Gerry
Well-Known Member
As far as I know bilge cleaner is just detergent with a deoderiser sold expensively to boaters. Does anyone have a recipe for a good bilge cleaner using inexpensive ingredients?
Home-made Bilge Cleaner
- Thread starter Gerry
- Start date
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone have a recipe for a good bilge cleaner using inexpensive ingredients?
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't know about 'recipes' but this is what I use: Dishwashing liquid bought 'in bulk' , i.e. in a 5-litre plastic jerry can from a discount store. It's good enough to clean baked-on residue from a roast pan; more than good enough to clean bilges!
I couldn't make it 'cheaper' if I tried /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Does anyone have a recipe for a good bilge cleaner using inexpensive ingredients?
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't know about 'recipes' but this is what I use: Dishwashing liquid bought 'in bulk' , i.e. in a 5-litre plastic jerry can from a discount store. It's good enough to clean baked-on residue from a roast pan; more than good enough to clean bilges!
I couldn't make it 'cheaper' if I tried /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
CaptainAris
New Member
It depends on the kind of bilge 'dirt' doesn't it?
'Oily' is different for example.
If it is just water you could try the dishwashing liquid suggested above. Household bleach will also work in some cases, it will disinfect and deodorize.
Another good product is the toilet cleaning liquid.
I've tried all of them and they all work.
The only specific boater's bilge cleaner I've bought is the degreasing kind when I refitted my motor and wanted to eradicate all oily traces from the engine bilge. Expensive but well worth it!
'Oily' is different for example.
If it is just water you could try the dishwashing liquid suggested above. Household bleach will also work in some cases, it will disinfect and deodorize.
Another good product is the toilet cleaning liquid.
I've tried all of them and they all work.
The only specific boater's bilge cleaner I've bought is the degreasing kind when I refitted my motor and wanted to eradicate all oily traces from the engine bilge. Expensive but well worth it!
A
Anonymous
Guest
I use cheap washing-up liquid and very warm water, which makes a huge difference just as it does in the washing-up bowl!
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
It depends on the kind of bilge 'dirt' doesn't it?
'Oily' is different for example.
[/ QUOTE ]
I am by no means a chemist but one of the thing that I do remember - from back in the late 50's early 60's - is that to 'mix' oil and water you only need to add soap.
The detergent 'breaks up' the oil and forms an emulsion.
Dishwashing liquid, (not to be confused with the mild 'fairy liquid' type), is strong enough to break up any oil. IF there is any residue left, then I would simply scrub with a powder that is used for dishwashers (as in dishwashing machines) using a good pair of gloves. This detergent can even eat away the printed decorations on glassware if the temperature is high enough!
It depends on the kind of bilge 'dirt' doesn't it?
'Oily' is different for example.
[/ QUOTE ]
I am by no means a chemist but one of the thing that I do remember - from back in the late 50's early 60's - is that to 'mix' oil and water you only need to add soap.
The detergent 'breaks up' the oil and forms an emulsion.
Dishwashing liquid, (not to be confused with the mild 'fairy liquid' type), is strong enough to break up any oil. IF there is any residue left, then I would simply scrub with a powder that is used for dishwashers (as in dishwashing machines) using a good pair of gloves. This detergent can even eat away the printed decorations on glassware if the temperature is high enough!
Karel
Well-Known Member
I've used this stuff:
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b90s27p1450
It seems to stink of white spirit. Would that be a cheap solution?
(Good for cleaning woodwork of greasy stuff around the cooker too.)
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b90s27p1450
It seems to stink of white spirit. Would that be a cheap solution?
(Good for cleaning woodwork of greasy stuff around the cooker too.)
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I've used this stuff:
[iWould that be a cheap solution?
[/ QUOTE ]
<span style="color:red">OUR PRICE £3.99
*€5.87 approx </span>
I don't think so! That's more or less what I pay for 5-litres of dishwashing detergent and, cost of living here is not exactly what one would call 'low'. You're paying that for only 500ml!
I realise that prices do vary from one country to another. Have a look around the detergent section of your local supermarket. Here there are outlets that only sell detergents; probably there are similar in your part of the world.
