Yacht Cleaning: 9 Essential Starter Kit Products You Need Onboard

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This is the first part of a new blog series titled Yacht Cleaning. Made up of 6 posts over the next 6 weeks. It has been designed to encompass 6 main points regarding yacht cleaning. Keep checking in every Thursday to read the next post!

Keeping your yacht looking pristine isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s a core part of preventive maintenance. A clean vessel helps you spot early signs of corrosion, wear, and mechanical issues long before they turn into costly repairs. Whether you’re running a small cruiser or a full-size motor yacht, having good yacht cleaning products onboard ensures you can tackle salt, grime, mildew, and general build-up quickly and effectively.

Below are the yacht maintenance hubs 9 Essential Starter Kit Products You Need Onboard.

This post is all about Yacht Cleaning Products!

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The 9 Essential Starter Kit Products You Need Onboard

Below you’ll find a detailed breakdown for each product, including:
– Rating out of 5
– Pros & cons
– How to mix and apply
– Safety tips
– What to use it on (and what to avoid)
– Recommended product combinations
– Material Safety Data Sheet

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1. Simple Green – All-Purpose Marine Cleaner

⭐ Rating: 4.3 / 5

Good Points

• Very versatile — works on vinyl, fiberglass, decks, and interior surfaces.
• Gentle, non-caustic, and won’t strip wax when diluted properly.
• Ideal for quick cleaning and wiping out lockers onboard.

Bad Points

• It can struggle against tougher marks and stains on different surfaces.
• If left and not wiped or rinsed it can leave a film or become tacky.

How to Mix & Use

• Light cleaning: 1/15 with fresh water.
• Heavy cleaning: 1:5 with fresh water.
• Apply using a soft brush, microfiber mitt, or spray bottle or rag.
• Let it sit briefly, agitate lightly, and rinse thoroughly.
• If wiping out lockers can be used neat but needs to wiped thoroughly.

Safety Tips

• Wear gloves.
• Avoid getting it in your eyes — use glasses if spraying overhead.
• Store out of direct sun to maintain product effectiveness.

Best Combinations

• Use with vinegar to kill bacteria and remover oil.
• If your yacht has a lot of marks or oil on the paint, a boat soap and simple green mix can work well.

Use On

• Vinyl, painted surfaces, fiberglass, rubber, stainless, plastics.
• Can be used to remove oil from teak when diluted and rinsed thoroughly.

Avoid On

• Interior coatings and finishes.
• Waxed surfaces when used heavy-strength.
• Oiled or sealed teak.

Links:

Simple Green Product

Material Saftey Data Sheet

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2. Starbrite Mildew Stain Remover – Mold & Mildew Cleaner

⭐ Rating: 4.2 / 5

Good Points

• Excellent at removing black and green mildew spots from vinyl, hard surfaces and covers
• Works fast — usually within minutes.
• Great for covers, lockers, and shady areas.

Bad Points

• Can fade colors if overused.
• Not ideal for painted surfaces. Can be diluted down to reduce damage over time.

How to Mix & Use

• Most mildew removers are used undiluted.
• Spray, let sit for a few minutes, lightly scrub with a soft or medium bristle brush depending on surface. Make sure to let it sit on the fabric or surface to do its job. Rinse, and dry fully.
• Avoid overspray onto fabrics you don’t want treated.

Safety Tips

• Use gloves and glasses to avoid the mist.
• Avoid inhaling mist — use outdoors or with ventilation.
• Rinse skin immediately if contacted.

Best Combinations

• Use Simple Green before mildew remover to remove surface grime.
• Apply a vinyl or waterproofing sealer after the mildew remover.

Use On

• Vinyl cushions, hard plastics, rubber seals, lockers, and covers.

Avoid On

• Clear vinyl (isinglass).
• Polished metals.
• Any dyed fabrics.

Links:

Starbrite Mildew Stain Remover

Material Safety Data Sheet

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3. Whink Rust Remover – Rust & Metal Stain Cleaner

⭐ Rating: 4.8 / 5

Good Points

• One of the strongest rust removers available.
• Removes rust drips, fly rust and staining.
• Works with minimal scrubbing.

Bad Points

• Very strong — must be used carefully.
• Can damage coatings if left on too long.
• Requires protective gear.

How to Mix & Use

• Typically used straight from the bottle.
• Apply a few drops to the effected area, wait briefly, scrub with a brush if needed, then rinse.
• Do not let it dry on the surface.

Safety Tips

• Wear gloves and eye protection.
• Avoid contact with skin — it can irritate quickly.

Best Combinations

• Best to apply during a washdown this away you can ensure that all product can be safely removed.
• After removing rust, follow with polish or wax.

Use On

• Rust spots on fiberglass, stainless fittings (carefully), deck hardware, paint or nonskid.

Avoid On

• Bare aluminum.
• Uncoated metals.
• Painted surfaces unless tested first.

Links:

Whink Rust Stain Remover

Materiel Safety Data Sheet

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4. Starbrite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner – For Non-Skid Surfaces

⭐ Rating: 4.6 / 5

Good Points

• Designed for textured decks that trap dirt and mildew.
• Restores color & texture without leaving residue.
• Great for routine washdowns.
• Leaves a polymer coating behind to protect the nonskid paint.

Bad Points

• Should be rinsed thoroughly.
• Can dry very quickly. Should be worked in sections.

How to Mix & Use

• Mix 1:10 with water.
• Apply directly to the non-skid, scrub with a deck brush.
• Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Safety Tips

• Avoid getting it on polished metal. (may dull shine).
• Wear shoes while cleaning to avoid slipping.
• Rinse thoroughly — standing residue can be slippery later.

