Sponges and Wash Mitts

Sponges and Wash Mitts Resources and Information

PartsVu is thrilled to carry a variety of sponges and wash mitts from leading marine cleaning product manufacturers, including Shurhold, Star-brite, Captain's Choice, Attwood Marine, and others. Use these essential boat maintenance tools to keep your boat’s surfaces clean and free of buildup, mildew, dirt, and grime.

Looking for more boating and marine products? Check out our complete selection of Products and Accessories or Cleaning and Care products. Or browse our broader category of Boat Soaps, Washes & Brushes.

Sponges and Wash Mitts FAQs

How often should I clean my boat?

You should clean your boat every 4 – 12 weeks to protect your boat’s surfaces. Buildup of salt and dirt interferes with a metal’s ability to resist corrosion. Additionally, Gelcoat and marine vinyl are porous surfaces, thus have characteristics that allow them to absorb water, dirt, and grime from their surroundings. Unprotected vinyl seats are more likely to develop mold and more likely to fade and crack with frequent sun exposure. Lastly, fiberglass that is uncared for will stain and discolor more easily over time, notwithstanding simply degrade through oxidation and literally chalk away.

However, you may need to clean more often due to a number of factors:

• Geographical location
• Water temperature
• Water salinity
• Usage (frequency and duration)
• Boat speed

Boats that are used heavily at high speeds will experience less fouling of the hull, whereas boats that sit in the dock will accumulate more than a boat that is used frequently.

The hull of your boat is under constant exposure to the elements. Given enough time, water and sunlight can degrade the gel coat of your hull and other exposed material, leading to corrosion and browning.

Luckily, regular cleaning can protect and restore your hull. While many boating enthusiasts recommend a mixture of dish soap with warm water for regular boat cleaning, there are a number of drawbacks to this method (see tip #9 below). Also, avoid using any abrasive cleaners, such as bleach or ammonia, which can weaken the hull or cause dangerous chemical reactions.

For the best results, use boat products specific to your hull material and coat – including cleaners, protectants, and degreasers. By following the directions of each product to clean according to mixture recommendations, you can make sure your hull gleams out on the water.

How do I clean my boat to the best results?

One of the most common questions boaters ask is: What is the best thing to clean a boat with?

The truth is that there are a number of surfaces and materials on your boat that all require their own cleaning products and tools. Regular washing with freshwater is always advised after you take it on the water, before and after winterization, and when it has been sitting for a while (especially if it’s been sitting under foliage).

To ensure that you have every cleaning product and tool on hand before cleaning your boat, purchase PartsVu’s Deluxe Boat Cleaning Supplies Kit. Designed for all of your deep boat cleaning needs, the kit includes items from top brands, such as Star-Brite, 3M, Buffalo Industries, Meguiar’s, and The Absorber Mini. Here’s what’s included:

• Star-Brite Boat Wash – 16oz
• Star-Brite Reggae Sponge
• Buffalo Microfiber Detail Towel – 20″x20″
• 3M – Perfect-It – Boat Wax – 16oz
• Buffalo Microfiber Wax Applicator Pads – 4 Pack
• Star-Brite – 2-Piece Wooden Handle Hnadle With 8″ Standard Brush
• The Absorber Mini – 13″x17″
• 3M Marine Finesse-it™ II Glaze – 16oz
• Star-Brite Vinyl Cleaner & Polish – 16oz
• Meguiar’s #59 Quik Wax – 16oz
• Star-Brite Mildew Stain Remover – 22oz
• Star-Brite Heavy Duty Bilge Cleaner – 32oz

What are the best tools for cleaning my boat?

Gilmour Marine & Recreation Hose

Hosing down your boat is a simple but necessary task, as it rinses away harmful residue. This specific hose is powerful with high burst strength and easy to coil with kink resistance. It has a durable exterior that won’t mar your boat surfaces. The hose is ideal for use while boating or around the dock. It also meets FDA standards so zero impurities are imparted to the water.

Gilmour Plastic Nozzle

This high-quality nozzle easily attaches to the Gilmour Marine & Recreation Hose. It’s specifically designed for marine use, as it resists corrosion caused by saltwater. The durable polymer body on this nozzle includes an internal spring mechanism, making cleaning your boat safe and easy.

PVA Towel

Star Brite’s 27″ X 17″ PVA towel is a must-have for all boaters. It absorbs 50% more than natural chamois making it an excellent tool to try key areas of your boat before turning in for the day. It’s highly resistant to mold and doesn’t leave behind any lint residue or streaks when drying off your boat. It’s also conveniently machine washable.

Star Brite White Cotton Diaper Polishing Cloths

Super soft and absorbent for special cleaning jobs. 17″ X 17.5″ 100% pure cotton diapers are the best cloth for polishing.

Reggae Sponge (or Mitt)

Both of these products are made of microfiber that is highly absorbent yet soft, so you can be sure it won’t scratch your gel coat or painted surfaces. You can use either the sponge or mitt wet for washing, or dry for dusting. The sponge has a special scrubbing side that quickly removes tough stains and scum lines. Both products are machine washable.

Star Brite Microfiber Reggae Sponge (or Mitt)

Both of these products are made of microfiber that is highly absorbent yet soft, so you can be sure it won’t scratch your gelcoat or painted surfaces. You can use either the sponge or mitt wet for washing, or dry for dusting. The sponge has a special scrubbing side that quickly removes tough stains and scum lines. Both products are machine washable.

Microfiber Cleaning/Detailer Cloths

These premium cloths are made of non-scratching microfibers that are ultra-absorbent and super gentle on almost all surfaces. The ultra-fine fibers act like dirt magnets to all coated and non-coated finishes, fiberglass, windows, polished and plated metals, brass, and electronics. Put away that old t-shirt or dish rag and grab a microfiber cleaning cloth. These cloths are reusable and machine washable.

Shurhold 6’ Telescoping Handle

Easily reach any surface with this durable, six-foot-long handle. With the SHUR-LOK quick release system, this handle can be locked at any of four different lengths from 40-72 inches. This product makes cleaning easy and hassle-free. There are also over 30 different attachments from Shurhold that fit this telescoping handle, including brushes, squeegees, and mops.

How does a boat cleaner or boat soap help to protect my boat?

Buildup of salt and dirt interferes with a metal’s ability to resist corrosion. Gelcoat and marine vinyl are porous surfaces, meaning they have the ability to absorb water, dirt, and grime from their surroundings. Unprotected vinyl seats are more likely to develop mold and more likely to fade and crack with frequent sun exposure. Lastly, fiberglass that is uncared for will stain and discolor more easily over time, notwithstanding simply degrade through oxidation and literally chalk away.

These are all reasons why cleaning your boat’s many surfaces is the single most important step in protecting them. It’s important to understand that there are different types of cleaning solutions for different parts of your boat. It’s a dangerous belief that household bleaches and cleaners are OK to use on your boat; they might appear to do the trick at first, but in the long run they could end up causing unwanted deterioration.

To make protecting your boat a lot easier, PartsVu has assembled a list of recommended boat cleaner products from leading brands like StarBrite, 303 Products, 3M, Meguiar’s, and more.