I've used this stuff:
[iWould that be a cheap solution?
[/ QUOTE ]
<span style="color:red">OUR PRICE £3.99
*€5.87 approx </span>
I don't think so! That's more or less what I pay for 5-litres of dishwashing detergent and, cost of living here is not exactly what one would call 'low'. You're paying that for only 500ml!
I realise that prices do vary from one country to another. Have a look around the detergent section of your local supermarket. Here there are outlets that only sell detergents; probably there are similar in your part of the world.
Karel
Well-Known Member
Read my post again - I'm suggesting using white spirit while asking if that's a good idea.
Anyway, how much is your time worth? I'd rather blow ten quid on several cans than spend an extra hour or two scrubbing a greasy engine. But white spirit is cheap isn't it? Though there's the question of adequate ventialtion. You need lots of disposable rags (or old shirts) too.
Anyway, how much is your time worth? I'd rather blow ten quid on several cans than spend an extra hour or two scrubbing a greasy engine. But white spirit is cheap isn't it? Though there's the question of adequate ventialtion. You need lots of disposable rags (or old shirts) too.
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Read my post again - I'm suggesting using white spirit while asking if that's a good idea.
But white spirit is cheap isn't it? Though there's the question of adequate ventialtion. You need lots of disposable rags (or old shirts) too.
[/ QUOTE ]
White spirit would dilute the oil and not break it. It's what is used to thin paints, as you probably know. Which means that it is not equivalent to a detergent.
Even if the price were to be considered 'low' (I forget how much I pay for 2,5 litre; certainly not more than 5 euro), the main problem is with the fumes. It is highly volatile as it is; imagine when the outside air temperature is around 30 Celsius! It is not something that I would willingly breathe; and then there is the fire hazard.
The time that I have left for me to enjoy my boat is far too valuable for me to put at risk breating VOC's in a confined space: that is why I use a detergent.
Read my post again - I'm suggesting using white spirit while asking if that's a good idea.
But white spirit is cheap isn't it? Though there's the question of adequate ventialtion. You need lots of disposable rags (or old shirts) too.
[/ QUOTE ]
White spirit would dilute the oil and not break it. It's what is used to thin paints, as you probably know. Which means that it is not equivalent to a detergent.
Even if the price were to be considered 'low' (I forget how much I pay for 2,5 litre; certainly not more than 5 euro), the main problem is with the fumes. It is highly volatile as it is; imagine when the outside air temperature is around 30 Celsius! It is not something that I would willingly breathe; and then there is the fire hazard.
The time that I have left for me to enjoy my boat is far too valuable for me to put at risk breating VOC's in a confined space: that is why I use a detergent.
Karel
Well-Known Member
Fair enough. But it begs the question that if white spirit is not Gunk's main contituent because it's not the best thing to clean grease with, then what is Gunk made of? And is it cheaper to buy that?
I'm going to be having to do exactly this job myself in a few weeks. I have two engines in very innaccesible places. I think I'll use both approaches depending on how dirty / accessible the particular area is. If I use something petrochemical based I'll have the bilge blower left switched on and the all the windows wide open! I might even get a fan in.
I'm going to be having to do exactly this job myself in a few weeks. I have two engines in very innaccesible places. I think I'll use both approaches depending on how dirty / accessible the particular area is. If I use something petrochemical based I'll have the bilge blower left switched on and the all the windows wide open! I might even get a fan in.
VicS
Well-Known Member
I would use Flash if I was determined to use a domestic product. It is now available with some more pleasant perfumes than the original pine one including "Ocean fresh"
If the bilges are oily then it probably won't do, although it will be better than washing up liquid etc. For oily bilges then Bilgex is the stuff to use. It is an emulsifying sovent which is presumably environmentally acceptable and non toxic (unlike white spirit)
http://www.nauticalworld.co.uk/marinepro...=&shopCmd=1
The purpose made product for non oily bilges is http://www.nauticalworld.co.uk/marinepro...28617432807f86a
If the bilges are oily then it probably won't do, although it will be better than washing up liquid etc. For oily bilges then Bilgex is the stuff to use. It is an emulsifying sovent which is presumably environmentally acceptable and non toxic (unlike white spirit)
http://www.nauticalworld.co.uk/marinepro...=&shopCmd=1
The purpose made product for non oily bilges is http://www.nauticalworld.co.uk/marinepro...28617432807f86a
Gerry
Well-Known Member
Like the idea of Oceanfresh! seems that mixing detergent with a nice smelling household cleaner is the way to go! Thanks
David_Jersey
Well-Known Member
Wot about Washing Poweder (Persil etc?) - been using it for years to do the trick when cleaning oil (and other stubborn dried on stains etc /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif) off my hands.
