Cleaning wood walls

[MadHatter53]

What is a good product to use on my walls? I get the mildew on them and wondered what folks here use to clean them. I do a monthly wipe down in season so the mildew isn’t bad, I have a can of lemon Pledge plus a few other wood cleaners. I used some very diluted bleach and also white vinegar and that’s good but looking for some other recommendations.

 

[madhatter1]

Wipe with quality (I use Bounty) paper towels first. Wet paper towel and squeeze out enough water that its not dripping wet. Wipe all wood rotating towel to keep wiping with mostly clean part. Then start with another clean one. I save the dirty ones in a pile so if I find a heavy mildew spot I can use these to pre wipe the big stuff. Then when dry then apply your favorite wood treatment.

And throw a dehumidifier in when sitting. It helps a tremendous amount. Run the drain line into the galley sink.

 

[SEVEN]

Are your walls coated with varnish or an oil finish? Oil is food for mold and mildew. Add humidity and you have a breeding ground. If it’s varnish it can grow on the surface as well but easier to get rid of. It may take 3 to 4 wipe downs with a mild solution of bleach and water and a good rinse.

 

[JuiceClark]

I cleaned mine with Orange Glo Cleaner. Afterward, I coated everything with Minwax Antique Oil Finish.
I'm hopeful it won't encourage growth because it dries hard after a couple hours...not poly hard but it's not sticky to the touch. I'm only 2 months into that experiment, but hopeful.

 

[JuiceClark]

BTW, do you guys use one of these terry cloth covered sponges to wipe stuff on the wood? It makes it go sooo much faster than a rag or brush.

 

[43DoubleCabin]

Would Having a dehumidifier running full time not probably eliminate the majority of those problems?

 

[Eddieclemons]

I cleaned mine with Orange Glo Cleaner. Afterward, I coated everything with Minwax Antique Oil Finish.
I'm hopeful it won't encourage growth because it dries hard after a couple hours...not poly hard but it's not sticky to the touch. I'm only 2 months into that experiment, but hopeful.

View attachment 49974View attachment 49975

Wowza, Looks Great!!!

 

[MadHatter53]

I assume my walls are oiled so to say I don’t know but surely not varnished. The prior owner had left nothing on the boat when I first saw it so I can’t tell what was used prior. The mildew isn’t bad and is mostly confined to the lower level. I give it a good cleaning at the beginning of the season and just a routine cleaning every couple of weeks. I normally use Pledge and want to see what others are using for a protectant. I have a bottle of orange glo some Murphy’s,old English and a few other things at home I might try.

 

[wpc691]

Would Having a dehumidifier running full time not probably eliminate the majority of those problems?

Absolutely. This is my fifth summer in SW Florida, and I have zero mold or mildew issues. 70 liter dehumidifier running in the salon (self contained pump to sink), and a small fan in the v berth and master running 24/7.

 

[JuiceClark]

Absolutely. This is my fifth summer in SW Florida, and I have zero mold or mildew issues. 70 liter dehumidifier running in the salon (self contained pump to sink), and a small fan in the v berth and master running 24/7.

After spending $6k on a new Dometic, I'm just going to run that on the dehumidify setting until the warranty runs out. Then, I'll get a dehumidifier like yours.

I bought one of those portable a/c units and was going to set it on the kitchen counter....with the water running out the sink and the exhaust blowing out the stove down-vent. Well, it looked good in my head but ended up being a little over-complicated.

 

[wpc691]

After spending $6k on a new Dometic, I'm just going to run that on the dehumidify setting until the warranty runs out. Then, I'll get a dehumidifier like yours.

I bought one of those portable a/c units and was going to set it on the kitchen counter....with the water running out the sink and the exhaust blowing out the stove down-vent. Well, it looked good in my head but ended up being a little over-complicated.

Yep, that works, but I got tired of acid cleaning the strainer basket; 85 degree brackish water running through a strainer 24/7 is a barnacle nursery.

 

[JuiceClark]

Yep, that works, but I got tired of acid cleaning the strainer basket; 85 degree brackish water running through a strainer 24/7 is a barnacle nursery.

Damn, I need to add that task to my maintenance list. Mine isn't very conveniently located, either.

I might start looking at dehumidifiers pretty soon.