If there is sufficient holding tank capacity, plumb your gray water along with the black water. On the other hand, if a small tank means discharging the sink and shower outflow directly overboard, then it becomes critical to control everything used on the boat that might find its way down one of the drains. Begin with a comprehensive review of the onboard cleaning supplies and toiletries.
Interior Cleaning Supplies
Consider dispensing with toxic, commercial cleaning agents for the boat’s interior. Generally, the galley will yield sufficient “natural” cleaning supplies to keep the space below fresh and sparkling – and those enclosed spaces make aggressive cleaning agents feel even more powerful. Put together an interior cleaning kit with just baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, salt, borax, vanilla, gentle dishwashing detergents, a commercial natural cleaner, a couple of spray bottles, and for those really tough jobs maybe a little Bon Ami.
1. Use a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water for the freezer and refrigerator and then put an opened box of baking soda inside each. To keep the freezer fresh, wipe it down with a little vanilla sprinkled on a cloth. A gentler 25/75 vinegar/water solution will shine up almost any galley surface. Don’t forget a final rinse with clear water.
2. Baking soda and water will clean just about everything else. To make a scouring powder add salt. For a stronger paste, just let it sit. Or for a foaming, stain remover, drizzle vinegar on top of the baking soda/water mixture.
3. If do-it-yourself isn’t your thing, then there are a plethora of natural, non-toxic cleaning agents available from reliable manufacturers like Seventh Generation, Method Home, Mrs. Meyers and make sure anything you buy is phosphate and chlorine free. A really good choice for always storage-challenged vessels is Shaklee’s Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate – just 16 oz. makes 48 gallons of a non-toxic, biodegradable works-for-everything agent. It also comes in impregnated biodegradable wipes.
4. Choose gentle dishwashing detergents that are also free of phosphates, chlorine, dyes and perfumes. Some use grapefruit or aloe extracts. (Sources include Bi-O-Kleen, Seventh Generation, Ecover or Life Tree).
5. The best scent is no scent – but that is hard to manage on a boat. So, look for natural deodorizers that use essential oils to put in the cabins and the heads. Natural air fresheners like Ecco Bella Botanicals’ Lavender Mist or Aura Cacia’s Ginger mint keep the below deck spaces smelling fresh. And Prelam™ Magic Odor Neutralizer is an interesting option for neutralizing head smells.
Personal Toiletries
If your shower sump is pumping overboard, reconsider what you are washing with. There are now many gentle, environmentally-friendly personal care products on the market. Aubry Organics has been making natural soaps, shampoos and conditioners for 40 years. The shelves at Whole Foods are also lined with similarly safe, plant based products that are as good for us as they are for the environment.
very usefull info
Posted by: steef | September 22, 2009 at 09:43 AM