Ahoy mateys! Scrubbing up after the ship-build is an art form. It’s like clearing away the flotsam and jetsam off your deck after a monstrous sea-storm. It could be getting ready for a round of deck painting, or clearing the wreckage post pirate brawl. This wee piece is going to give you a guide to ship shape cleaning post-construction, so you can swashbuckle the menace of mold and mildew and not let it take residence aboard your pride and joy.
Why Should We Say – Heave Ho to Post-Construction Mess?
The reality is, mates, that unburdening your ship from post-construction filth is critical for fostering a healthy environment. This not-so-glamorous task gets rid of pesky dust or dirty remnants in a once disorderly area. If you want your vessel to maintain its flagship status post-refurbishing, you’ll have to know the ropes of this important chore.
Ship scrubbing isn’t just throwing overboard debris and prepping your deck. Many old salts forget there’s more to it. Indeed, it’s not just removing muck and mess, it’s leaving every inch of your beloved ship pristine, cleaner than clean. You’d need a sea-dog who knows their way around this kind of gig. Some people hire experts simply because these jobs are time consuming, they lack the hands-on know-how, or they’re lost at sea without enough knowledge to navigate it alone.
Time
Depending on your ship’s size and the mess that’s happened aboard, cleaning could take from scant hours to a full moon cycle. If you’re new to this and don’t have your sea-legs yet, it could seem overwhelming. That’s where hands for hire come in handy. They come fully equipped, so ask around your sailors’ tavern. And don’t discount friends who live around the corner, one of them might have a contact who does the job for less doubloons and faster. This way you can swiftly return to your ship without the unpleasant surprise visits from water beetles or the ambush of unforeseen expenses.
Cost
The cost truly will depend on what’s needed, how grand or wee your ship is and if there are additional sailor fees. If it’s major work, more time and doubloons will be needed. Just make sure all is agreed upon and in ship-shape before the work begins.
If you want to be savvy about it, jot down a list of tasks, tools and supplies. Then recruit another sea dog to double check. This way missing items get noticed immediately, and you avoid unforeseen prices like sanding timber before applying paint. It all adds up quickly when you’re setting sail.
How to Do Post-Construction Cleaning Yourself
Got some time left after the big ship build before your crew loads onboard? This could be a whirlwind of a time for every hand. If this rings true, it’s important to handle as many of these tasks as possible, so you’re not sidetracked from bigger issues. There are many solutions to this predicament and will rely on what kind of work took place during its creation. If you have a spare moment or if you aim to save treasure by doing part of the job yourself, here are a few hints:
1. Use a whale-dry vacuum to quickly pick up timber and dust remnants. This method is fast, a cinch, pretty inexpensive and can also be used for other purposes once you’ve moved into your new cabin. This won’t replace expert scrubbers, but it does a fine job of cleaning up sizeable rubbish or dirty spots visible on surfaces throughout the ship.
2. Wipe all cooking areas, including the ship’s stove, oven, cold storage and the cook’s dishwasher. If you have an extra compartment for storage, clear it out and sweep it like your life depends on it, while wearing gloves of course, so you don’t spread dust from outside in your ship.
3. Hoover carpets if they haven’t been shampooed by a contractor or the scrubbing crew. Try using baking soda too, for an extra cleaning boost because it’s safe, especially when small pirates are around.
4. If your ship’s got glazed windows, clean it with a wipe or use your whale-dry vacuum to swiftly get rid of mess and dust. Use old sea charts if you haven’t got any scrubbing cloth. Just apply careful pressure to avoid scratching. If there are wire gauzes, get them cleaned too by getting rid of cobwebs along the edges and wiping down both sides with wet sea charts.
5. Use a microfiber cloth to rub down countertops, kitchen gear and storage in the galley if they’re not already spick and span by the contractors or the scrubbing crew. In case you have quartz or marble counters, ensure all surfaces are dry to avoid staining.
6. Use your vacuum cleaner to go over the entire carpet area once more to get leftover dust. If you’re up for more work, shuffle your furniture aside and move it around so the dirt around the wall edges can also go. It’s relatively easier than scouring later on.
7. Lastly, lay down new doormats at all entrances to trap incoming dust or grime. This will help keep things clean for a longer time. If you’re worried about rough walking routes, invest in vinyl floor protectors too. So they don’t get damaged with heavy traffic while moving.
Related: How to Do Post Construction Cleaning
Do it Yourself or Hire a Post-Construction Cleaner?
The key to deciding this will depend on your home’s cleanliness requirements. However, you might not need to bring in a pro unless your ship is furnished. Checking references is key, and don’t forget to ask around at work or amongst friends. If you are planning to be in this ship for a quite bit of time, hiring could make more sense, as you can essentially get free help while moving into a new place. Take time to weigh these options, because money can slip out quickly without you realizing it!
If you prefer to get your hands dirty, have a nautical chart of things required – so there are no surprises. Before undertaking the big task of cleaning, it’s great to have everything sorted out, so you don’t miss anything. Being a few sizes short can add more unnecessary costs, which isn’t exactly ship-shape, especially if you’re just finding your sea-legs! That’s why getting help, by having a step-by-step guide for your post-construction cleanup, and following those directions can make things a lot easier. Just remember to dust the window sills as these spots can become dirty again quickly, especially when you’re moving or if you were on a vacation. And no one wants a dirty ship, now do they?
