasted religion but still hasn't gone completely.

 

[angelsson]

Many thanks to you all, certainly lots to look at and read about, I do take on board the environmental issues raised and will do my utmost to avoid further pollution.

Best to all

Mike

 

[Corribee Boy]

My comment about finding a waste oil tank was slightly tongue in cheek - we clear up oil spills for a living, though usually in gardens. We do use biological methods for kerosene breakdown in soil, but I'd be very careful about introducing them to the boat: I've never looked into the bacterial species responsible for fuel bug, but the two do a very similar job!

 

[Halo]

Use Tide or similar bio washing powder. Mix it with water then put it in the bilge prior to a trip. Pump it out just before going back into the harbour. It dissolves bilge oil and leaves boat smelling like the airing cupboard. You can leave some in whilst you are away but I prefer to leave bilges as dry as possible. It canot be that harmfull to the environment as every home has a washing machine chucking it into the drains

 

[Stemar]

... the smell pre treatment could have outlasted religion but still hasn't gone completely.

Sound familiar, not to mention outstinking a skunk! Bio Clean, recommended above, got rid of it from my bilges, but not, unfortunately, before it had impregnated the saloon cushions. I can't smell it now, but SWMBO can - her sense of smell for things unpleasant would make a bloodhound hang up his nostrils.

 

[robmcg]

I can't smell it now, but SWMBO can - her sense of smell for things unpleasant would make a bloodhound hang up his nostrils.

Could your SWMBO be related to mine!?

 

[Halo]

Sound familiar, not to mention outstinking a skunk! Bio Clean, recommended above, got rid of it from my bilges, but not, unfortunately, before it had impregnated the saloon cushions. I can't smell it now, but SWMBO can - her sense of smell for things unpleasant would make a bloodhound hang up his nostrils.

Now that is interesting. These days diesel does not seem that smelly to me and I wonder if years of messing about in engines and working in engineering environments with a lot of coolant in the air has ruined my sense of smell. Have any other "old hands" noticed anything similar - or is diesel less smelly these days as it has less sulphur??

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I use Fairy washing up liquid and after a few days the wave action has created an emulsion which I pump it out into a container.

 

[angelsson]

I have now found thanks to all the posts here just what i was looking for, I spoke to the company technical who recommended it above his others for the job I need to do: http://www.thecleaningwarehouse.co.uk/clover-citrus-degreaser-2764-p.asp

It claims to have the emulsifier effect on oils and diesel to enable it to be pumped clean, i must admit to trying various washing powders and liquids with only a partial effect, so hope this will be the solution.

Thanks to all again

Mike