Is bilge cleaner just washing up liquid plus BAT

[stuartwineberg]

Horrified to see that I am about to part with about 12 squid for less than a litre of something to get the oily gunk out of my bilge. My nasty suspicious nature thinks that the stuff is probably something very simple I could make up myself. What do the forum chemists think?

 

[lenseman]

. . . something to get the oily gunk out of my bilge. . . . What do the forum chemists think?

What does the label say on the side of the can or tin?

The first is the largest chemical in the potion, usually water but they call it Aqua just to confuse!

 

[MYStargazer]

Why not just use washing-up liquid...?!

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Use a good quality washing up liquid and for better results just pour in and leave it for a few days for the wave motion to act as a self cleaning.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

...and don't forget the washing powder; seriously!

Use a good quality washing up liquid and for better results just pour in and leave it for a few days for the wave motion to act as a self cleaning.

and a couple of cups of washing powder (clothes). It deals with the dead skin matter, for example.

On a sail training yacht the gas alarm used to go off regularly due to the human detritus that gathered in the bilge. A lot of cash was spent on Bilgex over the season until some wag suggested washing up powder. It worked a treat.

 

[Monique]

I use "clothes washing detergent" because it makes almost no foam and is easier to remove.

Occasionally, I use the double whammy "orange" stuff with a funny Spanish name...

 

[RichardTaylor]

There is a product called Virosol manufactured by Clover Chemicals and available from some janatorial supply companies (or Ebay).

Make up a 10 - 20% solution and try this, it is absolutely amazing stuff, cleans greasy kitchens, bathrooms and brake dust on alloy wheels. I wouldnt mind betting it will do wonders in the bilges. Also has a nice citrus smell.