Cleaning Your Boat Inside & Out

Cleaning tools and tips to keep your boat looking good, bug free, and working well -- in a marine environment.

Cleaning and Preventing the “ICW Mustache”

Published on August 26, 2025; last updated on August 20, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock/Mitchell Sharp

How do you go about cleaning and preventing the ICW Mustache on your cruising boat? Here are a few tips to clean your boat quickly.

Published on May 8, 2025; last updated on January 2, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Avoid a major “critter” infestation by thoroughly preparing the galley before you leave the boat. It’s not just a matter of getting rid of food.

Published on December 26, 2024; last updated on March 3, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

How to disinfect your boat with bleach–the correct solution, some things not to do, and other helpful info.

Published on March 6, 2024; last updated on March 26, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Bleach doesn’t kill mold spores. Neither does Lysol. Here’s what actually works, surface by surface.

Published on November 8, 2023; last updated on January 2, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

A thorough spring cleaning of the galley pays off with fewer bugs, rodents and funky smells. And lets you know of potential problem areas.

Published on September 30, 2023; last updated on January 10, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock/Pamela Douglas

How do you keep your boat clean? Especially when you’re causing with kids and pets? Here are a few quick tips.

Published on August 23, 2023; last updated on August 22, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

What are the best cleaning products for a boat? Here’s my list of products that are less toxic and that work.

Published on October 12, 2022; last updated on December 26, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Cool nights and tropical days can lead to condensation followed by mold and mildew. What to do? Here’s how we manage it on our boat.

Published on October 20, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

Why to use TeakGuard, how to apply it, and what exactly makes this so easy to use.

Published on July 24, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Life on board poses special problems. Mold is one of them. How do you keep mold from eating your favorite things?