Spray vs. Wash

In our test we included both wash-style cleaners that were mixed with water in a bucket as well as spray bottle cleaners. Across the board the spray cleaners or cleaners applied directly to the hull were more toxic than wash-style cleaners. However, spray cleaners can be wiped with a cloth and may be less likely to runoff into the water. 

We also tested one cleaning cloth that is perhaps the greenest cleaner as it does not have any run off. We found the Streak Free cloth at a boat show and decided to try it out. We followed the instructions on the package to "Wet it – Wring it – Wipe it" and were pleased with the result. This sturdy cloth can be rinsed, washed and reused.

We found that spray cleaners worked best for spot treating both for cleaning performance and for environmental impact.

This Streak-Free Cloth was the absolute greenest product tested.