Best Combinations

• Can be mixed with a boat soap during a washdown of the non-skid areas.

Use On

• Non-skid decks, swim platforms, steps, textured surfaces.

Avoid On

• Smooth gelcoat
• Polished paint
• Chrome or stainless

Links:

Starbrite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner

Material Safety Data Sheet

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5. Vinegar (White Distilled Vinegar) – Spot, Glass Cleaner, Salt Cleaner

⭐ Rating: 4.7 / 5

Good Points

• Great for removing water spots and salt film.
• Safe, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly.
• Ideal for glass, metal, and general rinse-down.

Bad Points

• Not effective on grease or heavy grime.
• Strong smell that fades as it dries.
• If used regularly on paint or gelcoat it can eat away at it.

How to Mix & Use

• Glass cleaning: 50/50 vinegar + water.
• Metal spot removal: 70/30 vinegar + water.
• Spray, wipe with microfiber, rinse if needed.

Safety Tips

• Avoid contact with eyes.
• Keep away from full-strength contact with sensitive metals.

Best Combinations

• After a washdown with Awlwash, vinegar removes leftover spots.

Use On

• Glass, stainless, chrome, aluminum (light use), plastic covers.

Avoid On

• Raw steel
• Marble/stone
• Electronics

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6. Star Clean Polish – Stainless Steel & Metal Polish

⭐ Rating: 4.9 / 5

Good Points

• Restores shine on marine grade stainless and metals.
• Good for rusty or water marked stainless.
• Can be used as part of a routine washdown.
• Leaves a protective layer.

Bad Points

• Heavily rusted metals will need prior treatment.
• Can dry quickly if used in direct sunlight.

How to Mix & Use

• Use straight out of the tube.
• Apply with a foam applicator pad or rag.
• Buff on and off by hand on the stainless required.

Safety Tips

• Wear disposable gloves.
• Keep off hot surfaces to prevent streaking.

Best Combinations

• Wash with Awlwash → polish with Star Clean → protect with wax or sealant.
• Use vinegar spray first to remove water spots before polishing.

Use On

• Marine grade stainless railings and fittings.

Avoid On

• Non-skid
• Matte finishes
• Paint

Links:

Star Clean One Step Metal Treatment

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7. Awlwash Boat Wash – Premium Marine Soap

⭐ Rating: 4.8 / 5

Good Points

• Extremely gentle on paint, wax, and coatings. Paint should be lasting longer if using this.
• Designed for high-end marine finishes like Awlgrip.
• Rinses clean without streaks.

Bad Points

• Not a heavy-duty degreaser.
• More expensive than general boat soaps.

How to Mix & Use

• Mix 50-100ml per 5 gallon bucket of water.
• Use a soft brush or microfiber wash mitt.
• Rinse before soap dries on the surface.
• Blade paint after rinsing.

Safety Tips

• Mild product, but gloves help with frequent use.
• Avoid getting it in your eyes.
• Keep the deck wet to prevent slip hazards.

Best Combinations

• If yacht is salty and dirty a mix of awlwash and vinegar can help cut through grime and salt build up.
• Use Star Clean during your washdown in combination with this to give bes results on stainless.

Use On

• Paint, gelcoat, vinyl, non-skid, metal fittings & windows.

Avoid On

• Heavy grease
• Engine parts
• Raw teak

Links:

Awlwash Boat Soap

Material Safety Data Sheet

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8. Eco 100 Teak Cleaner – Eco-Safe Teak Brightener

⭐ Rating: 4.4 / 5

Good Points

• Gentle, non-acidic cleaner safe for regular teak care.
• Won’t damage caulking or seams.
• Brightens teak naturally without harsh chemicals.

Bad Points

• Not strong enough for extremely grey, neglected teak.
• Requires scrubbing for best results.

How to Mix & Use

• Mix roughly at a ratio of 1/10 product to water.
• Wet teak thoroughly.
• Apply cleaner with a soft-bristle pad going against the grain.
• Rinse well and blade.

Safety Tips

• Gloves recommended for prolonged use.
• Rinse decks thoroughly — wet teak can be slippery.

Best Combinations

• Follow with teak brightener for an even lighter finish.

Use On

• Teak decks, hand & capping rails.

Avoid On

• Painted surfaces
• Synthetic teak
• Interior wooden trim

Links:

Eco-100 Teak Cleaner

Material Safety Data Sheet

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9. Starbrite Black Streak Remover – Dark Stain Cleaner

⭐ Rating: 4.3 / 5

Good Points

• Fast and effective on black streaks caused by rain, cleaning run off on hulls and exhaust fumes.
• Requires little scrubbing.
• Good for more stubborn marks.

Bad Points

• Product is strong — can dull wax if left too long.
• Better for one off cleaning shouldn’t be used excessively on paint or gel coat.

How to Mix & Use

• Usually used undiluted.
• Spray on streak, wait 30–60 seconds, wipe with microfiber.
• Rinse with fresh water.

Safety Tips

• Wear gloves.
• Avoid breathing spray mist.
• Do not let it sit too long on surfaces.

Best Combinations

• Use in a washdown to ensure product is washed off safely.
• Follow with wax if cleaning a painted surface.

Use On

• Gelcoat, plastic and paints.

Avoid On

• Waxed Surfaces
• Teak

Links:

Starbrite Black Streak Remover

Material Safety Data Sheet

Overall, these products will give you a great product starter kit to have onboard your yacht. Wether your on a smaller ski boat or a bigger motor yacht these products will get you through most cleaning situations.

This is the first part of a new blog series titled Yacht Cleaning. Made up of 6 posts over the next 6 weeks. It has been designed to encompass 6 main points regarding yacht cleaning. Keep checking in every Thursday to read the next post!