Vinegar has long been used in cleaning and maintaining homes because it is effective for killing most mold, bacteria, and germs due to its level of acidity. White distilled vinegar is an economical and environmentally friendly cleaner that is tough on cleaning jobs. You can use it aboard your boat to remove stains, clean, shine and deodorize. Keep a stash of vinegar aboard and try these quick tips out on your boat:
- Use vinegar as a general cleaning aid by mixing with water to clean and shine the galley sink. Deodorize the drain by pouring 1 cup baking soda and one cup hot distilled white vinegar down the drain. Rinse after 5 minutes.
- Clean counter tops with undiluted vinegar to cut dirt and grime, and remove odors.
- Pump vinegar through your boat's sewage system to control the formation of mineral deposits.
- Soak the toilet bowl in the head overnight with vinegar to remove waterline marks. Repeated soakings will remove scale as well.
- If you have insect pests, particularly ants, try pouring vinegar on some of their trails to confuse them and encourage them to find new territory. You can also spray entry points such as hatches to discourage pests.
- Get rid of fruit flies by setting out a small dish of undiluted white distilled vinegar.