But I confess to not yet having filled my bilges up with it.
But I confess to not yet having filled my bilges up with it.
bumblefish
Well-Known Member
Can I use Ecover?
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Can I use Ecover?
[/ QUOTE ]
What's Ecover?
Can I use Ecover?
[/ QUOTE ]
What's Ecover?
Evadne
Well-Known Member
Ecover is fairy liquid for tree-huggers. Ok, we use it as well to clean the dishes, its meant to be more bio-degradable than most other detergents and it works just as well. It certainly makes the same quantity of bubbles.
andy_wilson
Well-Known Member
"This detergent can even eat away the printed decorations on glassware if the temperature is high enough! "
I always thought it was the abrasive agent propelled by water that eroded the patterns in a dishwasher.
I always thought it was the abrasive agent propelled by water that eroded the patterns in a dishwasher.
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
meant to be more bio-degradable than most other detergents and it works just as well. It certainly makes the same quantity of bubbles.
[/ QUOTE ]
In that case, if it works and the cost is agreeable, why not?
I think that there is some confusion here. I was <u>not</u> writing about the "Fairy Liquid" type of washing up aid. What I use is a rather thick (very runny jelly) concentrated detergent as sold in places that 'specialise' in cleansing stuff. I would say that the normal, household, liquids are merely diluted versions of the same stuff, and that have a pleasant scent added. It is not unknown for housewives to argue that the liquid with their scent works better than the other liquid that smells different. (I'm being factual, not sexist in any way).
meant to be more bio-degradable than most other detergents and it works just as well. It certainly makes the same quantity of bubbles.
[/ QUOTE ]
In that case, if it works and the cost is agreeable, why not?
I think that there is some confusion here. I was <u>not</u> writing about the "Fairy Liquid" type of washing up aid. What I use is a rather thick (very runny jelly) concentrated detergent as sold in places that 'specialise' in cleansing stuff. I would say that the normal, household, liquids are merely diluted versions of the same stuff, and that have a pleasant scent added. It is not unknown for housewives to argue that the liquid with their scent works better than the other liquid that smells different. (I'm being factual, not sexist in any way).
Karel
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
It is not unknown for housewives to argue that the liquid with their scent works better than the other liquid that smells different.
[/ QUOTE ]Wow. Is there really nothing else to do in Malta?
It is not unknown for housewives to argue that the liquid with their scent works better than the other liquid that smells different.
[/ QUOTE ]Wow. Is there really nothing else to do in Malta?
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Wow. Is there really nothing else to do in Malta?
[/ QUOTE ]
Could always watch the tourists and try to guess from which part of brittania they originate. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Trouble is (1) it's sometimes difficult to anderstand what they are saying, and (2) their numbers are (mercifully) dwindling, largely because the place has become too expensive for them.
Fortunately, this decrease in inflow is more than made up by european students (and also some japanese) who come here to learn proper english. The poor sods are utterly baffled by terms like 'Woqq?' 'Inniq?' and 'orajq mejq?' /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Wow. Is there really nothing else to do in Malta?
[/ QUOTE ]
Could always watch the tourists and try to guess from which part of brittania they originate. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Trouble is (1) it's sometimes difficult to anderstand what they are saying, and (2) their numbers are (mercifully) dwindling, largely because the place has become too expensive for them.
Fortunately, this decrease in inflow is more than made up by european students (and also some japanese) who come here to learn proper english. The poor sods are utterly baffled by terms like 'Woqq?' 'Inniq?' and 'orajq mejq?' /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif