7 Marine Safe Dish Soap Options for Your Boat (Or the Beach)
The importance of using marine-safe soap for boats cannot be overemphasized.
The use of regular cleaning agents for boats poses possible toxicity for aquatic life. The wastewater produced from using them is sure to reduce water quality.
The marine environment should not have to suffer for your boat to come out spotless. Thankfully, there are marine-safe dish soap options for boats. So, your boat can come out clean without the marine environment suffering.
Star Brite Boat Wash
The Star Brite Boat Wash is a phosphate-free dish soap for boats. So, you are unlikely to promote the growth of oxygen-depleting algae in the marine environment. Besides, it is also biodegradable; it will not stick around and pollute waterways.
The Star Brite Boat Wash contains surfactants, so it is not totally safe for marine life. But since it is a concentrated formula, you only need minimal quantities of it for effective cleaning. So, the adverse effects of the surfactants should be unpronounced if you dilute correctly.
A bottle of the Star Brite Boat Wash contains around 16 fluid ounces of the cleaning solution. This should suffice for many rounds of boat cleaning.
Star Brite Boat Wash leaves virtually no residues or streaks on your boat after washing. It has no effect on wax. So, you never have to worry about losing the shine in your boat.
Pros
- Phosphate-free and biodegradable, so it is almost non-toxic to marine life.
- Concentrated formula, you only need minimal amounts to successfully clean your boat.
- It is relatively economical.
- Leaves no residues or streaks after cleaning.
Cons
- Cannot get out old wax stains.
- More soap at the same price would have been much better.
Star Brite Super Orange Citrus Boat Wash
Like the Star Brite Boat Wash, the Star Brite Super Orange Citrus Boat Wash is a non-phosphate boat wash. It is also biodegradable. So, it will not remain in the water for long.
At the same time, it will not promote the growth of other organisms that can deplete oxygen levels in water bodies.
The Star Brite Super Orange Citrus Boat Wash does contain an anionic surfactant and a non-ionic surfactant, however. The presence of surfactants in this boat wash is a potential threat to marine life.
However, since the Star Brite Super Orange Citrus Boat Wash is a concentrate, you will not be using too much of it. Consequently, the surfactants may never reach toxic levels.
Unlike the Star Brite Boat Wash, the Star Brite Super Orange Citrus Boat Wash is scented. It is infused with citrus extract. Interestingly, the citrus extract does more than just scent the boat wash. It also synergizes the cleaning action of the formula.
You can get the Star Brite Super Orange Citrus Boat Wash in a 128-fluid-oz bottle. This offers even more washes than the Star Brite Boat Wash. It is safe for various surfaces, including fiberglass, glass, vinyl, and plastic.
The Star Brite Super Orange Citrus Boat Wash cannot remove polish or wax. So, you never have to worry about losing your boat’s finish.
Pros
- It contains no phosphate, and it is biodegradable.
- Formulated as a concentrate, so a little goes a long way.
- Non-streaking, and it leaves no residue.
- Works on various types of boat surfaces.
- Has a citrus scent.
Cons
- It can cause possible skin irritation.
303 Marine Boat Wash with UV Protectant
Besides being marine-safe, the 303 Marine Boat Wash with UV Protectant is formulated with a UV inhibitor.
The UV inhibitor is estimated to offer your boat up to 30 days of protection against the damaging UV rays from the sun. So, the 303 Marine Boat Wash with UV Protectant does not only clean your boat, it also extends the boat’s durability.
The 303 Marine Boat Wash with UV Protectant has a neutral pH. So, you can use it on virtually any boat surface without worries. It is also concentrated, so you can get multiple uses out of one bottle.
Pros
- It is biodegradable.
- Neutral pH makes it compatible with various types of surfaces.
- Offers UV protection.
- Concentrated formula allows for multiple uses.
Cons
- A larger-sized bottle and more cleaning fluid would have been even better.
Woody Wax Boat Soap Ultra Pine
The Woody Wax Boat Soap Ultra Pine comes in 2 sizes: the 34-fl-oz and the 128-fl-oz. Of course, the contents of both bottles are the same, and they are both marine-safe.
Besides removing salt, grime, and similar dirt from boats, the Woody Wax Boat Soap Ultra Pine neutralizes odors and mold spores. This is possible thanks to the antibacterial agents it is formulated with. As the antibacterial agents remove odor, the pine scent leaves a pleasant smell.
Pros
- Biodegradable – safe for marine life and the environment.
- Pine-scented.
- Formulated with antibacterial additives that eliminate spores and odors.
Cons
- It could be more concentrated.
Babe’s Clever Cleaner Environmentally Safe General Purpose Boat Cleaner
This boat cleaner comes in a spray bottle, which makes the application very straightforward. Besides the spray bottle, you can also get the Babe’s Clever Cleaner in a 1-gallon bottle.
The spray bottle contains about 1 pint of the cleaning fluid. The gallon bottle is the more economical option when you consider the price difference.
However, you could get both. This way, while the spray bottle serves as the applicator, the gallon bottle will serve as the refill reservoir.
The Babe’s Clever Cleaner works on all boat surfaces. It cleans oil, scum, salt, and exhaust residue.
Pros
- Has a low level of toxicity and is safe for marine ecosystems.
- Available in a spray bottle for easy application.
- Also available in a gallon bottle, which is pretty economical.
- It can be applied on all boat surfaces.
Cons
- It would go a long way if it were more concentrated.
Babe’s Boat Bubbles High-Sudsing Wash Concentrate
Babe’s Boat Bubbles comes from the same manufacturer as the Babe’s Clever Cleaner. It was formulated for compatibility with gelcoat. So, you can rest assured this will not strip your boat of its sealants and wax.
Like Babe’s Clever Cleaner, Babe’s Boat Bubbles is available in a 1-gallon bottle and a 1-pint spray bottle. While the spray bottle offers easy application of the fluid, the gallon bottle is more economical.
Unlike Babe’s Clever Cleaner, Babe’s Boat Bubbles has a more concentrated formula. So, a little goes a long way. But you will have to pay more for the Babe’s Boat Bubbles.
Pros
- Easy to apply.
- Marine safe and relatively less toxic.
- pH-balanced, so it pretty much keeps the surface of your boat intact.
Cons
- Relatively more expensive.
Rejuvenate RM32BS Boat Soap
The Rejuvenate RM32BS Boat Soap is formulated for safe use on painted surfaces, plastic, gelcoat, fiberglass, and glass.
It removes dirt, salt, bird droppings, and grime readily with proper use. The Rejuvenate RM32BS Boat Soap is relatively harmless to marine life and your boat’s wax. But it could be more concentrated.
Pros
- Safe for marine life.
- Compatible with various boat surfaces.
- Unharmful to wax and polish.
Cons
- Not very concentrated.
