What does certified organic mean?

Our products have met the UDSA National Organic Program Standards. The VOF (Vermont Organic Farmers Association which is the certifier in Vermont) upon providing certification for these products states that they have received the certified producers application of materials, reviewed its records, inspected it fields and facilities and has determined that the products identified are organically grown and/or processed in accordance with the USDA National Organic Program Standards.

What’s the difference between cleaning products with petro-chemicals vs organic?

All marine cleaning products are made with petroleum based chemicals. These products contain huge amounts of hydrocarbons. Many are 95% hydrocarbons. We all know hydrocarbon pollution is one of the biggest threats to our planet. It seems ridiculous that when we are attempting to clean our boat we are actually adding to the problem of hydrocarbon pollution. Latitude 43 contains no hydrocarbons! All other cleaners contain chemical surfactants which are chemical foaming agents which suffocate fish and marine life. Many cleaners contain solvents, acids, petroleum distillates and detergents that have a harmful effect on the environment as well as the user. Latitude 43 products are made with certified organic plant oils. Our proprietary formula simply out cleans everything made with synthetics and does no harm to the environment we guarantee it!

 Is there orange oil in your product?

There is no orange oil in our product as it can discolor fiberglass. Other manufacturers add orange oil to a detergent and call it a natural formula leading you to believe that you are using an “environmentally friendly product”.

What are phosphates and nitrates, and what do they do to the environment?

Our competitors add phosphates and nitrates to make a strong detergent. These chemicals promote algae bloom which intern deplete oxygen in water for the marine life.

Why doesn’t your product make a lot of suds?

The first thing you need to understand is that suds have nothing to do with cleaning. We have been conditioned by detergent manufacturers to think that the more a product “suds” the better it cleans. The truth is that suds have nothing to do with the products ability to clean a surface but do have a huge impact on the environment. The chemicals known as “surfactants” help create suds by lessoning the surface tension of water. These suds prevent fish from absorbing oxygen through their gills causing suffocation.

What do the claims non-toxic and biodegradable mean?

Essentially nothing! But mere advertising hyperbole. If you think about your car it is biodegradable but it will take along time to break down. Non-toxic is used with the same type of hype. It can simply mean that the ingredients in a product are not on the toxic chemical list of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). It still doesn’t mean that the product is not harmful to the user or the environment!

Latitude 43 clearly labels its ingredients why don’t the other manufacturers do this?

Cleaning products are not forced by law to list their ingredients on their packaging. When someone won’t tell you what’s in their product chances are they have something to hide. Typically you will see a warning or a caution statement on the front of their packaging. They are forced to do this by their insurance company but it is a sure sign of a product that you don’t want to use!

In Closing………..

Do your research and if you can ask for the MSDS (Material Data Safety Sheet) you will be surprised! The phrase “environmentally friendly” in many cases is so not true! Watch out for these and other false claims! We are the only totally environmentally friendly, chemical free, phosphate and nitrate free, and non-polluting boat cleaner on the market!   Any comments or questions please feel free to call or email is at anytime.

888-435-2843 or info@lat43.com