Having a clean natural wood deck is the great dream of every passionate owner. However, knowing how to clean teak floors on a boat requires learning all the proper methods today. With the right steps and the ideal material, your ship will always look like new.
Why natural wood loses its color
Virgin wood suffers constant damage due to the strong effect of the sun. The marine environment is very hard for the fibers of any boat deck. These external agents make the material lose its initial gold color tone very soon.
- The strong sun breaks the natural fiber and causes a color change today.
- Sea salt acts like a lens and raises the heat on the floor.
- High humidity helps the growth of mold that stains the fiber black.
- People walking by bring sand grains that scratch the wood little by little.
- Air with grease and pollution dirties the wood pores very fast now.
Proper materials for cleaning
To do a good job you need to have the ideal cleaning items today. Having the right equipment makes the maintenance task much easier on your boat.
- Use large plastic buckets to mix the water with the mild soap.
- Hand brushes with long handles help to scrub without much effort now.
- Have several microfiber cloths ready to dry the corners of the boat.
- White vinegar is a great ally to remove hard lime stains today.
- Use rubber gloves to protect your hands from the wetness of water.
Steps to perform a deep cleaning
Doing a good job requires following very clear steps at all times now. This methodology guarantees the removal of all dirt without damaging the natural surface.
1. Wetting the surface abundantly
Use plenty of fresh water to wet the wood before applying mild soap. The water prevents the strong liquid from entering very deep into dry material.
2. Applying the nautical cleaner
Pour the soap evenly over the entire area you want to wash today. Always avoid letting the liquid dry because of the strong sunlight.
3. Let the product act
Let the product work for five minutes to loosen all the old dirt. This time helps the soap remove the grime in a very easy way.
4. Always scrub against the grain
This step is key to caring for the life of your light wood. Scrubbing sideways prevents the soft parts from coming out of the hard board.
5. Final rinsing and drying
Wash the entire area with plenty of water to remove old grime remains. Remove every trace of soap before the sun dries the clean floor.
Common mistakes you should avoid
Many owners make serious mistakes when cleaning boat teak without having expert help. These errors can cause damage to the wood that has no cure later.
1. Using water at high pressure
The stream of water at high pressure pulls the soft fibers out today. Never use strong pressure machines on the wood floor of your boat.
2. Always scrubbing with the grain
Scrubbing with the wood grain creates grooves that keep black dirt forever. You must always scrub sideways to not create ugly scratches on the deck.
3. Applying very strong home soap
Using very strong home soap removes the oils that care for wood. You should always buy mild soaps that are suitable for sea use.
4. Not rinsing well with fresh water
Not rinsing well with fresh water leaves chemical remains that are bad. You have to rinse the area with plenty of water after soap.
5. Letting the soap dry in the sun
Letting the soap dry in the sun can stain the wood forever. Always work in small areas so the liquid stays wet at all times.
When to switch to synthetic teak
A day comes when caring for natural wood feels very tiring today. Wear after years of sanding leaves marks that are very ugly to see. Putting a new floor helps to enjoy sea days much more now. Flexiteek has a classic style without the failures of the old wood.
Frequently asked questions
How often is it necessary to perform a deep cleaning?
It is very good to perform cleaning boat teak tasks every three months. This plan helps the grime not to enter the fresh wood fiber.
What type of soap is the most suitable for the deck?
Always use mild soaps that are for the marine environment on the boat. Very strong chemicals remove the fat that cares for the internal wood.
Is it better to use fresh water or salt water?
To clean the boat teak often, sea water helps a lot always. The constant use of fresh water helps the mold grow on wood.
Why does the wood turn black after several rainy days?
The still water helps fungi grow and turn the floor very black. You must wash the floor with sea water to remove these fungi.
What is the correct direction for scrubbing with the brush?
You must scrub sideways to the grain to avoid damage to floors. Doing it with the board creates stripes that keep grime every day.
Can baking soda be used to remove ugly wood stains?
Baking soda is a good home remedy to clean very dirty areas. Mix it with water to form a paste that removes floor grease.