Deck cleaning products?

[Boomshanka]

I need to give Capucine her first scrub down... I was going to use diluted Fiary Liquid, then I saw 'cleaning products' by StarBrite in the chandlers for pretty much every conceivable bit of a boat (the lockers would be full if I brought them all), some were with wax, some without... my favourite was a 'non-skid deck cleaner with Teflon'... how can that be? Then a guy told me to forget all that and just put a little bit of washing powder (same as for clothes) in a bucket of water and use that. I'd be interested to hear if there is a consensus of opinion here. I was worried that the washing powder might do something to anything aluminium, is it worth buying cleaning products from the chandlers, if so which is best for a deck scrub so that it's clean and not left like an ice rink... or should I stick with good old washing up liquid?

 

[Richard10002]

We've found Flash and Cif do as good a job as any of the expensive marine products, and I've got a locker full of supersonic marine cleaners.

The only thing I have been incredibly impressed with is Oxalic Acid, (Y10, GelKleen), which seems to be excellent at removing stains that other cleaners cant touch.

 

[[2574]]

that starbrite deck cleaner is excellent; in my view its worth the inevitable marine product premium.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I use Ecover washing uo liquid - a good squirt per bucket - coz they sponsor sailing and the gunk is biodegradeable.

 

[[2574]]

just bought some ecover (for the same reasons as you) but haven't tried it yet. Is it ok compared to the ubiquitous Fairy?

 

[john_morris_uk]

We have tried a few - but for dirty decks and decktread I don't think you can beat household washing powder. DAZ OMO - whatever comes to hand. If you are worried about Green issues, I am told a non-bio type is kinder on the environment.

The other half of the equation is water and a good scubbing brush...

If the decks are teak I am completely sold on the Semco system - with thanks to Robih for introducing us to it!

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
If the decks are teak I am completely sold on the Semco system - with thanks to Robih for introducing us to it!

[/ QUOTE ]

Didnt catch that - what is it?

 

[john_morris_uk]

web page Its an American two chemical system for cleaning followed by a a sealant. Our teak still looks like new a year later.

 

[Gwylan]

Do not forget some stuff called Astonish - like thick Cif, great. Gets all the stuff that the other stuff cannot get off, off. If you see what I mean

 

[Piers]

CIF is an abrasive and will cause horrid future problems with dirt becoming trapped in the millions of score marks left on the GRP, demanding more and more maintenance. Have you looked at the GRP under a powerful lens to see the damage after you've used CIF?