
How to clean an inflatable boat? Essential tips for caring for your inflatable boat
Step 1: Making the best cleaning product selection

Step 1: Making the best cleaning product selection
An inflatable boat is provided made up of inflatable side tubes, a connecting fabric floor, inflatable aft, midship and forward thwarts between and connecting the side tubes above the fabric floorSource: https://patents.google.com/
Star Brite
NRS Cleaner
MaryKate Cleaner
MDR Cleaner and UV Coating
Seapower Cleaner
Pennel & Flipo Cleaners
Spray Nine
DIY inflatable boat cleaners
Other common products:
- West Marine inflatable boat cleaner
- DR Amazon’s Inflatable Boat Cleaner
- Nautical Ease Cleaner
- Revival Ecological
NOT recommended boat cleaning products
- Ammonia
- Acetone and Methyl Ethyl Ketone (M.E.K.)
- Bleach or Chlorine
- Solvents, Toluene
- Steel Wool
- Brillo Pads
- Sandpaper or wire brushes
Step 2: Cleaning your inflatable boat

Step 2: Cleaning your inflatable boat
Once you’ve picked the right cleaning solution, you can start cleaning your inflatable boat.
Tools and Equipment:
- Protective eyewear and gloves (optional)
- Mild detergent
- Soft cloth or brush
- Bucket
- Water hose or pressure washer
- Sponge
- Towel
- 303 UV protectant
Instruction
Here are steps to cleaning an inflatable boat:
1. Start by preparing the area: Make sure it’s a well-ventilated area, and wear protective eyewear and gloves.
2. Gather the supplies: You will need a mild detergent, a soft cloth or brush, a bucket, a water hose or pressure washer, a sponge, and a towel.
3. Pre-rinse the boat: spray down the entire boat with clean water from your hose or pressure washer.
4. Apply detergent: Using a soft cloth or brush, mix some mild detergent with water in your bucket and apply it to the boat.
5. Scrub lightly: Use the sponge or soft brush to scrub away any dirt, stains, and algae from the surface.
6. Rinse the boat: Use a water hose or pressure washer to rinse away all of the detergent and any remaining dirt.
7. Dry the boat. Towel dry your boat to make sure it is completely dry before putting it away.
8. Protect: Apply 303 UV protectant to help protect your boat from sun damage and fading.
Following these steps will not only keep your boat looking its best, but it will also assist in preserving the life of your boat. If you clean and take care of your inflatable boat on a regular basis, it will last for many years.
Essential tips for caring for your inflatable boat

Essential tips for caring for your inflatable boat
Protect from sun damage
The sun can cause fading, cracking, and other damage to your inflatable boat’s exterior. To prevent this from happening, store your boat in a shaded area and cover it with a tarp when not in use. Additionally, you may want to apply UV protectant to the boat’s surface.
For this, use 303 UV Protectant. It does a great job of stopping UV damage. This protective coating for rubber surfaces protect against harmful UV rays. Besides, it also enhances the boats’ appearance. Furthermore, it’s not greasy and is easy to apply. Simply spray on and do not rinse with water!
Rinse after use
You should rinse the boat with a hose and repair any scratches immediately. Get rid of sunscreen oils as they can plasticize your boat’s fabric. Make sure your boat is clean of sand, dirt, oil, and sea salt after use.
Inflatable boat mold and mildew removal methods
Mold and mildew can be a big problem for inflatable boats. To get rid of it, you can use a mixture of water and bleach or mild soap and water. Using a brush, scrub the affected areas with a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar. You can also use a mold and mildew cleaner made for sale. When finished, rinse the boat thoroughly with a garden hose and allow it to dry completely before storage. Knowing how long do zodiac boats last is also a way to help you can expand the lifespan of your boat.
How to dry your inflatable boat

How to dry your inflatable boat
Once you have finished cleaning your inflatable boat, it is important to ensure that it is properly dried before storing it. This will help prevent mildew and other potential damage to the boat. Here are some steps you can take to properly dry your inflatable boat:
1. Flip it over and drain the water.
2. Use a soft, clean cloth to soak up any excess moisture from the boat’s surface.
3. Grab a second towel and mop up the water that has accumulated between the floor and the side tubes. In these concealed spaces, mold is easily propagated.
Guidelines for storing the inflatable boat correctly

Guidelines for storing the inflatable boat correctly
Before you store your inflatable boat, it’s important to properly clean and dry the surface of the vessel. Here are some guidelines for storing the inflatable boat correctly:
1. Fold the inflatable in half and roll it up, letting all the air out. This will help avoid friction on the material.
2. Securely store the inflatable in a dry, climate-controlled space. If you are storing the boat outdoors, make sure to purchase a waterproof cover designed specifically for your model.
3. Bungee cords or straps can be used to keep the folded inflatable from shifting and coming apart.
4. Store the deflation and inflation pumps and accessories separately in a dry place to avoid rusting.
5. Make sure you include moisture absorbers in your dinghy for extended periods of storage.
6. Safeguard your dinghy from humidity and the chill of winter by utilizing silica gel or homemade desiccants. It can make sure your inflatable boat stays perfectly dry.
If you want to use again, this is a complete guide about how to inflate a zodiac boat. With simple and detailed steps, you can know assemble them quickly and easily!
FAQs How to clean an inflatable boat?
Do inflatables lose air under sunlight?
As your inflatable is exposed to the sun’s heat, the air inside will expand. Despite that, if you leave your float in the open air overnight, it will instead inflate and be completely deflated by morning.
Are inflatable boats a good investment?
Inflatable boats are cheap and have great performance and dependability that you won’t find in other types of boats.
What is the lifespan of the inflatable boat?
High-quality, well-maintained inflatables have a lifespan of 5–10 years. Their range depends on their use and maintenance. UV degradation still affects the inflatable material, even after the PVC has improved.
Is it possible to leave an inflatable boat inflated?
Believe it or not, the best way to keep your inflatable boat in optimal condition is by storing it inflated. It may seem like an extra hassle that takes up more space than necessary; however, this simple act can protect your vessel from various damages. For instance, if you store the tubing deflated, there is a greater chance of piercing and tearing due to sharp objects inside the storage area.
Conclusion
In short, how to clean an inflatable boat? It is essential to perform regular maintenance on an inflatable boat to keep it in optimal condition. By following those simple instructions, you can be certain that your craft will last for many years. We hope our guide on how to clean an inflatable boat has been helpful and has provided some useful tips for when you clean yours next. We at justaddwaterbda.com hope you have gained lots of valuable knowledge on how to clean Zodiac inflatable boats. Until next time, enjoy your adventures out on the water!