Cleaning sewage odor from bilge

[Pirateking]

Tried searching, could not find thread on this, sure it was there.

Macerator ruptured, leaked quite a bit of sewage into bilge. Right now putting bleach in, flooding bilge with water, bilge pump out. But what else might kill the odor.

Thanks in advance.

[perchance]

There is a product available at some of the larger pet stores that removes cat urine odour that may work. It contains an enzyme if I recall and it works quite well. It may be worth a try.

[KDH]

Hi and welcome PirateKing. First, no more bleach as you've probably done enough. Look for any areas where it might have leaked that won't be reached by the bilge pump, especially the shower sump! You may even have to remove the access port and clean by hand. We had great results with tide with febreze (I think there were enzymes on the label). Also, we had to remove everything from the aft locker, including the holding tank and floor and clean the hull there. After that if it persists I suggest you look for Peg Hall's book. Keep cleaning and eventually you will get there. Good luck.

[David M]

Bleach is one of the best things for removing odors. You will want to apply it with some liquid laundry detergent in hot water more than once. Let it sit there and soak.

[Searanger50]

Hi,
We've found BILGEX works great. Add it to the bilge water, leave for a few days and sail about to shake it up, pump out and rinse. It also degreases.

[Teknav]

Pine Sol...will get rid of the smell, and its smell will go away within 2-3 days. Arm and Hammer baking soda is another option; very slow acting though. Easy on the bleach as it is capable of corroding any metal it gets in contact with. Mauritz

[Ocean Girl]

I used KO, it is also an enzyme used for holding tanks and head cleaning. It works very well. I would squirt all down the leakage area, would take care of the leaked stuff. If you know where it is actively leaking, wet a rag with KO and stuff it around that area till you can repair.

I love bleach, ( what nurse doesnt )Be sure to flush your bleach water really really well as it is bad for plumbing and fittings, and especially bilge pumps.

Cheers, (sorry for you troubles)
E

[Pirateking]

Thank you to all, and I still welcome more approaches. Yard has been using bleach (I am on the road until Wed). I am concerned about the bleach and the two aluminum tanks (fresh water and fuel) in the bilge. Will ask them tomorrow to flush thoroughly and move to the other approaches until I get there.

[boatman61]

Why don't you try cutting 3 or 4 onions in half and scatter them in the bilges... I know for a fact half an onion in the fridge overnight absorbs any wiffs in there.. fewer chemical blends down there the better...