Mould on inflatable boats: prevention and cleaning

Mould on an inflatable boat often appears when damp persists, air circulates poorly and dirt builds up on the tubes, seats or equipment. It can cause stains, unpleasant smells and damage to some materials.

To prevent mould on RIB tubes, follow a simple routine: clean the surfaces with compatible products, dry the boat completely, make sure it is well ventilated and check the sensitive areas regularly. If stains are already there, the treatment must be chosen according to the material concerned.

Here is how to prevent mould and fungus on your inflatable boat, clean the affected surfaces and use ORCA Retail cleaning products correctly.

Why does mould appear on an inflatable boat?

Mould develops more easily when several conditions come together: lasting damp, poor air circulation and dirt or organic residues. On an inflatable boat, these conditions can arise after a trip at sea, under a poorly ventilated cover or during long storage.

The situations most likely to encourage it include:

• Insufficient drying: water stays in folds, hard-to-reach areas, under cushions or around equipment.
• Storage in a damp space: a garage, shed or poorly ventilated room can encourage condensation.
• A cover put on a boat that is still damp: if air circulates poorly, moisture can stay trapped under the cover.
• Built-up dirt: deposits, residues and organic matter can encourage mould on some surfaces.
• Seats and accessories that are still wet: textiles, foams and covers can hold moisture for longer than smooth surfaces.

The risk increases when the boat is left for several days without airing after being used or cleaned.

What are the consequences of mould on an inflatable boat?

Mould is not just a cosmetic problem. Depending on where it is and how long it has been there, it can leave stains that are hard to remove, produce lasting smells and damage some fabrics, coatings or fittings.

On a boat, it helps to distinguish between several situations:

• On the tubes: stains must be treated with a method compatible with the material. Discolouration does not necessarily mean the fabric is structurally damaged.
• On seats, cushions and covers: moisture can stay inside textiles or foams, which makes drying especially important.
• On ropes and other equipment: textile materials can keep marks and smells despite surface cleaning.

Mould can also cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people. If contamination is heavy, avoid spreading the spores and take suitable precautions when cleaning.

A mould stain alone does not prove that a tube has become dangerous. However, if you notice cracks, seams lifting, loss of pressure or unusual deterioration, have the tube examined before putting the boat back in the water.

How to prevent mould on RIB tubes?

Prevention relies mainly on controlling damp and regular maintenance. A few simple habits limit the conditions in which mould thrives.

1. Rinse and clean the boat regularly

After an outing, remove dirt and deposits that could build up on the tubes, seats and equipment. In salt water, rinsing with fresh water also removes salt deposits.

Use a cleaner suited to the boat's material and follow its instructions. A non-abrasive sponge or soft brush will generally clean the surfaces without damaging them.

See our RIB maintenance guide to set up a routine suited to your boat.

2. Dry the surfaces completely

Don't just dry the visible parts. Pay particular attention to folds, joins, the areas under the seats and spaces where water can collect.

Before covering or storing your boat, check that the tubes, seats and accessories are as dry as possible. If the cushions or textile equipment are removable, let them dry separately where possible.

3. Let the air circulate

When the boat is stored, avoid trapping moisture under a closed cover on a boat that is still damp. Choose a dry, ventilated place and, if possible, let air circulate under the cover.

Open the lockers when storage conditions allow and check from time to time for condensation. A protective cover does not replace drying and good ventilation.

4. Check sensitive areas regularly

Inspect the tubes, seats, covers, ropes and lockers. Stains that come back quickly may mean that moisture remains in the material or that storage conditions need improving.

5. Prepare properly for winter storage

Before a long period of storage, clean the boat, let it dry completely and check the hard-to-reach areas. Choose a suitable place and follow the manufacturer's recommendations on protection and storage.

Find our tips for preparing your RIB for winter.

How to clean mould off an inflatable boat?

If marks are already present, start by identifying the surface to be treated. Tubes, seats, covers and cushions are not necessarily compatible with the same products.

Before cleaning, air the area, wear the necessary protection and protect nearby items. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and never mix different cleaning products.

