Cleaning carpet in boat

[BRG25]

My carpet in my 19' bowrider has taking a beating and I was wondering what the best way to clean it is? Rent a steam cleaner? Pay to have it done? The boat is a 2000 but the carpet looks like crap. Any ideas?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Brian

 

[Surffx]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

You know what I've been doing is taking mine to the "nickel wash" (you know the place you put in a couple of bucks in quarters and it gives you 2 minutes with the high pressure sprayer). I've been using the soap setting for a minute and then the rinse setting. After that, let the sun do it job the rest of the way home to dry it. Works pretty darn good, but admittedly I've probably should've asked some of the experts if this is ok.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

I use a hoover steamer from the house. Mine is snap in so it is rather easy.

 

[ebsworj]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

Some of those "nickel washes" have steam cleaners I'm going to take mine there as it is in similarly bad shape.

 

[Surffx]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

ya, the one I go to has the high pressure hose with hot/warm soapy water (I'm not sure if that's what you meant by steam cleaner). I just spray her down with soap, then rinse. Let it drain into the bilge, it's almost completely dry by the time I get home (40 minutes or so). Looks brand new again. I'm just worried doing it every weekend might where out the carpet faster than normal. But I'm pretty sure I herd the idea for another forum.

 

[BRG25]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

So you're saying you blast the inside of this boat with the presure washer from the car wash? <br /><br />

 

[Surffx]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

errr, ya. I mean I think "blast" is a pretty strong word. The hose I'm talkin about isn't from the fire dept. It has two settings too, and the first setting defiantly isn't that strong. Plus I'm not holding it half an inch away from the carpet, more like 2 feet away.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

I'd be concerned with the carpet not completely drying, eventually rotting the wood underneath. Also, what about water splashing under the dash, causing electrical connections to rust?

 

[Surffx]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

Well I think the second thing you mentioned is more of a concern. I never thought about the electrical, that does worry me. About the rotting though, we get a lot of water in the boat from swimmers/wakeboarders/tubers, isn’t that the same thing? Anyway this is just what a rookie like me has been doing (actually only 3 times so far). I am by no means and expert…obviously . <br /><br />Thanks for raising the concerns.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

Many, many boaters go to extraordinary measures to keep water OUT of the interior of thier boats. I'd recommend that if you have a carpeted boat that contains any form of wooden structure, that you avoid introducing large amounts of water. Might look dry, but I'd bet under the carpet it isnt. A high pressure hose would classify as a LOT of water.<br /><br />If it were me, I'd use the manual method of applying carpet cleaner in spray/foam method and scrubbing by hand. A shop vac can then pull out residuals after it dries (read the instructions as per vendor for specifics). If the carpet is removal via snaps.... then certainly remove it from the boat for a more thorough cleaning. Carpets in a boat will deteriorate and discolor over time. Its a fact of life. Eventually, the only real cure is to replace them. Instead of focussing on the discoloration, simply lift your head high, hammer the throttle and enjoy your boat for what it was meant to be. My 2 cents.

 

[BRG25]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

Thanks guys, most people are considerate enough not to track dirt in my house but think nothing of walking through a mud puddle and then hopping in the boat. Maybe I'm just too obsessive.

 

[zoom50]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

Looking long term, you might want to consider getting rid of the carpet. I have heard of many coating deck with truck bed liner. This will provide traction, durability, and won't let a drop hit your wood. I have looked into it and it comes in several light colors. There are some forums posted within this website that might offer more info than I can provide. I think boat manufacturers are getting the hint that wood and water don't mix. Seems like all are going with composite decks...just a thought.<br /><br />Zoom

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

I have a 15 foot Skeeter that needed the carpet cleaned. I sprayed Wesley's Bleach White for white wall tires,scrubbed it with a scrub brush, then hosed it down. Let it sit in the sun and/or place a fan in the boat. My carpet looks brand new and it's an '88 boat.

 

[BRG25]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

Thanks for the ideas guys.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

I can't believe people are afraid to get their boats wwet. Haven't you ever been caught in a rain storm? Or fished all day in a steady rain?<br /><br />I've been using a bucket of warm water with laundry detergent, a soft scrub brush, and a garden hose for years. The laundry detergent is low foaming, and rinses out easily.<br /><br />I ran my entire boat thru the car wash once. Then had to go home and rinse it out for an hour to get all the soap out of the carpet.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

Some of us have more sense than that...............

 

[Realgun]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

Actually the Bayliners that he has will not rot. They put a lot of effort into that now than when mine was built. I will be using the pressure washer at the car was too. I rebuilt it and I did it right. noting short of a torpedo is going to hurt my boat. <br /><br />Actually I just took the boat the the car wash. I could not believe the hull was that dirty and was able to start on the compounding. Looks better and better!!! And yes I did the insides too. That Fiberglass dust was still in some spots. And I though I had vacuumed and wiped it all out too.

 

[QC]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

I have done similar to roscoe a couple of times (minus the car wash). I get a pair of trunks on and climb in with a hose. They need to dry out, yes, but boats can and do get wet. My first boat is still running (brother-in-law's now) a<br />'84. The floor hasn't caved in yet and the carpet is clean. Also, automatically gives the bilge a good cleaning.<br /><br />On my 2nd boat I had the outdrive (Alpha) go and pump milk shake into the bilge and ski locker (carpeted). Tell me how to clean that out without a hose.<br /><br />Some of us have dirty carpets too . . .

 

[roscoe]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

Originally posted by sea wolf:<br /> Some of us have more sense than that...............

Hey, I only get so much vacation time. A little rain doesn't stop me from fishing. If the run is on, I fish. If I drive 6oo miles to a lake, I fish, rain or not.<br /><br />Some of you guys sound like Harley riders. 100 miles a day, if it isn't raining. Pheweey!! Used to ride 300-500, rain or shine, on a few days we logged over 750 miles.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Cleaning carpet in boat

Boats get wet inside and out. It's BS to think anything will come of it if it's pressure washed. I wouldn't exactly hose down your guages/console area though. <br /><br />Ever forget to put in the plug off the ramp? Also, we get our share of rain here in the St. Lawrence valley and many boats get rained in. Floor boards aren't being changed like old underwear here either. <br /><br />I use a Bissel Carpet cleaner because I have one. (Our house has carpets.) Renting a machine is a great idea because itll suck most of the wetness out bringing down your drying time. If you pressure washed, the important thing is to let it dry out in the sun and if it's possible, have the boat pitched backwards on your trailer to let the water run out the drain plug.