Cleaning bilge?

[Lynx]

My black water tank ran over into the bilge. Now I can't get the oder out. Any suggestions?

[AdriftAtSea]

Try using an enzyme based cleaner that will get rid of the biological component of the mess in the bilge.  There is probably something developed for cleaning portable toilets that would do the job for you.  :)

Chlorine bleach works pretty well, but is rather corrosive to metal parts in the bilge.  :)

To get rid of the odor, after the bilge has been cleaned, put a couple of containers of wet used coffee grounds out around the boat.  Big open tupperware containers work best. You can get the grounds for free at most local coffee shops.  The coffee will absorb and neutralize most odors.

[Lynx]

I had read that laundry detergent will work like liquid Tide. Pour some in, add water and go for a sail. Empty and your all clean.

Anybody try this?

[Godot]

Might work.  Where do you empty it, though?  I think it is pretty much illegal to pump it overboard (so I'm told, anyhow).

[Lynx]

As long as your soap is biodegradable it is OK to dump overboard. Black water is not unless off shore. One could always collect it and dump down the nearest toilet.

[AdriftAtSea]

BTW, if you have any oil in your bilge, pumping it overboard is illegal, even if you mix it with detergent to get it to mix with water and not form a slick.

[Lynx]

No inboard so no oil. The bilge was empty but smelly. I put in about 2 teaspons of liquid laundry detergent and about 1 1/2 gal's of water and let it set overnight at the marina. Emptied the next day and dumped in a toilet. No smells. This works and is cheep.

[Norm]

We just had the very same issue. 

Our Y-valve had a broken handle.  Happily we bought an identical Y-valve and were able to replace the guts of the thing without trouble... beyond losing about a liter of black water into the bilge.

Averisera has very clean bilges.  That makes cleaning the bilge easy, to start with.  Second, we have a gallon of white vinegar on hand and use it freely.  Maybe an hour after starting the project, we were cleaned up and having a cup of tea below.  No odor.

Truth is, dumping "black" bilge water over the side is illegal.  The bucket spilled over the side by accident, though.  When at my home slip, I have a shop vacuum for bilge water removal and to aid in proper disposal.

White vinegar.  Works wonders.

[s/v Faith]

White vinegar.  Works wonders.

  I bet we have no less then 4 quarts aboard Faith right now.  We cook with it, clean with it, even bathe in it... good stuff.  ;)

[matt195583]

.... Vanilla esence works wonders , I had a freezer die while i was on holidays for a week. I got home to a shed stinking of meat that had been at 100+ farenhiet for 4-5 days .. trust me vanilla essence is the go.