Published: November 6, 2024
Q: I recently read an article in a Sail Magazine about cleaning stainless steel. I am familiar with Alconox from my job. Should your detergents be better than citric acid and water?
A: In short yes! Sailboat maintenance and cleaning is indeed a critical cleaning activity! For example, Citranox® Liquid Acid Cleaner and Detergent has a significantly lower surface tension than water and citric acid it will be much better at cleaning out the oxidation and inorganics from little nooks and crannies on boat parts, and also lift and clean better. The free-rinsing nature ensures no residues are left behind. The low surface tension is particularly important to clean out oxidation on stainless steel parts that may form in small crevices and could otherwise accelerate the process of crevice corrosion, which, when not treated in time, can lead to costly failures of stainless steel buckles and other parts on a boat. Furthermore, Citranox is not harmful to fiberglass (or other commonly found materials on boats, such as wood, aluminum or bronze) and can fully be rinsed off post use – ideally with fresh water – to allow for sparkling clean stainless steel parts that can afterwards easily be inspected for potential issues and signs of material fatigue that otherwise could be hidden under layers of corrosion and dirt.
Tergazyme® Enzyme-Active Powdered Detergent can be a great option for removal of bioorganic and proteinaceous residue in bilges and pumps which could otherwise cause lingering odors. Tergazyme has been proven to work well for removal of biofilms and will thus ensure that potential contamination and odors do not return within a short time, which can be an issue with non-enzymatic cleaners. Again the free rinsing nature and the compatibility with fiberglass (and other previously listed materials found on boats) ensures that no residues are left behind or that any material is harmed in the process of cleaning.
Citranox also excels at removing salt buildup from engine parts such as heat exchangers, or the inside of raw water pumps that could otherwise fail due to clogging. Similarly Tergazyme can be used in those cases when biological fouling caused by, for instance, algae has to be removed.
Related Products
Citranox is a phosphate free, concentrated cleaner and metal brightener for high performance removal of metal oxides, scale, salts and inorganic residues in manual and ultrasonic cleaning. Corrosion inhibited and free rinsing for reliable results and no interfering residues. Ideal for trace metal analysis. USDA authorized. Dilute 2:100. pH 2.5
Tergazyme is a concentrated, anionic detergent with protease enzyme for manual and ultrasonic cleaning. Excellent for removal of proteinaceous soils, tissue, blood and body fluids from glassware, metals, plastic, ceramic, porcelain, rubber and fiberglass with no interfering residues. Ideal as a cleaning agent in Reverse Osmosis and Ultra-Filtration Systems. USDA authorized. Dilute: 1:100. pH 9.5
Citrajet is a low foaming, phosphate-free, concentrated, liquid cleaner and metal brightener for high peformance removal of metal oxides, scales, salts and inorganic residues in labware washers, parts washers, power-spray systems and manual and ultrasonic cleaning. Corrosion inhibited and free rinsing leaving no interfering residues. Ideal for acid washing and rinsing. Dilute 2:100 pH 2.5
Alcojet – Low Foaming Powdered Detergent: Nonionic, low foaming powder cleaner for use in labware washers, parts washers, power-spray systems, manual and ultrasonic cleaning. Free rinsing for reliable results and no interfering residues. USDA authorized. Dilute 1:200. pH 11.5.
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