The Yacht Maintenance Hub, The resource for Yacht Maintenance & Repairs 1200 627

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner

Cleaning & Detailing

Last updated 30 June 2026

← all Recommended Products

Product Summary

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is a dilutable general-purpose cleaner and degreaser commonly used for removing dirt, grease, oil residue and everyday grime from washable surfaces. The manufacturer describes it as suitable for water-tolerant surfaces, with guidance to dilute as needed, spot test first, rinse or damp-wipe after use, and avoid unsuitable surfaces such as unfinished wood, suede and leather.

For yacht maintenance, it can be a useful onboard cleaner for light degreasing jobs, especially in areas such as bilges, lockers, lazarettes, tool areas, deck storage spaces and general maintenance zones. It may also be worth considering as a light first-pass cleaner for small oil-based marks on teak, but only with caution. Teak is often unfinished wood, so compatibility should be checked carefully before use, and a dedicated teak cleaner may be more suitable for regular teak care.

This product is best viewed as a practical, flexible cleaner for routine maintenance cleaning rather than a specialist marine teak cleaner, heavy-duty bilge treatment or surface restoration product.

Buy on amazon.com

Other buying choices by region

United States
Amazon.com West Marine
United Kingdom
Amazon.co.uk

Why TYMH Likes It

TYMH likes Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner because it is a useful option for general onboard cleaning and light degreasing. The concentrated format makes it practical for boats because it can be diluted for lighter cleaning tasks or used stronger where manufacturer guidance allows.

It is especially useful for bilges, lockers and maintenance spaces where crews often need a softer general-purpose degreaser rather than a harsh solvent-style cleaner. It may also be considered for light oil staining on teak as a careful first step, but TYMH would not treat it as a dedicated teak cleaner or use it aggressively on unfinished teak without checking compatibility first.

It fits well into a yacht maintenance routine as a practical support product: useful for small cleaning jobs, maintenance prep, tool cleaning and general degreasing where a specialist product is not required.

Best for

  • Light degreasing in bilges and machinery-adjacent areas
  • Cleaning lockers, lazarettes and storage compartments
  • Removing light oil, grease and grime from washable surfaces
  • General onboard cleaning around maintenance areas
  • Cleaning tools, buckets, removable trays and workshop-style areas
  • First-pass cleaning before using more specialist products
  • Cautious spot treatment of small oily marks, where surface compatibility allows

Quick Specs Table

Detail

Product Information
Product type Concentrated all-purpose cleaner and degreaser
Suitable surfaces Water-tolerant washable surfaces; always check manufacturer guidance
Typical use Light degreasing, bilges, lockers, tools, maintenance areas and general cleaning
Application method Dilute with water where required, apply, allow short dwell time, scrub if needed, then rinse or damp-wipe
Available sizes Varies by size/retailer
Brand Simple Green
Maintenance level Routine cleaning / light to medium degreasing
Best suited for Yacht owners, captains, crew and boat owners needing a flexible onboard cleaner
Notes Not a specialist teak cleaner; avoid unsuitable surfaces and always spot test first

Practical Use Notes / Dos and Don'ts

Do

  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
  • Dilute the concentrate correctly for the cleaning task.
  • Spot test on a hidden area first, especially on teak, painted surfaces, gelcoat, coated metals, plastics or older finishes.
  • Use it as a light general-purpose degreaser for lockers, bilges and maintenance areas.
  • Rinse or damp-wipe with clean water after use, especially where residue may remain.
  • Use suitable gloves and eye protection where required.
  • For teak oil stains, start with the lightest method first and avoid aggressive scrubbing.
  • Use a dedicated teak cleaner or brightener if the teak needs deeper restoration.

Don’t

  • Don’t assume it is suitable for all marine surfaces.
  • Use it on unfinished wood unless compatibility has been checked carefully.
  • Allow cleaner to dry on the surface.
  • Use it as a substitute for proper bilge cleaning, oil spill control or absorbent pads.
  • Mix it with other cleaners, acids, solvents or bleach.
  • Use it as a regular heavy teak cleaning method.
  • Apply it over waxed, sealed, varnished or coated surfaces without testing first.
  • Ignore drying, rinsing, compatibility or dilution guidance.

FAQs

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is used for general cleaning and degreasing on washable, water-tolerant surfaces. Onboard, it is useful for lockers, bilges, tools, storage areas and light grease or grime removal.

It is suitable for some yacht cleaning tasks, especially in washable maintenance areas. Always check compatibility with your vessel’s surfaces and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before use.

Simple Green can be a useful light degreaser for bilges and machinery spaces where general grime, light oil residue or dirt needs cleaning. For heavy contamination, fuel residue or oil spills, use proper absorbents and marine-specific bilge cleaning methods.

It may be considered as a cautious light first-pass cleaner for small oily marks, but teak compatibility needs care. Many teak decks are unfinished wood, and manufacturer guidance should be checked before use. For routine teak care, a dedicated teak cleaner is usually the safer choice.

Yes, it is a concentrate and can be diluted depending on the cleaning task. Use the manufacturer’s dilution guidance and start with a weaker mix where possible.

No. It is a general-purpose cleaner and degreaser, not a dedicated teak cleaner, brightener or sealer. Use teak-specific products for deeper teak cleaning, restoration or brightening.

Related content

Latest articles

Explore the newest articles, from practical repair advice and product recommendations to preventive maintenance guides designed for owners, captains, crew and marine professionals.

See all content
Affiliate Disclosure:

This product page may contain affiliate links. If you buy through one of these links, The Yacht Maintenance Hub may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our recommendations are based on product relevance, practical use and suitability for yacht maintenance, not simply on commission value.

You may also be interested in

See all recommended products

Sign up for updates

Join the newsletter for practical yacht maintenance advice, new guide releases, downloadable resources, product recommendations and seasonal reminders designed to help owners, captains and crew make better maintenance decisions onboard. As TYMH grows, subscribers will also get early access to new checklists, maintenance resources, recommended products and exclusive offers or discounts from selected marine brands.

    We value your privacy

    Products   /   Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner

    We track how people interact with our online web content and resources, and some of that tracking involves storing cookies on your device. By continuing to use our site you accept that you agree to this. For more details see our Privacy Statement.

    Dismiss