How to Disinfect Your Boat for COVID-19 (An Ultimate Guide)

It’s been a long day, and you’re finally back on land. You’ve spent the whole day disinfecting your boat, but you still feel like something is missing. Maybe it’s because you don’t know what to do after the boat has been disinfected.

If that sounds familiar, then this guide is for you! We’ll cover how to complete the process of Covid-19 deep cleaning and sanitizing your boat so that it will be safe from any potential viruses or bacteria when in use again. Let’s get started!

Why Should You Disinfect Your Boat?

There’s nothing worse than spending the day on the water and coming down with a terrible virus. However, you can prevent this from happening by disinfecting your boat after every use. Not only does it keep you and other people safe, but it also keeps your boat in tip-top shape for future uses!

All the usual rules apply when cleaning your boat, such as using non-toxic and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

These cleaners will keep the outside of your boat looking fresh and new while disinfecting any viruses or bacteria that may be lurking on the surface.

How to Disinfect Your Boat for COVID-19

Let’s get to the fun part! Here are some general instructions on how to properly disinfect your boat.

Wear Personal Protective Equipment

You should always wear personal protective equipment such as goggles and gloves when you are disinfecting your boat. This ensures that any harmful chemicals or viruses do not contact your eyes, mouth, nose, etc.

Use Cleaning and Disinfection Products.

There are several effective vehicle cleaning and disinfection products on the market. These will kill any harmful viruses or bacteria that may be on your vehicle after it has been used.

Disinfect All Surfaces

Make sure to disinfect every surface of your boat, no matter how small or large it is. This includes seats, storage compartments, anchors, rudder, motor, footrests, pedal drives, etc.

Use Diluted Household Bleach Solutions.

If you don’t have any special Covid cleaning products, diluted bleach solutions will also disinfect your boat. Just remember to rinse your boat thoroughly after disinfecting it since bleach can damage it if left too long.

Mix Household Bleach Solution

First, mix one-part bleach with four parts of water in a spray bottle. This solution will be used to disinfect the surfaces of your boat. Then apply it generously on all surfaces and let stand for fifteen minutes before rinsing it off with fresh water.

Be careful; you should always use unexpired household bleach in the solution. Please do not use other kinds of bleach, such as a scented type or a colour-safe bleach, since they do not contain the same level of disinfection agents as regular bleach.

Disinfecting surfaces for too long with these types of bleach may make it ineffective.
Many solid surfaces can be disinfected with bleach alone. It is best to check the labels of your boat cleaning products to see if they can also be used for general disinfection purposes. Generally, other than bleach, hydrogen peroxide and other disinfectant sprays may also be used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Disinfect My Boat Myself?

Yes, you can! It is usually easy to clean and sanitize your boat yourself. However, some people choose to go the professional route so that they are guaranteed the job will be done properly.

How Often Should I Disinfect My Boat?

This depends on how frequently you use your boat, but it is generally best to disinfect it after each use.

Does the type of water I boat on affect how often I need to disinfect my boat?
Yes, some types of water may be more prone to harbouring viruses as fresh and saltwater. If you use your boat for fishing or if you fish on your boat then it is especially important that you sanitize your boat at least once a month.

Do I Need to Change the Water in My Boat After Disinfecting It?

No, you don’t. However, if your boat is stored for a long time, then it would be advisable to drain and replace the water in your boat. This will help remove any residual bleach or other chemicals from your previous disinfection which may start to damage the fibres of your boat over time.

Do I Need to Clean My Boat Before I Can Disinfect It?

Generally, you don’t have to. However, some manufacturers recommend that you first scrub away any dirt or grime on your boat with a stiff brush and fresh water before disinfecting it.

How Do I Clean and Disinfect My Boat’s Motor?

Simply spray the cleaning solution on all surfaces of your motor and let it stand for fifteen minutes before rinsing it off with fresh water. Rinse thoroughly to get rid of any excess chemicals that may damage the engine.

Last Thoughts

While we hope you never need to disinfect your boat, everyone needs to be prepared if the worst happens.

The information we’ve provided should help get you started on this necessary task and ensure that COVID-19 doesn’t spread any further than it has already.

If there is anything else you want to know about how to stop COVID-19 from spreading, or if you have questions about any of the steps outlined here, let us know!

We’re always happy to answer more questions and provide resources like these blog posts so all boaters can stay informed and take care of themselves and their loved ones during this difficult time.

Do You Need to Hire a Commercial Cleaning Staff?

We can help! Clean Group is the best choice for your business. Our services are affordable, and we’ll work with you to make sure our service meets your needs. Plus, we have over ten years of experience in the industry, so you know that we do it right when it comes to commercial cleaning.

Let us take care of all your office cleaning needs so that you can focus on running your business instead of worrying about how dirty everything has gotten behind closed doors.

You won’t find another company as experienced or reliable as ours, so let us clean up for good your workplace, and minimize the risk!

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