Be conscientious when cleaning your boatCaution is necessary when cleaning boats because your choice of products and activities can have serious impacts on water quailty and aquatic life. For example, if paint chips from a hull are not contained, they may end up in the water. Since heavy metals in the paint chips may be consumed by mussels, worms, and other bottom-dwelling creatures, the toxins in the paint can then be passed up the food chain to fish, birds, and humans.
You can miminize environmental impacts by implementing the following simple steps:
Clean carefully
Wash frequently with a sponge or nonabrasive pad and plain water. This approach is very effective at removing salt. Additional "elbow-grease" is required to remove stains. When detergents are necessary, use soaps that are phosphate-free, biodegradable, and non-toxic. Any soap should be used sparingly because even non-toxic products can be harmful to wildlife. For example, detergents will destroy the natural oils on fish gills, limiting their ability to breathe. Wax your boat, if appropriate. A good coat of wax prevents surface dirt from becoming ingrained. Clean teak with a mild soap and abrasive pads or bronze wool. This method is safe for the environment and better for the boat than the solvents in standard teak cleaners which tend to eat away at the wood and to damage seam compounds. Avoid detergents that contain ammonia, sodium hypochlorite, chlorinated solvents (bleach), petroleum distillates, and lye. Try some alternative cleaning products.Maintain mindfully
Collect all paint chips, dust, and residue. Dispose in regular trash.
Share leftover paint and varnish.
Use less toxic propylene glycol antifreeze.
Avoid overkill. Select a bottom paint that is appropriate for your region.Recycle regularly
Recycle used oil, oil filters, and antifreeze.
Take used solvents and waste gasoline to local hazardous waste collection days.
Call 1-800-4-RECYCLE for locations of recycling centers and information about hazardous waste collection days.
Visit the Maryland Department of the Environment's web page at http://www.mde.state.md.us/was/recycle/index.html for local recycling and hazardous waste contacts.Be a conscientious consumer
Read product labels. Labels convey information about the degree of hazard associated with a particular product. For example:- DANGER equates to extremely flammable, corrosive or toxic;
- WARNING indicates that the material is moderately hazardous; and
- CAUTION signals a less hazardous product. Select products that contain no warnings or which merely CAUTION consumers.
Be wary of unqualified general claims of environmental benefit, e.g., "ozone friendly." A better, more meaningful label would read, "This product is 95 percent less damaging to the ozone layer than past formulations that contained chlorofuorocarbons (CFCs)." For additional information about environmentally responsible products, contact Green Seal.Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization that sets environmenal standards for consumer goods. Products that meet their criteria are awarded a "Green Seal of Approval." You may search Green Seal"s database of Green Seal-certified, environmentally responsible products at www.greenseal.org or call (202) 588-8400.
How to clean your boat with less harm to the environmentBoating season is here, and with it, the detergents and cleansers that keep boats clean. Here are some tips to reduce the amount of toxins in our waters by using natural alternatives to harmful products.
General Cleaner
Baking soda and vinegar. Or lemon juice combined with borax paste Floor Cleaner
One cup vinegar in 2 gallons of water Window Cleaner
One cup vinegar + 1 qt. warm water. Rinse and squeegee Aluminum Cleaner
2 Tbsp. cream of tartar + 1 qt. of hot water Brass Cleaner
Worcestershire sauce. Or paste made of equal amounts of salt, vinegar, and water Copper Cleaner
Lemon juice and water. Or paste of lemon juice, salt, and flour Chrome Cleaner/Polish
Apple cider vinegar to clean; baby oil to polish Stainless Steel Cleaner
Baking soda or mineral oil for polishing, vinegar to remove spots Fiberglass Stain Remover
Baking soda paste Mildew Remover
Paste with equal amounts of lemon juice and salt, or white vinegar and salt Drain Opener
Dissemble or use plumber's snake. Or flush with boiling water + one-quarter cup baking soda + one-quarter cup vinegar Wood Polish
Olive or almond oil (interior walls only) Hand Cleaner
Baby oil or margarine Head & Shower
Baking soda; brush thoroughly Rug/Upholstery Cleaner
Dry corn starch sprinkled on; vacuumWhile baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and vegetable oils are far less harmful than bleaches, scouring powders or detergents, they are still toxic to marine life. Use all cleaning products sparingly and minimize the amount discharged into the water. Never dispose of any cleaning products down the thru-hull drain; dispose of them on shore.
Adapted from Buller, Pat. 1995. Clean Marina+Clean Boating+Clean Water Partnership. Seattle, WA: Puget Soundkeeper Alliance.
For more information, visit the DNR's Clean Marina Initiative web page.
