The Best Boat Washes for 2023

Washing your boat may not be the most exciting activity you would do with it. I know you would rather sail and go on adventures with your boat rather than getting slathered with soap or trip over a water hose for washing it. However, cleaning and washing your boat is extremely vital if you want to keep it in its optimum shape and appearance. Thus, you must invest time and choose the best boat wash for washing it.

If you’re on the hunt for the best product, then you have definitely come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about boat wash products. Furthermore, we will also give you a few tips on how to land on the right boat wash to clean your boat or RV.

Also, we have reviewed the ten best boat washes you can purchase from Amazon. They’re as follows:

Best Boat Wash Reviews of 2023

1. Meguiar’s M4364 Marine/RV Boat Wash

Cleaning your RV or boat now becomes a lot easier with the Meguiar’s M4364 Marine/RV Boat Wash. This boat wash helps brighten the finish as well as protect and preserve your boat or RV’s exteriors in just one easy step.

What I like the most about this boat wash is that it allows you to quickly and safely get rid of scum, dirt, and grime due to its persistent scudding action. Its pH-balanced formula also helps provide gentle cleaning. Additionally, its non-streak formula brightens and gently cleans gel-coated surfaces and fiberglass while its rich conditioners provide a dazzling finish, thus you don’t need to invest in a boat soap with wax.

With its pleasant and invigorating scent, I definitely agree that this boat cleaner offers an enjoyable boat cleaning experience for everyone. Moreover, this product comes in a 64-ounce bottle which makes it highly cost-efficient and convenient, especially when dealing with larger boat surface areas.

We all know how bad using dishwashing soap or detergent for cleaning your boat’s surfaces is; it strips away polish and wax, and it also encourages oxidation. Therefore, I suggest you invest in a top-quality boat wash such as this one from Meguiar’s.

2. Star Brite Super Orange Citrus Boat Wash

Cleaning your boat or RV’s surface areas can now be more enjoyable with the Star Brite Super Orange Citrus Boat Wash. This product’s concentrated soap formula is not only economical but also ensures no trace of dirt, grime, and grease are left after you use it.

I like that this product comes in two different sizes; a 32-ounce bottle which is ideal for small to medium boats and a gallon which allows you to save money and be more economical. Additionally, this biodegradable boat wash soap is safe to be used on metal, fiberglass, and painted surfaces.

Lastly, I also love that it comes in a refreshing citrus scent; it makes cleaning a lot more delightful.

3. Meguiar’s M4232 Flagship Premium Wash-N-Wax

When talking about boat wash and wax products, Meguiar’s is one of the best brands to look at. The Meguiar’s M4232 Flagship Premium Wash-N-Wax is a 2-in-1 boat cleaner that combines a superior soap formula and a potent wax to gently clean surface areas while leaving a dazzling shine.

What I like about this product is that helps clean and brighten surface areas while leaving an added protective layer. It also removes salt spray, dirt, grime, and bird droppings quickly and gently while protecting the surface areas against UV rays and air corrosion at the same time.

Another thing that makes this boat cleaner exceptional is its unique formulation. It includes a specialized formula that uses a blend of synthetic polymers and carnauba that actively removes contaminants while leaving an added protective layer. Moreover, this product is biodegradable and safe to use on various surfaces including metal, fiberglass, gel coating, vinyl, plastic, etc.

4. Aero Cosmetics Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax Kit

Ever heard of a waterless car wash with wax? The Aero Cosmetics Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax delivers gentle cleaning and leave a protective coating that is non-sticky. This waterless car cleaner allows you to wash and wax your boat, RV, and vehicles anytime and anywhere.

What I like most about this automobile and marine soap is the fact that you can simply spray it on the surface areas of your vehicle or RV then wipe dry and you’re good to go. Doing this not only saves you time and extra effort in pulling out a water hose, but it also helps in conserving water which is such a great added bonus. Additionally, what makes this product even more cost-efficient is that with a 144-ounce bottle, you can wash up to 36 cars or wax up to 57 cars.

Moreover, the aircraft-quality wax in this product will provide a layer of UV-protective coating and leave a dazzling finish on the surface areas of your car, boat, or RV. This product has been widely used and trusted by military airlines, businesses, private aircraft owners, and the Air Force One for over 32 years.

Furthermore, what I love even more about this car and boat wash is its eco-friendly formula. This product is water-based and free of any harmful chemicals such as ammonia or alcohol; thus, this product is guaranteed safe to use on both the exteriors and interiors of your car or boat.

The whole kit comes with a gallon of wash wax, a 16-ounce of wash wax in a spray bottle, 4 microfiber cloths, and a product manual.

