The movement to waterless and eco-friendly products is ongoing and remains a pretty controversial topic in the detailing community. EPA regulations that prohibit chemicals from entering storm drains are partly the reason, but many states like California have water restrictions which can make it difficult.
Today I’ll share a few products without harsh chemicals found in some detailing products to add to your detailing arsenal or experiment with. It’s always nice to have an eco-friendly package for wherever you’re providing services.
That being said, here are 15 eco-friendly products ranging from shampoos to carpet cleaners to consider.
1. Steam-powered cleaning gun
Steam is a great eco-friendly alternative if you have sticky cupholders, dirty door jams, or are just tired of using harsh cleaning products that may (or may not) work.
Keep in mind these devices require air compressors to operate, but basically blast pressurized steam to clean carpets, seatbelts, and most other car surfaces you can think of.
The Tornador is the industry-standard device for this application and can be used with your favorite eco-friendly cleaners if you choose, Most are somewhere around $100, like this Tornador on Amazon.
Tornador Car Cleaning Gun
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Check out my post Why You Should Use Compressed Air for Auto Detailing if you are interested in learning how these work with compressed air.
2. Battery-powered cordless pressure washer
As opposed to electric pressure washers, one alternative that is great for basic rinsing is the Sun Joe SPX6001C-XR cordless pressure washer.
Sun Joe SPX6001C-XR
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If you are using a two-bucket method process for washing your car with minimal water, this is a great product to use just for rinsing.
It requires no power and uses a pump to generate pressure that is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Perfect for light applications.
3. Waterless car wash products
Waterless car wash products are becoming increasingly popular/
On of my favorites by Chemical Guys you can check out below I reviewed in a post here, and is one of my favorite waterless products to use. It smells great and actually does a really nice job of leaving a shiny, but natural finish.
I will say it does take quite a bit of product to wash an entire vehicle but is something to try out if you’re new to waterless products.
Chemical Guys Waterless Car Wash Spray
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4. Steam cleaning
Steam cleaning is becoming a popular and chemical-free way to clean door jams, exteriors, seatbelts, and just about anything. It’s also a great way to clean carpets.
For a car’s exterior, you’ll need something a little more powerful to remove dirt than a steaming wand (meant for carpets). Check out my post Steam Cleaning your Car’s Exterior for more info and recommendations.
Pressurized steam is effective for maintenance washing and an eco-friendly and touch-free alternative to soap that some detailers are starting to offer.
5. Simple Green products
Simple Green is a great eco-friendly company that makes a degreaser that I personally use and love. This product cuts through brake dust, tar, and dirt on tires and wheels (and smells great too). This product is designed to be diluted, so it goes a long way
Aside from the fact that it’s environmentally friendly, it’s cheap and easy to find.
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner
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6. Water containment mats
Another eco-friendly option is a device called a water reclamation mat.
These devices are pretty affordable and simply help you keep water out of storm drains if you don’t use eco-friendly chemicals. They come in a variety of sizes.
20′ x 10′ Water Containment Mat
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Some or more expensive than others; you have professional-grade ones that detailers prefer because they hold up, as well as consumer-grade options.
Once you’re finished washing, just suck up your suds with a wet/dry vac or a water reclamation vacuum.
7. Eco-friendly waterless wash kits
If you’re looking for a truly eco-friendly way to wash your vehicle, I recommend a rinseless wash product you can apply with about 1 gallon of water in a pump sprayer.
Chemical Guys Eco-Friendly 5-Piece Wash Kit
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If you keep your vehicle pretty clean in between washes, waterless products like this one is ideal. However, for heavy dirt, you do need to rinse it down from time to time. This kit is also perfect for washing cars in water-restricted areas.
8. Electric pressure washers
If you are looking for a clean generator for washing your car, go electric over gas. This Sun Joe model is a great choice that puts out 1.76 gallons per minute at 2030 PSI…not bad for electric.
Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer
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Keep in mind if you are using foam guns or cleaning guns, you may need something a little larger to meet the minimum GPM requirements.
9. Eco-friendly car wash shampoos
Car shampoo is a staple for normal maintenance washing, and there are a few eco-friendly options to choose from. For beginners, you can’t go wrong with a simple wash and wax.
Chemical Guys EcoSmart Waterless Wash and Wax
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If you’re into waterless car washing, this is another great option from the Chemical Guys. While the brand name may sound misleading, this product is 100% eco-friendly.
It contains carnauba wax from a Brazilian palm leaf and is more of an all-in-one wash and wax type of waterless product.
It also has great reviews on Amazon, and claims to use a proprietary natural formula that helps to lift and trap dirt particles using surfactants so you can remove them with a microfiber towel.
10. Eco-friendly interior detailing sprays
For seats, dashboards, leather, plastic, or vinyl…it can be tough to find chemicals that are all-natural.
However, there are a few out there like this product by Striker.
Striker Eco-Friendly Interior Detailer
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It’s made in the USA, leaves behind a natural finish, and is perfect for removing light dust and residue. Striker also makes a complete line of detailing products you can check out here.
11. Eco-friendly wheel cleaner
Looking for a basic wheel cleaner that is pH neutral and will not stain your rims with harsh acids? Look no further than Adam’s Eco Wheel cleaner.
Adam’s Eco-Friendly Wheel Cleaner
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It also has a great smell, comes in a 16-ounce spray bottle…and one of the few eco-friendly products designed for wheels out there.
12. Eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner
As a companion to the ECO Wheel Cleaner, this product is a great all-in-one cleaner that you can use for engine bays, wheels, and more. Everyone needs a good APC for detailing in my opinion
Adam’s Eco-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaner
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Many Adam’s products are available by the gallon so you can dilute them to the strength you desire; they also have great reviews, and offer a wide variety of products you experiment with.
13. SilverKLR Microfiber Towels
These microfiber towels are one of the best choices for sanitizing really dirty vehicles without harsh chemicals since they are embedded with EPA-approved antibacterial agents.
These have been tested to kill 99.99 percent of all bacteria, making them a great choice for detailers.
14. Vinegar
Believe it or not, vinegar is one of the more effective natural cleaners out there. Many people will dilute vinegar 50 percent with water to clean windows or remove odors. This is one of the better ways to clean windows streak-free if you are into using 100% green products. Just pick up an empty spray bottle for a few bucks, and mix up a solution with the strength that you need.
15. Eco Green Auto Clean
This company produces several waterless products that claim to be able to wash your car with one cup of water. This solution claims to wash an entire car with a single cup of water and is perfect if you live in an area with water restrictions due to drought.
Not perfect for all vehicles (like trucks that get muddy), but a good product for some.
Conclusion
Eco-friendly is essential for attracting most consumers these days, so consider mixing in some of these recommendations.
For more recommended products to add to your detailing arsenal, check out my recommended gear page where I break down a few favorites I’ve come across in recent years.
