When you’re washing the dishes after a delicious meal onboard, and watching the soapy gray water go down the sink to mingle with the soapy water from all the other boats in the anchorage, do you wonder what effect it’s having on the marine life beneath you? If you’re concerned about this, you may want to consider what’s important when choosing dish soap. In a recent survey of BCA members, the topics that members wanted to know most about were environmentally friendly boat paints and maintenance supplies, so we’ve selected dish soap as an example of the kind of things to think about when choosing a product. Purchased dish soaps are the focus of this article; however, there are homemade options such as baking soda and vinegar that are also effective.
Two general types of dish soap (liquid and bar) are discussed. A few soap brands and their pros and cons are listed as examples only. This article is not endorsing any specific brands.
What are some desirable characteristics of dish soap on a cruising boat?
- Grease cutting ability – especially effectiveness in cold water
- Cost and availability
- Gentle on hands (no dish washing gloves required)
- Could be used as a general cleaner for the boat (minimize number of cleaners required on board)
- Could be used for personal hygiene (minimize products on board)
- Available in various scents
What environmental factors could be considered?
- Low carbon footprint of all ingredients and aspects of production
- No phosphates, palm oil, preservatives, paraben, sulfates, dyes or other harmful or toxic chemicals
- Minimal plastic packaging, refillable packaging, and/or biodegradable or compostable packaging
- Short (preferably local) supply chains (less carbon used in transport of ingredients or final product)
- The makers are strong environmental advocates
What social factors could be considered?
- Low sudsing – less visual pollution
- Products and ingredients certified as Fair Trade
- Fair wages, healthy working conditions, gender equality and human rights of workers are supported by the company
- No animal testing or cruelty in product R&D
- The makers are strong social advocates
- Locally made
One of the fundamental choices in selecting a soap is whether to use liquid or bar soap. There are a number of trade-offs regarding the factors listed above to consider.
Overall Comparison Between Liquid and Bar Soap
Liquid Soap
Best for convenience, ease of use, and effective grease-cutting, especially for those who prioritize performance in various water temperatures. The high concentration of liquid soaps enhances cold water performance. Liquids are available in a variety of scents and chemical compositions for specific cleaning tasks. They are more likely to contain harsher chemicals. Ease of use generally means more soap is used and thus liquid soaps are more expensive. They require containers that are often plastic.
Bar Soap
Best for those who prioritize sustainability, minimal packaging, and natural ingredients, and are willing to spend a bit more effort in the dish washing process. Ingredients like coconut oil, castor oil, and other plant-based oils found in these soaps are known for their grease-cutting properties, which generally remain effective in cold water. However, users might need to work the soap a bit more to create suds compared to liquid soaps. A single bar can replace multiple bottles of liquid soap and are thus more affordable. Bar soaps need to be stored properly to dry between uses so are somewhat less convenient than liquid soap. They may leave residue on dishes if not rinsed or dried (which may be an issue if water is in short supply on board).
Tips to increase effectiveness of soap in cold water:
- Ensure the soap is well dissolved in the water, which may involve more vigorous agitation or using a sponge to apply the soap directly to dishes
- Soak dishes longer to allow the soap to break down grease and food particles
- Use a scrub brush or sponge to manually assist in the cleaning process
Example Brands to Consider
There are many ‘good’ products available. These were chosen to highlight the diversity of approaches to environmental and social responsibility. The first set of examples are from major manufacturers and are listed by category (liquid and bar) The second set of examples are local manufacturers. More information to assist information gathering is available on the company websites and in dish soap review articles. As with many reviews, opinions differ. Since many of these soaps are specialty items, they are not readily available in local grocery stores, and may need to be purchased from specialty stores or bought online. (Note: the farther the shipping the greater the carbon footprint of the product.)
Some soap products to consider when trying to reduce impact on the environment (photo by Rick Ellis)
Major Brands – Liquid Soap
- Dr. Bronner’s
These soaps are concentrated, organic, biodegradable, Fair Trade certified, utilizing natural essential oils for scent and recycled packaging. They offer a versatile range of uses beyond just dish washing, such as for personal care. They are concentrated so perform well in cold water using less product; however, they may not be as effective as soaps specifically designed for dishes that contain harsher chemicals. This brand is highly committed to ethical and sustainable practices, with a significant focus on environmental and social causes. The soap is gentle on the skin and available in various scents. - Common Good
This company produces concentrated dish soaps that are biodegradable, and are paraben and sulfate-free. Their soaps are designed to be gentle on hands while effectively cleaning dishes. Common Good also focuses on reducing single-use plastic through refillable bottles. The essential oils and plant-derived surfactants in its formulation are effective at breaking down grease, even in lower water temperatures.
Major Brands – Bar Soap
- No Tox Life – Dish Block™
This brand offers a concentrated palm oil-free, vegan-friendly, and biodegradable dish soap bar that’s effective on grease and long-lasting. It is formulated to be gentle on the skin, without any sulfates, phosphates, parabens, or synthetic fragrances. No Tox Life is a cruelty-free and vegan company, with a strong commitment to eco-friendly practices. It may leave a light film on stainless steel if not towel dried. - Meliora’s
This concentrated dish soap is MADE SAFE® Certified, vegan, and free from harmful chemicals. It is specifically formulated for dish washing, potentially offering better grease-cutting capabilities than general-purpose soap, but not as versatile. It comes in plastic-free packaging, emphasizing zero waste. There is a strong commitment to sustainability and transparency, with ingredients and scents posted online for full disclosure. Woman-owned Certified B Corp, indicating a high standard of social and environmental performance.
Local Brands – Liquid Soap
- Sapadilla Soap Co. (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Liquid hand soaps made from plant-based ingredients and pure essential oils. They offer a variety of eco-cleaners and soaps. Their products are non-toxic, biodegradable, and come in minimal packaging. Bulk purchases available. - Mint Cleaning (Ucluelet, British Columbia)
Liquid dish soap and other cleaning products in refillable glass bottles and recyclable refill pouches. Their liquid soaps are made with high-quality, natural ingredients. They are infused with essential oils and are biodegradable. Founded by two women (professional cleaners), and supports Mamas for Mamas and other humanitarian organizations.
Local Brands – Bar Soap
- Saltspring Soapworks (Salt Spring Island, British Columbia)
Produces handmade bar soaps using natural ingredients, essential oils, and botanicals. Their bar soaps are designed to be long-lasting. Offer a wide range of skin, hair, and body care products, including a salt water bar soap.
There are many other Canadian companies (e.g. Biovert from Quebec) producing environmentally friendly soaps. As with so many aspects of cruising boat equipment, there are tradeoffs involved in something as simple as choosing a dish soap. Choose a product that matches your values and personal approach to environmentally and socially responsible cruising.
Please make suggestions, provide your experience with these or other dish soaps, and continue the exploration in the comments section below.
