Is Dawn dish soap safe for boats?
Dish soap like Dawn is extremely caustic. It will quickly strip wax from boats. Without wax, boats will oxidize from the sun’s UV rays. The dish soap will begin eating into the gelcoat.
Dawn is designed to cut tough grease and stains. It is efficient at removing grease. Dawn is not designed to be gentle on skin. The ingredients in Dawn, while safe for dishes, are not suitable for human skin. Dawn contains surfactants which are strong cleaning agents.
Can Vinegar be used for boats?
Vinegar should not be used on leather, fabrics, or sensitive surfaces. It may damage the material. Mild dishwashing liquid can be safely used on soft boat surfaces like carpet, upholstery, and vinyl seats. It does not contain harsh chemicals. Dawn is safe for vinyl boat seats. Its non-scratch formula won’t damage surfaces. To use Dawn on seats, mix a small amount with warm water. Use a soft brush or cloth to gently scrub away dirt. Rinse seats afterwards with clean water. Then let air-dry.