Environmental sustainability has been a hot topic for a while now. Many consumers are looking to reduce their waste and use products that have little to no impact on the environment.
Some of the most popular boat cleaning products on the market could be harming the environment in ways you don’t even realise. Therefore, it's important to recognise why and how these products are damaging the environment. The production, packaging, distribution and, of course, the chemicals used are all major factors in terms of a product’s environmental impact.
Before we jump into the best eco-friendly boat cleaning products, we’re going to give you a quick lowdown on why we’ve chosen the products we have.
Firstly, when you’re cleaning a boat, it's especially important to look at the contribution certain products make towards water pollution. Thousands of chemicals from cleaning products, especially on a boat, are washed into streams, rivers, and lakes, affecting the wildlife and eco-systems that reside there.
Secondly, whether you’re using a boat cleaning product or regular cleaning product, it is important to recognise air pollution. This is typically caused by a product's distribution – chemical cleaning products are often mass-produced with cheap and unnatural ingredients, which can affect indoor air quality and outdoor smog.
Lastly, waste is a major consideration when selecting a cleaning product. Many containers are not made from recyclable materials. Packaging and empty bottles often end up in landfills. Hazardous materials may have a special requirement which usually requires energy for transport and disposal. You get the idea.
However, you can avoid the above if you purchase any of the below products we’ve selected. Here is our list of the most eco-friendly boat cleaning products on the market.
1. SLEEK - Teak Cleaner & Brightener
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Price: £14.99 1 litre in a reusable pouch
Owned by The Friendly Chemical Co, this UK-based company uses pioneering chemical technologies to create powerful and safe formulations. If an ingredient is deemed not to be safe, SLEEK doesn’t use it.
Its Teak Cleaner & Brightener is ideal for cleaning all fine woods and boat decking. It uses natural and organic acids to provide a deep clean on the surface and give your boat a new lease of life.
SLEEK’s advice is to use a soft bristle brush to clean the teak and get into the small nooks and crannies. After, simply rinse down with water. The company also advises you to resist the temptation of using a pressure washer to reserve water.
Whether you buy this or any other product from the SLEEK collection, there’s an option to send back your empty packaging for it to be safely recycled. In addition to this, SLEEK stocks its products in refilling stations across the country.
So, when you buy a SLEEK product, you know you’re doing a good deed for the environment.
2. Boat Sheen – Mould Killer
Price: £6.00 for 250ml
Most if not all boat owners will have to deal with mould at some point.
Mould is usually cleared away using harsh bleaches, which are bad for the environment on a number of levels. Not only can they cause air and water pollution, but they can also cause respiratory infections and other illnesses among children and pets. That’s why if you encounter mould, Boat Sheen's Mould Killer should be your first port of call.
This product is readily biodegradable, which means that it can be broken down by biological action. Furthermore, it can pass safely through the sewage system and be broken down in the water from a lake, river, or sea without causing environmental damage.
If you use this product, you should leave it on your boat overnight in a dry environment and wipe down the surfaces you’ve applied it to using a cloth or sponge.
3. Ecoworks Marine Eco All Surface Cleaner in Concentrate
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Price: £21 for 1 litre
Having an all-in-one cleaning product is an effective way to reduce your plastic use, especially if the bottle can be refilled.
As far as such products go, Ecoworks Marine’s Eco All Surface Cleaner in Concentrate is the best of its kind.
This no-frills product does exactly what it says on the reusable packaging.
It breaks down a wide range of organic debris – such as fats, light oils, and grease – from a multitude of surface types. It does this through a combination of biodegradable and naturally sourced surfactants, fresh fragrance, and beneficial bacterial strains. As such, it’s an environmentally responsible answer to surface cleaning and odour control inside and outside of your boat.
To use this product, simply mix two capfuls into water and scrub with a soft sponge (you may want to use the gritted side for tougher surfaces).
On the website, you can find the closest stockist to your area. This service helps to reduce the carbon footprint of Ecoworks Marine’s products, reiterating its commitment to sustainability.
4. OceanSaver -Bathroom Descaler Ecodrop in Pomegranate
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Price: £1.50 for a single tablet
Although this product is not specifically designed for boats, it’s still an incredibly handy product to have onboard if your boat has a bathroom.
The OceanSaver Bathroom Descaler aims to remove the burden from cleaning by leaving a pomegranate scent in your newly cleaned bathroom.
To use this tablet-like product, drop it into a reusable spray bottle with water, spray it onto your surfaces, then wipe them with a clean, damp cloth.
OceanSaver’s products eradicate the need to repurchase single-use plastics, with the UK’s overconsumption of these goods still a major issue. What’s more, OceanSaver has a mission to create change with quality green products, which contain plant-based and cruelty-free ingredients.
In summary, OceanSaver is preventing plastic piling up in our oceans and safeguarding the planet for future generations.
5. APT Cleaning Supplies – Algae Free and Moss Killer
Price: £25.90 for 5 litres
It’s likely your boat will come into contact with moss and algae in its lifetime. Meaning its incredibly likely you will have to deal with removing the substances from your boat. ATP’s algae free and moss killer will come in handy as it’s strong enough to remove the growths without damaging your boat’s coat.
Moss and algae can harden once in a dry area, and they slow your boat down if placed back in the water without proper removal.
This product is best used in dry weather. Apply the remover solution with one part to 10-20 parts of water, depending on the amount of moss or alga build-up in your boat. Using a reusable spray bottle, spray this product onto the surface and leave it for an hour. Once an hour has passed, you can remove dead moss or algae with a stiff brush.
So, what makes this product unique? Well, firstly, it can effectively remove algae from virtually any surface. It’s also fully biodegradable, and phosphate-free, making it the perfect eco-friendly cleaning solution.
Not only is the product incredibly versatile, but it has the additional benefit of being highly concentrated, which will allow your money to stretch further than usual products, proving it is fantastic value for money.
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