Not a lot of anglers focus on their boat carpet when cleaning out their equipment. But this is just as important to maintain if you want a clean and great-looking boat as you fish for hours on end. Unfortunately, the carpet is more susceptible to mold and mildew, being exposed to weather and saltwater.
So how can you remove the mold for your next fishing trip? Read on as I show you tips and steps to follow on how to remove mold from boat carpet efficiently.
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How to Remove Mold From Boat Carpet
Anglers and boating enthusiasts face mold because of the constant exposure to waters and humidity. Don’t ignore these molds, as they can worsen and eat through your carpet, making it a pricier problem!
Using a vacuum cleaner or broom and dustpan is a simple way to remove the dust and debris that may cause molds. But to remove existing mold, clean your carpet with these excellent tips and methods:
1. Place It Under the Sun
One of the first and easiest ways to get rid of mold in your carpet is to place it under the sun. Mold and mildew enjoy dark and moist areas, and if it’s humid, the faster mold will grow.
This is probably the first thing to do when you detect mold and mildew on your boat carpet. Place it on the deck under the sun, so ultraviolet light kills mold and mildew. Be sure to leave it under the sun for a few hours before cleaning it, so it will be easier to get rid of the mold.
2. Use a UV Light
If you don’t live in an area with a lot of sun, it’s still possible to use ultraviolet light to get rid of mold and mildew. For those who can’t remove their boat carpets or have enough sun, then use a powerful UV light. These will do the same job as if you placed the carpet under the sun.
You can either use an actual UV light or invest in a UV vacuum cleaner, which will clean your carpet from any dirt while keeping it away from mold and mildew.
3. Clean Your Carpet Regularly
As mentioned, your boat carpet will be most susceptible to a lot of mold and mildew, as well as stains and dirt. You’ll be stepping on it with dirt-stained boots, which contains a ton of biological waste such as hair, skin particles, or dirt from what you stepped on while walking to the boat.
Such bacteria may have proteins that mold and mildew feed off. And with the damp conditions, it will make your carpet the ideal environment for them to grow. That’s why you need to clean off the dirt and stains completely and regularly to prevent mold from feeding into it.
Here are various methods to clean your boat carpet while removing mold and mildew:
Hand Scrubbing
Use a stiff brush, bucket, a cleaning detergent, water hose, and your elbow grease for this method. Scrub off all dirt, stains, and mold from the carpet until the entire surface is spic and span!
This is an inexpensive yet time-consuming way but gets the job done simply.
Carpet Cleaner
There are carpet cleaners and steamers you can invest in, which can really give your carpet the deep cleaning it needs. However, they are quite an expensive purchase, but less tedious work and will be more effective and efficient in removing dirt and stains.
Pressure Washer
Pressure washers are effective in removing stains and deep cleaning your carpet without the need for detergent or other cleaning products. It will get rid of all types of stains and mold with strong water pressure!
However, the pressure may damage the carpet if you clean it wrong. Furthermore, it requires access to a water hose and is heavy, expensive equipment.
Hire Cleaning Services
There are companies that offer carpet or boat cleaning services, using experienced staff and quality products to remove all forms of mold and stains. However, they are costly especially when you use them regularly!
4. Remove Moisture
As mentioned, moisture and dark environments can cause mildew easily. If you spilled something on the carpet, if it rained, or you walked around with wet boots, then moisture seeps to the carpet, with mold getting into the wood!
Prevent mold and mildew from growing at all by dabbing any liquids up with tissue or cloth, drying out the area as much as you can. If the spill is too much or it suffered from harsh rains, then clean it immediately when you get the chance.
5. Use Homemade Mildew Cleaner
I know some people don’t like using cleaning products with chemicals that may destroy their carpet in the long run. Fortunately, there are ways you can make your own natural mold and mildew cleaner!
All you need to do is to mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the molded areas and use a brush or sponge to scrub the mold and mildew off. If the mold and mildew are tougher, then use a stiff brush or scrub brush.
Afterward, allow the area to air dry, preferably under the sun. Your carpet will be free from molds after this, just make sure to do this at least once a month or when you find any mold around the carpet.
Read More: Do You Have To Register A Boat With A Trolling Motor In California? Get the Facts Straight
Do you want to learn more about how to remove mold from the boat carpet and clean it efficiently? Check out this video on how to clean your fishing boat and carpet:
Wrapping It Up
It’s crucial to clean out your boat, including your boat carpet, if you want your boat to continue working for years to come. With the right materials and methods, your carpet will look and feel great without worry about it wearing out. Just make sure to clean your boat and carpet regularly!
I hope that these tips on how to remove mold from boat carpet helped you out! So don’t wait any longer and begin following any of these tips today.
