Keep your boat cover clean to prevent mildew.

The true culprit is the combination of moisture and the dust or dirt that collects on top of the cover. Mildew thrives in a dirty environment, which means that keeping your boat cover clean is the best way to prevent mold and mildew from taking over.

You can cut down on the need for deep cleaning by brushing off debris and rinsing your cover with a hose once a month. This slows down the buildup of dirt and dust and helps prevent debris from becoming ingrained in the cover fabric.

Keeping your boat and storage cover dry is another way to fight mildew. Make sure the inside of the boat is completely dry before installing the boat cover. The boat cover should be stored in a dry, protected area when not in use. Don’t store the cover inside your boat, where it is more susceptible to moisture.

If you store your boat outside, the cover MUST be breathable to allow trapped moisture and condensation to evaporate. Moisture trapped inside the boat creates ideal conditions for mold and mildew growth.

In order for the cover to “breathe” properly, it must be clean and free of debris. You should also never throw a tarp or plastic cover on top of your boat cover. This will block the air flow and trap moisture inside.