Confined areas like boat cabins are prone to mold and mildew if left without adequate air circulation.

The best way to fight mold and mildew onboard is to keep it from ever starting in the first place.

Prevention is your best defense. We have compiled a list of things you can do when storing your boat or closing it up for an extended time. These few simple steps will help prevent mold and mildew from ever starting.

• Mildew thrives in humid, damp spaces, so keeping your cabin and lockers well ventilated is vital.
• Leave open all drawers, doors, and lockers to promote circulation. Prop up mattresses and cushions, or if possible remove them along with pfds, life jackets and wet weather gear. Charts, books, paper towels, etc.—should be stowed in air-tight bags or removed at this time too.
• Clean the galley, head, decks and walls surfaces in the boat using alcohol, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, a simple solution of detergent and water, baking soda, and tea tree oil. 
• Remove all food products from your boat before you store it.
• If covering the boat with a tarp, create ventilation between the tarp and the hull by hanging a few fenders between them.
• You need good air circulation and moisture control to keep mold and mildew away. At the dock, a dehumidifier, or even a light bulb positioned under a vent can help promote air circulation and moisture removal. Moisture-absorption packets like silica gel can also help and can be purchased inexpensively at marine chandleries.
• Nicro Day and Night solar-powered vents are another option. During the day, the solar panel charges a small Nicad battery to power the fan at night. This will give you 24-hour operation and continuous circulation.

Mold and mildew are a fact of boating on the West Coast but by following our helpful tips you can stop it from ever starting. We can’t change the environment but we can change how we deal with it.