Bilge cleaning

[tonyiiiafl]

The bilge is getting a bit dingy, It was cleaned a few years ago,, and it looks like time again. I was thinking of removing any oil pads in there, then spraying down with purple cleaner/degreaser. Then taking the garden hose from the shore and washing it all down. Then, use a vacuum pump to suck out the dingy after. It should also help with some of the odors? Input please?

I have seen people taking a hose to the center bilge and filling with water to allow the stinky water to dilute and be pumped out by the bilge pumps.

[throwback2]

Try marine Grez Off by spray nine.It works a lot better than the purple power.You'll thank me later.

[bud37]

I have always just used the cleaner then wiped it up with old towels, absorbent cloths, just avoids all the water, vacs etc. You can use sticks etc to push the towels around, then it is all dry , new pads and maybe make a couple shallow pans that fit under the mechanicals, put a pad in each then later all you do is change pads from the drip pans........

[tonyiiiafl]

Just ordered Grez Off. Going to weed out the old towels and git ‘er done1

[vineyardgray]

What odors besides oily engine stink are you getting? I find the bilge under my forward berth to be the foulest, stink wise. I wish the engine compartment were the stinkiest because in a Santego, that's outdoors!

[tonyiiiafl]

Just a foul smell. I replaced the sanitation hoses 2 years ago, and that made a difference. Perhaps the tanks are permeating some of the odor. I will spray them down good and clean around them also.

[tonyiiiafl]

Just a foul smell. I replaced the sanitation hoses 2 years ago, and that made a difference. Perhaps the tanks are permeating some of the odor. I will spray them down good and clean around them also.

[kamakazerc]

Hi, ... As most of us, we've owned at least a few boats, and bilge orders are something that is always being chased down. I always used the usual recommended marine products, and they worked ok. But I happened to have a work friend that used to work in New Orleans after Catrina, cleaning and disinfecting flooded houses. He turned me on to "OdoBan"
It works wonders. Once you've done the basic cleaning, I just spray down areas of the bilge that have been damp. And even drain a bit down the sinks and showers to treat the shower sumps. And WOW. No nasty smells all season. It's also environmentally safe!
The main thing though, as I've heard discussed, is keep the bilge dry. But if water does accumulate, and you don't have the time right away to do a cleaning
Just popping a few Oz's in the standing water, will do wonders.
The pic, is what I get from Amazon. It's consentrated , so two gallons lasts for a long time...
So.... Happy cleaning, And boating