Having a clean dock is important for a lake house. Not only does it maintain the property’s aesthetic appeal, but it is also safer for your family. A slippery dock can be dangerous and can lead to falls. While sealing your dock annually protects it from algae from growing in the first place, regular cleaning helps you avoid cracks on the surface and mold.
The good news is that cleaning your boat dock is not that difficult. A round with a pressure hose will remove all the surface dirt. As for those stubborn stains, let’s take a look at how to get rid of them:
Use Vinegar and Baking Soda
Baking soda and vinegar are far apart on the pH scale. The former is alkaline, and the latter is acidic. Mixing them creates a complex reaction, which produces a fizz of a nonflammable gas, carbon dioxide, and water.
Separately, both ingredients are great cleaners. Baking soda dissolves dirt and grease, and vinegar breaks mineral deposits without staining the surface. Together, they make a dynamic duo that effectively cleans stubborn stains.
This is why vinegar and baking soda make the best DIY cleaning solution.
Once you have pressure-washed the dock, scrub any visible stains. Splash the dock generously with this DIY solution and wait for a few minutes for the ingredients to work their magic. Pressure wash the surface again to remove any residue.
What to Avoid
Some cleaning products cause environmental problems and put you at risk. Moreover, it’s important to understand what chemicals will go into the water while cleaning the dock. A couple of household cleaners can pollute the streams and lakes and cause oxygen depletion and algae booms that hurt wildlife. Check the label of the cleaning products for the following hazardous ingredients:
- Phthalates
- Antibacterials and disinfectants
- Ammonia
- Butyl glycol, monobutyl, or ethylene glycol
- Petroleum solvents
- Chlorine bleach
- Phosphorous and phosphates
Now that you know the basics of cleaning your boat dock, let’s take a look at one of the most effective DIY solutions to make your dock look as good as new:
Here are some tips to be a less toxic boater:
- Get down on your knees and use elbow grease the scrub the stains
- Properly store materials on your dock
- Dispose of hazardous waste safely and legally
- If you don’t have time to clean the dock yourself and will have to rent the basic equipment, hire a professional cleaning crew instead
You can try a couple of other common household ingredients, such as lemon, borax, and citrus-based degreaser. The last one is an eco-friendly solution made from orange peels and water. It helps remove sticky residue, grease, and oil from metals and other materials.
If you plan to buy a dock, opt for a wooden structure with a seal to prevent it from rotting. Nor Col EZ Dock offers this type of dock and others in different materials. Their boat docks are available in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and other cities for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Their floating docks are available in various materials and require less maintenance. For more information, call (800) 654-8168.