Step 1: remove everyday dirt

Start by cleaning the surface to remove dirt that is not related to mould. For compatible materials, you can use New Magic degreasing cleaner or Nautic Clean 07 shampoo.

Follow the product instructions, scrub with a sponge or soft brush, then rinse if the instructions say so.

Step 2: choose a suitable treatment for mould stains

When marks persist, only use a treatment whose product sheet confirms it is compatible with the surface concerned.

Shmuffex mould and fungus treatment is intended for certain compatible inflatable boat surfaces. Its formula contains sodium hypochlorite: it is not suitable for fabric surfaces, especially where it could damage the material being treated.

So do not apply it indiscriminately to textile seats, covers, cushions, canvas or other surfaces whose compatibility has not been confirmed. Check the manufacturer's instructions before use, protect surrounding items and wear the recommended protective equipment.

Step 3: rinse and leave to dry

After treatment, follow the instructions on contact time and rinsing. Then let the surface dry completely before putting a cover back on or storing the boat.

If stains persist, don't keep reapplying without checking the product instructions and the compatibility of the material. Some marks may have altered the surface and may not disappear completely with cleaning.

Step 4: protect the tubes after cleaning

Once the surfaces are clean and completely dry, a compatible protective product can help limit the effects of dirt, salt and UV exposure. It does not, however, replace drying or ventilation, and it does not guarantee that mould will not come back.

Depending on the material and the manufacturer's recommendations, you can look at Gumemp100 protective wax or Nautic Clean 08 protective wax.

How to clean mould off a boat seat?

Seats, cushions and covers need particular attention, because textiles and foams can hold moisture beyond what is visible on the surface.

• Identify the material: check whether it is a smooth covering, a textile cover or a material combined with foam.
• Choose a compatible cleaner: follow the covering manufacturer's recommendations. Do not use Shmuffex on fabric.
• Clean without soaking: saturating with water can make drying harder, especially when the foam cannot be removed.
• Dry completely: air the seats and cushions, remove the covers if possible and wait until everything is dry before putting it back.

If mould has penetrated deep into the foam, or the smell persists after cleaning, a surface treatment may not be enough. The material may need to be examined or replaced.

Tips for applying ORCA Retail cleaning products

The following video shows the maintenance steps to clean and protect your inflatable boat.

To choose your products, start by reading their instructions and checking that they are compatible with the material of your tubes or equipment. You will find the available solutions in our collection of cleaning products for inflatable boats and RIBs.

FAQ: mould and fungus on inflatable boats

How do you stop mould coming back on the tubes?

Clean the surfaces regularly, dry the tubes completely after use and store the boat in a dry, ventilated place. Also check folds, lockers and equipment that can hold moisture.

Can you use bleach or a mould remover on the tubes?

Don't choose a treatment just because it removes mould on other surfaces. Check that it is compatible with your boat's material and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Some chlorine-based products can damage fabric and other components.

Why does mould come back after cleaning?

Moisture may remain in the material, under a cover, in foam or in a poorly ventilated space. Cleaning must therefore go hand in hand with thorough drying and better storage conditions.

Do mould stains mean the tube is damaged?

Not necessarily. A stain may be superficial or may only have changed the look of the coating. If there are cracks, seams lifting, loss of pressure or unusual deterioration, have the tube examined by a professional.

ORCA products against mould

• Shmuffex mould remover: against black spots and fungus
• New Magic degreasing cleaner: also use it before any gluing
• Nautic Clean 07 shampoo: routine cleaning of the tubes
• Gumemp100 protective wax: protects the tubes from UV

Look after your inflatable boat with ORCA Retail

To prevent mould, regular maintenance matters as much as the choice of products. Suitable cleaning, thorough drying and well-ventilated storage help keep the tubes and equipment in good condition.

ORCA Retail offers cleaners, treatments suited to certain surfaces and protective products for maintaining inflatable boats and RIBs. Always check each product's instructions before applying it to your boat.

Discover ORCA Retail cleaning products for your inflatable boat.

To keep reading, see also our guide to the best accessories for RIBs.