Knowing how to clean marine vinyl flooring mostly comes down to keeping it simple: mild soap, a soft brush and plenty of rinse water. The steps below follow MariDeck’s own care and maintenance recommendations, so they also help keep your MariDeck vinyl boat flooring within its warranty.
Routine cleaning
Wash the floor now and then during the season, and always give it a good cleaning before you put the boat away for the off-season.
- Hose off loose dirt, sand and debris.
- Mix a mild liquid dish detergent, such as Dawn, with warm water.
- Scrub with a soft-bristle deck brush. MariDeck specifies a soft brush, not a stiff one.
- Rinse the floor thoroughly so no soap is left behind.
Ground-in dirt, mildew and minor stains
A citrus-based cleaner, such as Orange Glo or Citrus Magic, is safe to use on MariDeck flooring for ground-in dirt, mildew and minor stains.
An eco-friendly option
Simple Green is also safe on MariDeck. Spray the area, let it soak for about 10 minutes, then wipe it clean with a paper towel. Hose it off afterward if needed.
Tougher stains
Start with Spray Nine, a non-bleaching cleaner. If that doesn’t work, you can try Tilex or CLR, but both contain bleaching agents, so:
- Don’t let them sit on the vinyl for long.
- Rinse the area thoroughly right afterward.
- Use them only when you need to. Left on the floor, they can discolor the vinyl or remove its printed color completely.
Test first and keep it short
Read each cleaner’s directions before you use it. Test anything stronger than soap and water on a hidden spot of the floor before you use it where it shows, and keep the time any cleaner sits on the vinyl as short as you can.
Care that protects your warranty
MariDeck flooring carries a two-year limited warranty from the manufacturer. It covers a floor that was installed to MariDeck’s instructions and given reasonable care and maintenance. It does not cover stains, scuffs, damage from ice or snow removal, or normal wear such as fading and abrasion. Exposing the floor to chemicals that aren’t compatible with it can void the warranty, so if you’re unsure about a product, check before you use it.
Read the MariDeck warranty (PDF)
Cleaning DuraVinyl flooring
The steps above are MariDeck’s recommendations. DuraVinyl woven vinyl flooring has its own care guidance from its manufacturer:
- Vacuum or hose it off weekly, so dirt does not become embedded.
- For a light cleaning, use water with a mild soap, such as dishwashing liquid, and a soft-bristle brush. Then rinse thoroughly and let it air dry.
- For stubborn stains or mildew, mix 1 cup of bleach and ¼ cup of mild soap per gallon of clean water. Blot the stain, rinse thoroughly and let it air dry. However, the manufacturer does not advise using bleach when you are surrounded by a body of water.
- Do not power wash, and avoid powdered abrasives, solvents and industrial-strength cleaners, because they can harm the surface and void the warranty.
Not sure about a cleaner?
If you’re unsure whether a product is safe on vinyl, ask the cleaner’s manufacturer, or call us at 888-283-0704. Planning a new floor? See our pontoon vinyl flooring guide and how to measure a pontoon deck.