5. Smoove Purpleicious Ultimate Boat Wash

Cleaning your boat has never been this gentle and simple with the Smoove Purpleicious Ultimate Boat Wash. This product leaves your boat’s surfaces squeaky clean without stripping its existing wax layer. Therefore, if you are on the market for an uncomplicated yet effective marine wash, I suggest you try out this product.

I love that this product has a biodegradable and environment-safe formula. It is also safe to use on boat surface areas with a gel or wax coating as it won’t strip it off. This boat wash provides thorough but gentle cleaning, and it will also help your boat’s surfaces look better for longer. Additionally, since it is a concentrated formula, you can use a whole gallon or a quart-sized bottle for washing small or medium-sized boats multiple times.

This product comes in a gallon size which is more economical and allows you to save some money. However, if you want to try this product first before investing in a bigger size, you may also choose to purchase the quart-sized bottle.

6. Woody Ultra Pine Wash N Wax Boat Soap

This concentrated wash and wax boat cleaner is definitely one of the products you want to check out if you are on the hunt for an economical and highly effective boat wash. The Woody Ultra Pine Wash N Wax Boat Soap combines the power of active cleaning ingredients and a wax formula that will leave a protective layer on your boat’s surface areas.

What I think makes this product great is that it creates long-lasting suds and can cut through dirt, grime, and scum without stripping out the existing wax layers on surfaces at the same time. We all want a clean and brilliant looking boat; however, other cleaning products can be too tough and strips out gel or wax coating on surface areas. Thus, whether you are dealing with bird droppings or a tough stain or mold, this product is something you can truly depend on.

I also love that this concentrated boat wash allows you to use it a good number of times. Additionally, this product is not only budget-friendly but also guaranteed safe and eco-friendly since it involves biodegradable and non-toxic ingredients.

7. Star Brite Concentrated Boat Wash

If you are looking for an economical and eco-friendly boat wash that effectively cleans without stripping wax layers of your boat, then this is for you. The Star Brite Concentrated Boat Wash not only does the job of cleaning your boat’s surface areas, but it is also environment-friendly and safe to use even over waters. Effective yet conscious boat cleaning has now been made more convenient.

What I like about this product is that it is an economical product. With just a capful of the concentrate mixed in a bucket of water, you can already clean an entire boat thoroughly. While it does the job of deep cleaning your boat’s surface areas, it also won’t damage or strip the existing wax layers in it. Additionally, unlike other products with potent suds action, its suds are quick to wash off and will not leave any soap residue.

This product comes in two sizes: a gallon which helps you save more and a 16-ounce bottle which is highly practical for those who wish to try it out first before investing in the 1-gallon size.

8. Total Boat Biodegradable Boat Soap

If you are on the look for an all-purpose boat soap that’s going to do the job of thorough cleaning while being gentle enough to not strip off the wax, this product is worth checking out. The TotalBoat Biodegradable Boat Soap is not only a superior boat cleaner, but it is also safe for the environment.

What I like about this concentrated boat soap is that it does not sud too much to a point where you need to use a lot of water to wash it off. It effectively removes dirt and grime from various areas of a boat including the deck, cabins, hulls, engines, cockpits, etc.

This product also includes a 100% biodegradable, eco-friendly and non-caustic formula. Thus, you can safely wash your boat even above waters.

9. H&M OPW2 Orpine Boat Soap & Wax

If you’re on the market looking for the best boat wash and wax products to try out, then this is one of the best choices. The H&M OPW2 Orpine Boat Soap & Wax combines the power of Orpine boat soap’s magic formula with a superior wax. Cleaning and keeping your boat’s surface area protected has never been this easy through one cleaning product.

I like that this boat cleaning product ensures optimum cleaning action and leaves a protective wax layer that is non-yellowing. Since this boat cleaner comes in a concentrated formula, you just need an ounce of it then mix with 3 gallons of water to wash an entire medium-sized RV or boat. It gently removes dirt and grime from the surfaces of a boat, RV fishing tackle, or even land vehicles and trailers.

Furthermore, this superior boat soap and wax is not only used for surface areas, but it can also be used to clean everything from the cabin to the fish box. I do recommend using this product when cleaning both the exteriors and interiors of your boat as it can eliminate nasty odors and leave everything with a pleasant pine scent.

Moreover, I think this product trumps the other boat soap and wax products on the market is because it includes a biodegradable and environmentally-friendly formula. Additionally, this product is guaranteed safe to be used on fiberglass, metals, epoxy paints, plastics, and wood. Lastly, this concentrated boat soap and wax comes in a 32-ounce bottle which will last you a good amount of time.

