Most Household Cleaners are Unsafe to Use on a Boat

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A clean boat provides the same level of accomplishment and pride as a spotless home, but the products used to get to that point are vastly different. Shurhold Industries, the leader in marine cleaners and maintenance tools, offers a set of Clean-N-Simple Tips to help owners keep their vessels in showroom-like condition.

Interior and exterior boat surfaces are different than those found in a home and often more delicate. Household cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can damage the vessel. Common dish soap is one such product. It gets the job done, but eats into gel coat, and removes wax and polish, leaving the vessel to oxidize and prematurely age.

A dedicated marine-specific soap such as Shurhold’s concentrated Brite Wash is a smarter solution. Safe to use anywhere on board, including on isinglass, it cuts through dirt, grease and salt residue. It saves boat owners from needing to re-wax the vessel and resists water spotting. Environmentally friendly, it’s completely biodegradable and can be rinsed overboard.

Bleach is another culprit commonly used on boats. It’s effective, but dulls gel coat and fades paint after only a few uses. It changes the color of vinyl, quickly degrades fabrics such as Sunbrella and WeatherMAX and corrodes fittings, even stainless steel. In the bilge, it becomes a disposal issue since it’s highly toxic to aquatic life.

SMC Spray is the bleach-free and environmentally friendly alternative from Shurhold. It removes the toughest of stains and is safe to use on all surfaces, including fiberglass, acrylic, carpet, fabric, non-skid, rubber, teak, and vinyl seating and graphics.

Even in the home, glass cleaner can be challenging to use. It streaks and leaves lint behind if paper towels are used. When used on isinglass, Plexiglas, plastic or touchscreen electronics, it can make the material brittle because it contains ammonia.

Common in homes for over 50 years, spray-on/wipe-off wax contains silicone and leaves a greasy residue. It may make a surface shine, but shows every fingerprint, and tends to attract dust and dirt.

Shurhold’s Serious Shine is a true one-stop detailer. It cleans, polishes and protects any surface commonly treated with glass cleaner or spray wax in one easy step. With UV inhibitors, and anti-static and water- repelling properties, it makes the ideal marine maintenance product.

Microfiber Towels from Shurhold are the ideal companion to Serious Shine. Super absorbent, they gently lift dirt, moisture, grease, and stains, without scratching delicate surfaces.

While it may have “soft” in its name, it’s anything but. Household cleaners that were developed to remove kitchen and bathroom stains are far too abrasive to use on a boat. Its aggressive grit quickly dulls gel coat and paint, and is noticeable after only one use, even on molded-in non- skid.

When an aggressive restoration compound is needed, Shurhold’s Buff Magic is the perfect solution. Formulated with jewelers rouge, it actually breaks down as it’s being used, becoming finer with use, until it’s a polishing agent. It gently and effectively removes oxidation, stains, rust, and surface scratches.

Just as everyone should protect themselves from harmful UV rays with sunscreen when enjoying the outdoors, boats should be protected from the sun’s damaging rays. Shurhold’s Pro Polish Wax seals the pores of fiberglass with a durable, UV- and water-resistant finish. Superior to traditional petroleum-based waxes, it delivers a deep, high gloss shine.

Because of their advanced formulas, marine-specific cleaners are perfect for RVs, cars, trucks, motorcycles and even the home. A video of their effectiveness is at bit.ly/2zRcH6x.

A 32 oz. bottle of Shurhold’s Brite Wash is $11.98; a 32 oz. spray bottle of SMC is $11.98; a 14 oz. aerosol can of Serious Shine is $17.98; a 3-pack variety of Microfiber Towels is $18.98; and a 16 oz. bottle of Pro Polish Wax is $22.98.

Dedicated to educating boat owners, Shurhold provides key tips for boat value preservation at www.shurhold.com. Inventor of the One Handle Does It All system, Shurhold manufactures specialty care items and accessories to clean, polish and detail.

Contact Shurhold, 3119 SW 42nd Ave., Palm City, FL 34990. 800-962-6241; Fax: 772-286-9620. www.shurhold.com.