– Advertisement / Advertise with Us

The Easy Guide to Boat Cleaning

boat cleaning
(Photo courtesy Salts Gone)

Keeping your boat clean doesn’t have to be a grueling task, nor should it be a quick rinse-and-go approach. For those who love their time on the water but want to keep maintenance straightforward, a smart, easy cleaning process is essential. This guide shows you why a better approach to boat cleaning can make all the difference—and how to use the right products to protect and preserve your vessel effortlessly.

Why Cleaning Your Boat the Right Way Matters

Boats endure more than just water exposure. Salt, fish remnants, dirt, and debris accumulate quickly, especially after a day of fishing. These residues can damage surfaces, dull your boat’s shine, and even cause rust if left untreated. By choosing the right products and techniques, you can keep your boat gleaming and reduce maintenance time significantly.

salty inboard motor
After a day of fishing, boats face more than water exposure—salt, fish remnants, dirt, and debris can quickly build up, dulling surfaces and risking rust.

The Benefits of a Quality Boat Wash

Using a specialized boat wash like Salts Gone saves time, preserves your boat’s exterior, and prevents rust. Here’s how:

  1. Easy, Efficient Cleaning
    A good boat wash should make cleaning quicker and easier. The right formula breaks down salt, grime, and algae without intense scrubbing, letting you spend less time washing and more time on the water. Salts Gone dissolves salt and other buildup with a simple spray, rinse, and go.
  2. Preserves Wax and Shine
    Marine wax enhances a boat’s look and protects it from the elements, but many soaps strip this protective layer away. A product designed for boats, like Salts Gone, is gentle on wax, so your hard-earned shine lasts longer between applications.
  3. Rust Prevention Made Easy
    Rust is the enemy of any vessel exposed to saltwater, and preventing it can feel like a chore. Salts Gone not only cleans but also creates a protective barrier against corrosion, keeping metal parts rust-free and your boat in top condition.
  4. Saves Time and Money
    By using a rust-inhibiting, wax-friendly cleaner, you save on frequent waxing sessions and rust repair costs. With each use, you’re investing in your boat’s long-term care, which means more time enjoying your vessel and less money on constant upkeep.
The 32 oz. refillable hose end sprayer from Salts Gone lets you do the rinsing from the convenience of wherever you have a garden hose hooked up. (Photo courtesy Salts Gone)

Choosing the Best Boat Wash

All boat wash is not created equally. On a recent episode of the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report Podcast we talked with Zach McAllister of Salts Gone to dive into what makes the best boat wash as well as a product that inhibits corrosion on your vessel.

We asked Zach how he got into this industry and more importantly why he created Salts Gone. Here is what he said, “I’ve been in the corrosion industry now for about 15 years. A lot of dealing with heavy industrial corrosion out of Houston. And to make a long story short, if you are Shell Oil, if you’re Elon Musk, or if you’re a guy trying to clean their boat in the backyard, you all know most of the same amount about corrosion, you just know that it exists. And you know that it’s a problem. But most people don’t understand the science behind it.”

“And so, after spending so many years in the corrosion industry, we really needed a product for our customers and the guys that just needed to get the salt off of things to extend the life of the coatings and to extend the life of their equipment. And it just so happens that the parameters that we made the product to, ended up being a perfect fit in the consumer world for stuff like boats where it’s totally safe. It’s easy to use, but it’s 100% effective.”

boat cleaning Salts Gone
Salts Gone™️ is PH neutral, biodegradable and non-toxic. (Photo courtesy Salts Gone)

Simple Steps to Clean Your Boat

Achieving a thorough clean doesn’t mean complicating the process. Here’s an easy routine to keep your boat in great shape without the extra hassle:

  1. Rinse First
    Give your boat a quick freshwater rinse to remove loose dirt and salt. This helps reduce the chance of scratches during cleaning.
  2. Apply Salts Gone
    Spray Salts Gone Boat Wash across the boat’s surfaces. Its salt-dissolving formula works fast to eliminate grime, fish residue, and other tough stains without the need for aggressive scrubbing.
  3. Gently Scrub if Needed
    For particularly stubborn spots, use a microfiber cloth or soft-bristled brush to gently loosen grime without scratching your boat’s finish.
  4. Rinse and Dry
    Rinse thoroughly with fresh water to remove all soap and residue, and then dry with a soft microfiber cloth to avoid water spots.
  5. Wax Periodically for Added Protection
    A quick coat of marine wax after washing keeps the boat shiny, protects it from UV rays, and makes future cleanings even easier.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your boat shouldn’t be a chore. With the right approach, it’s easy to keep your boat looking pristine and protected from salt, dirt, and rust. Salts Gone Boat Wash makes this simple by combining cleaning, rust prevention, and wax protection into one straightforward solution. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll enjoy a clean, beautiful boat that’s ready for every adventure without all the hard work.

This site brought to you by our digital sponsors …

Sign up for our email newsletter

Hunting and fishing tips, fishing reports, product reviews and more for the Southern sportsman.

By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.