10. Mothers 91532 Marine Wash N Wax

Another great boat wash and wax in one product you should also check out is the 91532 Marine Wash n Wax from Mothers. This concentrated boat cleaner includes a first-rate soap formula and a potent wax to help thoroughly clean surface areas while leaving a protective coating.

I like that this concentrated formula quickly and gently removes dirt, scum, salt spray, and grime while the wax leaves a dazzling shine. Additionally, its low-sudsing formula ensures the soap is quick and easy to rinse off.

Furthermore, I also recommend this product because it is guaranteed to have a biodegradable and environment-safe formula.

What to Look for When Buying a Boat Wash

Buying a boat wash is not as simple as buying a dishwashing soap on your local supermarket. As you want to provide optimum care for your boat, choosing the best boat soap is extremely important. Investing in a good-quality boat cleaner gives a number of benefits to your boat, and in order to land on the right product, here are a handful of factors you must consider and look for.

• The type of boat to be washed

When purchasing a boat wash, it is extremely important to consider the type of materials that make up your boat first. If your boat consists of wood and fiberglass materials, you must look for products which are made specifically to clean such type of materials.

On the other hand, if you have an inflatable boat or one made of fabric, you must select a cleaner which can penetrate through such materials without damaging it.

• The bodies of water you will use your boat on 

The ocean’s saltwater is totally different from freshwater bodies such as a lake or river. In case you plan on using your boat on saltwater, keep in mind that you must invest in a boat wash meant for cleaning saltwater sprays. Saltwater, when not cleaned properly, may lead to an increase in the oxidation or corrosion rate in the metal parts of a boat.

• The boat wash’s cleaning power

Are you usually dealing with tough stains and grime? In that case, it would be ideal to invest in a deep cleaner which can penetrate through the surface’s protective layer to get rid of the deep-rooted stains. On the other hand, in case you are usually dealing with just surface dirt and bird droppings, you can go for an all-purpose cleaner rather than a stain remover.

• With wax or without wax?

If you want to enhance your boat’s surface’s shine and brilliance, going for all-in-one boat wash and wax products is the way to go. Boat soaps with wax will do the job of cleaning while leaving a protective wax layer which also enhances shine. However, in case you want a boat wash only for the purpose of cleaning your boat, you can go for a plain boat soap that doesn’t have wax in it.

• The ingredients of the boat wash

When you are cleaning your boat above waters, it is highly important to look for boat cleaning products that don’t contain harmful ingredients so as not to poison the fish or damage the coral reefs. Look into products that are labeled biodegradable and eco-friendly. Some products may also claim to be phosphate and ammonia-free which are also great environment-safe boat cleaners.

• Your preferred fragrance

In case you are someone who prefers fragrance-free cleaning products, there are a handful of unscented boat wash products you can purchase. However, if you like your boat soap to leave an invigorating scent on your boat after you wash it, there are tons of product with various scents you can choose from on the market. Just keep in mind to choose a scent you are keen on and not one that will give you a throbbing headache.

Other Important Factors to Consider

If you are new to using boat washing products, here are a handful of factors you should know and consider:

What is a boat wash?

A boat wash is basically a soap formulated to get rid of dirt, grime, scum, salt sprays, bird droppings, etc. on a boat’s surface areas. Some boat washes can be used on both the interiors and exteriors of a boat, while others are specifically used only for cleaning the boat’s hull.

How does it work?

A boat wash works almost the same as any other soaps on the market. It basically does the job of cleaning a boat’s surface areas effectively without damaging it.

What are the different types of boat washes? 

Boat washes come in two major types: an all-purpose soap or a soap with wax in it. Both types of washes do the job of cleaning; however, boat soaps with wax are formulated to leave an added protective wax layer and enhance a boat’s surface’s shine and brilliance.

On the other hand, boat washes have two types of formulations: liquid and concentrated. Liquid boat soaps can be used by directly spraying the solution to the surfaces to be cleaned while concentrated boat soaps are used by mixing capfuls to a bucket of water, depending on the mixing instructions indicated.

Why do you need a boat wash? 

There are plenty of benefits you can get from using a boat wash on your boat. They are as follows:

• A boat wash cleans your boat’s surface areas effectively without damaging it. Cleaning your boat is a massive part of maintaining it; thus, you must invest in products such as a good-quality boat wash to keep your boat’s cleanliness and brilliance.

• Using a boat wash can help enhance the appearance of your boat’s surface areas. Certain boat washes are formulated to help enhance and add shine to a boat’s surface. Thus, if you think your boat is lacking a little bit of shine, investing in a boat soap with wax might be a great solution.

