Just because your boat sits in the water doesn’t mean it’s cleaning itself. The water itself can cause damage to boat hulls that float for too long, and it can contribute to algae buildup, staining, and other blemishes that affect your boat’s appearance, performance, and value. When algae builds up on your boat dock, it can become a slippery hazard for your family as well.
While it’s important to clean algae once you see it, regular cleaning of your boat and dock will help prevent it from growing in the first place. It also gives you an opportunity to get a closer look at your entire waterfront system and see if anything else needs work. However, you don’t need to contact a professional or use harsh chemicals to ensure that your boat and dock are clean. Here are our tips for cleaning your boat and dock in the best way possible.
Start with the Best Materials
Nothing is completely immune to algae—pretty much anything that sits in the water will eventually have some biological growth. However, when it comes to your boat dock, certain materials can help minimize it. Aluminum and polymers are better at resisting algae growth than materials like wood (although pressure-treated wood fares a little better than wood that isn’t treated), and they’re easier to clean once algae starts growing.
Choose Safe Products
Luckily, safe doesn’t mean expensive or specialty. A lot of the safest cleaning supplies are things you likely already have in your home. When cleaning your boat, dock, or lift system, you need a non-corrosive, phosphate-free cleaning solution: if you have baking soda or water-based dishwashing liquid, you’re already set. Other qualities you should look for include biodegradability and a neutral pH. If you need more suggestions, the EPA’s Sager Choice Standard can help you pick something that’s safe for you and the environment. Use soft cleaning pads or brushes to rub surfaces down. Once you’re done, rinse your boat with water from the top down and your dock surface with a pressure washer.
Avoid Dangerous Products
Remember that anything you clean your boat and dock with will end up in the water. Some cleaning products, even those found in your home, can increase pollution in your water. Nutrient pollution is a particular problem in lakes and streams because of the risk of algae blooms and oxygen depletion. In general, avoid cleaning solutions that contain any of the following:
- Ammonia
- Antibacterials or disinfectants
- Butyl glycol, ethylene glycol, or monobutyl
- Chlorine bleach
- Petroleum solvents
- Phosphorus and phosphates
- Phthalates
PolyDock Floating Docks
When it comes to long-term value in a modular dock system, you can’t get much better than PolyDock. We built our systems to go where other docks can’t, with little maintenance required to look great, perform well, and add value to your shoreline. Customization and configurability also contribute to a waterfront system that works the way you need it to. For more information about PolyDock modular floating docks, get in touch with a local PolyDock dealer.
