How to Clean A Kayak

• Firstly, Banish the Debris: Armed with a trusty hose, liberate your kayak from clinging debris. Let the cleansing cascade of water free your vessel from the remnants of your aquatic escapades.
• Prepare the Soapy Sanctuary: Equip yourself with a bucket of water, and let’s concoct a soapy potion. Mix soap into the water, creating a frothy elixir that will become the cleansing agent for your kayak’s next spa day.
• Sponge Symphony: Now, armed with the soapy solution and a sponge, orchestrate a symphony of cleanliness. Allow the sponge to dance across your kayak’s surface, bidding farewell to the marks and memories of its recent adventures.
• Rinse and Bask: With the cleansing ritual complete, it’s time for a refreshing rinse. Let clean water cascade over your kayak, washing away the remnants of the cleaning ballet. Then, let your kayak bask in the open air, embracing the drying process with a sunlit glow.
• Conquer Stubborn Stains: For those persistent blemishes – be it stubborn stains or an unwelcome bird dropping – bring in the stain remover. Wage war against these foes, ensuring your kayak emerges victorious in its quest for spotless perfection.
• Wax and Polish Flourish: Once your kayak wears the badge of cleanliness with pride, it’s time to pamper it further. Apply wax generously, ensuring an even spread. Conclude this cleansing symphony with a polish, letting your kayak gleam with a renewed luster.

• Water/Hose: The lifeblood of your cleansing voyage, a simple yet powerful hose. Let the water flow, liberating your kayak from the tales of its watery exploits.
• Terry and Microfiber for Waxing: Meet your waxing artisans – Terry and Microfiber. These fabric virtuosos will lend their gentle touch to the art of waxing, ensuring your kayak dons a protective sheen worthy of the open seas.
• Latex Gloves: Your hands, shielded in the embrace of latex gloves, become the maestros orchestrating the cleaning symphony. Protection for you, care for your kayak.
• Washing Soap: A pivotal character in this cleansing saga, the washing soap. A concoction that transforms water into a purifying elixir, ready to cleanse and rejuvenate.
• Cleaner Wax (if Required): For those stubborn adversaries clinging to your kayak’s surface, the cleaner wax steps onto the stage. If stains persist, this hero takes center spotlight, ensuring a spotless victory for your vessel.

1. Harness the Power of H2O: Unleash the might of your garden hose, cascading over your kayak to offer a rejuvenating rinse. Feel the water’s embrace as it liberates your vessel from the grasp of dirt, a dance between liquid and kayak.
2. Craft a Soapy Symphony: Now, orchestrate a soapy symphony in your water bucket. Fill it with clean water and introduce a touch of boat wash or soap. Follow the dance of instructions on the bottle, ensuring your concoction is a cleansing elixir tailored for your kayak’s needs.
3. Sponge Serenade: Immerse your sponge in the soapy serenade, and let it dance across your kayak’s surface. Bid farewell to the stories etched in stubborn stains, ensuring both sides of your vessel revel in the cleansing ritual.
4. Rinse, the Watery Waltz: With the soapy ballet complete, lead your kayak in a watery waltz. Rinse off the suds with clean water, choosing the elegant air-dry waltz or the gentle towel tango.
5. Wax, a Kayak Glamour: It’s time to adorn your kayak with the glamour of wax. Whether through the caress of a microfiber cloth or the spritz of a spray, let the wax take center stage. A damp cloth follows, a partner in the dance of protection.
6. Air-Dry Encore: After the waxing spectacle, grant your kayak an air-dry encore. Let it bask in the applause of thorough care, ensuring the wax sets in with a gleaming finale.
7. Polish, a Microfiber Finale: As the wax curtain falls, usher in the microfiber finale. Polish your kayak’s hull, each stroke a declaration of the care bestowed upon it.
8. UV Protectant Shield: Bestow an extra layer of armor upon your kayak by spraying it with a UV protectant. A shield against the sun’s relentless rays, ensuring your vessel remains resilient against time.
9. Cloth Buff, a Final Flourish: Conclude this cleansing symphony with a final flourish – a clean, dry cloth buffing over your kayak. Watch as it gleams, ready for the next aquatic odyssey, a testament to the art of kayak care.

• It improves the hull’s durability and extends its lifespan.
• Waxing also protects your kayak from harmful Ultraviolet rays.
• Serving as a protectant, protect the hull from scratches and dents.
• It also improves the color and shine of the hull, especially if you have a painted kayak.

· Inspect the Hull

Storing your kayak for extended periods can cause hull damage. If the hull of your kayak is depressed, you can use heat to return the hull to its original shape. You can leave your kayak for a day in the sun. It will help pop the hull back to its original shape.

· Inspect Hardware and Bungees

When taking your kayak out after an extended storage period, please ensure its hardware, bungees, and perimeter lines are fine. This is because Ultraviolet radiation can degrade bungees and deteriorate plastic pad-eyes. Check the rudder to evaluate stainless steel cables, deployment lines, and pedals.

· Inspect Old Parts and Accessories

The perfect moment to get rid of old parts and accessories is when you take your kayak out of storage. Please look at your gear and consider what bothered you during your last adventure. If anything needs replacement, this is the time to retire old equipment.

· Get a Cart for Your Kayak

Dragging your kayak on the surface will damage and weaken the bottom of your kayak. Eventually, it will lead to holes that will cost you a significant amount to repair by a professional. Having a kayak cart is excellent as it will keep your kayak safe and easy to get to and from the water.

· Keep Your Kayak Clean

You don’t necessarily need to keep your kayak looking shiny and new. However, spraying your kayak after every trip is a good practice. It will help remove any grime and salt that can prevent corrosion and mold.

· Protect from the Sun

Exposing your kayak to the sun for long periods can cause cracks, fade color, and weaken the plastic. Leaving your kayak outdoors for a few days is fine, but you should avoid going there for months as it can cause deterioration. You can protect your kayak from UV rays by using a protective spray.

· Cover Your Kayak

Investing in a kayak cover is wise because it will protect your kayak from the sun and other elements. Moreover, it will also help keep your kayak clean and dry from the inside. You can also find cockpit covers on the market to protect the interior of your kayak.

• Do not leave your kayak exposed to the sun for extended periods. Kayaks are more susceptible to sun damage if exposed for too long.
• When transporting, be careful and do not leave your kayak on your vehicle’s rooftop or trailer for extended periods.
• If you don’t have space indoors to store your kayak, make sure to keep your kayak away from direct sunlight. Also, try to find a weather-controlled spot. However, if a controlled environment is absent, store your kayak on its side or upside down.
• Consider the temperature of the place you are storing your kayak. Ensure the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing or jump above 100 F.

1. How often should I clean my kayak?

Routine cleaning after each use is beneficial to prevent the buildup of debris, salt, and potential damage. However, a more thorough cleaning, including waxing, is recommended a few times a season or as needed based on your kayaking frequency and environmental conditions.

2. Can I use any soap for cleaning my kayak, or is there a specific type I should use?

While mild, biodegradable soaps are generally suitable for cleaning kayaks, it’s essential to avoid harsh chemicals that can harm the environment and your kayak’s material. Always opt for soaps explicitly designed for boat or kayak cleaning to ensure proper care without causing damage.

3. Is waxing necessary for plastic-hulled kayaks, and how often should it be done?

While plastic-hulled kayaks don’t necessarily require waxing, applying wax can offer additional protection and improve the kayak’s appearance. Waxing a few times a year or as needed, based on your kayak’s exposure to the elements, can help maintain its durability and resist environmental wear and tear.