• Most boat washes are safe to use and will not harm the environment. Majority of boat washes on the market are biodegradable and guaranteed eco-friendly. Therefore, you can pretty much wash your boat even over waters. Additionally, since most boat washes are environment-safe, you should be able to wash your boat without harming the fishes or damaging the coral reefs.

• Using a boat wash is more economical. A lot of people make the mistake of using a detergent or regular dishwashing soap as they think it is cheaper. However, if you choose to invest in a gallon of boat soap, you can save a lot more money since you will get a lot more use out of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the most trusted boat wash brands?

A: Based on Amazon’s list of best-rated boat cleaners, here is a rundown of the top-trusted boat wash brands on the market:

• Star Brite
• Woody Wax
• Meguiar’s
• 303 Products
• Total Boat

Q: Can I use boat washes on all boat surfaces? 

A: Certain boat soaps are formulated to clean all surfaces that make up a boat. Generally, all-purpose boat soaps can be used to clean both the exteriors and interiors of a boat.

On the other hand, certain boat washes are made specifically to clean a boat’s hull or exteriors. This type of boat wash is often formulated to get rid of tough stains or salt sprays and prevent corrosion on metal surfaces.

Q: How to use? 

A: For boat soaps with a liquid formula, you may choose to mix the solution with water before using it to wash your boat’s surfaces. Alternatively, you can choose to spray it directly then follow up with a brush or wipe with a fiber cloth.

Concentrated boat soaps, on the other hand, are used by mixing a capful of the solution with a bucket of water. Afterward, you can put the mixture in a spray bottle for a more convenient soap application on the surface areas or use a cloth to slather the soap mixture to the boat’s surfaces from the bucket.

Q: Where to buy? 

A: If you want to select from a vast range of boat wash manufacturers, I recommend you browse through Amazon. With Amazon, you can order a product conveniently without having to visit a local shop.

Meanwhile, if you prefer the traditional means, you can head go to a local shop which sells cleaning formula. Just make sure you keep the abovementioned brands in mind when buying.

Q: Can I wash my boat over waters?

A: If your boat wash is guaranteed to have an eco-friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable formula, washing your boat over waters should be just fine. However, if your boat wash doesn’t claim to be biodegradable and environment-safe, I think it would be ideal to not wash your boat over bodies of water.

Q: Will a boat wash strip the existing wax layers in my boat’s surfaces?

A: Certain boat washes are formulated to get rid of stains on metal surfaces and are not advised to be used on non-metal surfaces as they might be too tough. Therefore, when choosing a boat wash, make sure to choose a gentle yet effective boat soap when you are only dealing with dirt, grime, or bird droppings instead of a potent stain remover as it can potentially strip out existing wax layers.

Q: Is a boat wash with wax better than a plain soap formula?

A: Boat washes with wax are great if you want to enhance the appearance and add shine to the surface areas of your boat or RV. However, if you think your boat’s surface doesn’t need an added protective wax layer and shine, I suggest you go for a plain boat soap formula.

Q: Is a boat soap with wax going to make my boat’s surfaces look brand new?

A: Boat washes that come with wax are only formulated to add an added layer of protective wax that will enhance shine and protect surfaces against air corrosion. In case your boat’s surfaces are greatly lacking with shine and brilliance, I suggest you invest in a good-quality polish.

Q: Are boat washes and dishwashing soaps the same?

A: The answer is yes and no. Both boat washes and dishwashing soap lather up and do the job of cleaning. However, boat washes are formulated to effectively clean tough stains, grime, dirt, etc. on a boat’s surface without scratching or damaging it.

Additionally, if you use detergent or dishwashing soap in cleaning your boat, you will be left with soap residues if you don’t wash it off well. Most boat washes, on the other hand, are easy to wash off and will not leave soap streaks and residue.

Q: What is the most popular boat wash product scent? 

A: Based on the products we have reviewed in this article, pine and citrus scents are among the top popular fragrances in boat wash products. On the other hand, a number of fragrance-free boat washes are also available on the market.

Conclusion

Selecting the best boat wash is definitely not as easy as picking a detergent or dishwashing paste on your local grocery store. There are a number of factors to consider including the materials of your boat down to your preferred soap formula and scent. The key is to always look into the product’s specifications, ingredients, and formulation.

We hope you found our boat soap reviews and buying guide helpful. Now that you know the basic factors to consider when selecting a boat wash, it’s about time you purchase the best product that suits your boat washing needs.

Do you know of any worthwhile boat wash product which we haven’t included in this list? If so, you might want to leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!

Dave L. Beaton

I am Dave, Marine Talk’s content creator. Boating experiences matter when planning a boat trip for your family or going by yourself. Therefore, I am here to tackle all things relevant to boating so even the inexperienced ones can start their boating safely.