Cleaning Your Houseboat - The Eco-Friendly Way

You might think that the dirtiest thing you come into contact with on a daily basis is your cell phone, but that simply isn’t true. In fact, studies show that the average human comes into contact with about 60,000 types of germs on a daily basis. Bacteria, mold, and mildew can be found everywhere, from your office to your car, and yes, even in (and on) our beloved houseboats. Because these harmful illness causing microorganisms are able to thrive in just about any environment, it’s important to keep them at bay. Whether you’re part of a friendly dock community, or just boating solo, there really is nothing more satisfying than a clean houseboat.

DIY Approach To Combating Mold

One of the most frequent occurrences from lack of cleanliness is mold. Mold is a fungus that grows when there is moisture present within your home, your shower, or just about anywhere moisture can reach. Many people often don’t think about mold as being much of an issue, which is why it is extremely important to be properly educated on the fungus, as it poses harm to our health.

Mold can be found anywhere, but especially on and in your houseboat due to the high exposure to humidity and moisture. An easy, eco-friendly way to rid your boat of mold is to use a mixture of water and vinegar while cleaning. Vinegar acts as a natural acidic cleaning agent and is easily able to kill off the mold. Simply apply the mixture on the moldy area and let it sit for an hour before wiping away.

Cleaning made eco-friendly

When cleaning your houseboat, it’s worth mentioning that you don’t need anything fancy to aid you in your cleaning mission. Cleaning the exterior of your boat is necessary, and can be made surprisingly simple - all you need is a rinse (or power wash) with fresh water and a mild eco-friendly soap.

To clean your windows, a DIY cleaning solution made with vinegar has been proven to work wonders. If you’re looking for a pleasant aroma while cleaning, adding a few drops of your favorite essential oils will go a long way. Other household items can become quite versatile when it comes to cleaning in a more eco-friendly manner, such as baking soda and lemons. Like vinegar, lemons make a great natural cleanser, as they contain an acid that makes them the perfect antibacterial solution.

Why go eco-friendly?

There are many reasons to go eco-friendly when it comes to cleaning. One of the biggest reasons when it comes to cleaning your houseboat is to preserve sea life. Usually the standard go-to cleaning solution no matter where you are or what you’re cleaning contains some type of harmful substance, and when you’re washing the exterior of your houseboat the last thing you want to be putting in the ocean is chemicals. There is ocean life that needs protecting, and you can help by using products that won’t harm it. Using eco-friendly techniques and products has also been proven to be far more cheaper and cost efficient, as fewer, more natural ingredients are used.

A clean houseboat is a happy houseboat

Cleaning your houseboat is important, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. With the use of eco-friendly DIY products and techniques, the task becomes much easier. It’s no secret that cleaning often leads to satisfying results, but knowing that the cleaning was done in a more eco-friendly way that benefits the environment makes it that much more worth it.