Every serious skier and snowboarder knows the importance of keeping their gear in tip-top shape. It’s a long and seemingly never-ending process, but it’s well worth it if you want to get the most from your equipment. That’s why a good base cleaner is so important.
Hi, my name is Christine, and I’m a lifelong skiing enthusiast. I love everything about the sport, even the lesser-known aspects of equipment maintenance. I’ve used many base cleaners over the years, and I know how to find the best options out there.
PURL Eco is my top pick for the best ski and snowboard base cleaner of the season. This is a very effective option that will quickly remove dirt and other debris from your equipment without using chemicals that are bad for the environment.
There are several other solid options out there for base cleaners, and I’ll provide you with the best of them in this post. Whether you are putting on a fresh coat of wax or just want to stock up for the offseason, these cleaners will have your back.
Let’s get rolling.
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Who Should Get This
Every skier and snowboarder who values proper ski/snowboard care wants a good cleaner. The options in this guide are perfect for any tuning kit and will ensure your gear stays sharp, and your wax goes on easily. You never know what your skis and snowboards might pick up as you ride.
Strong cleaner lets you go anywhere and not worry about it. That is why cleaners are beneficial for avid riders who brave a lot of different terrains. If you maintain your own equipment, you need to have a good base cleaner in your tune-up kit.
Best Ski & Snowboard Base Cleaner: Top Picks
Here are all of my top picks for the best ski and snowboard base cleaners of the season. Every model here will provide you with excellent cleaning capabilities before applying wax.
1. PURL Eco
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Effective cleaning, biodegradable, easy-spray container, easy to use
- Recipe: Biodegradable/Non-toxic
- Scent: Unscented
- Cost: $$
PURL Eco is my pick for the best ski and snowboard base cleaner of the year. This is a high-quality option that gives you an effective way to clean your equipment quickly.
PURL uses a completely biodegradable recipe here, and that eco-friendly nod makes it an excellent pick for any skier or snowboarder who cares about the environment.
The cleaner also comes in a spray bottle, making it simple and effective to use in a hurry. Simply spray down your skis or snowboard, and wipe dry before waxing.
I wish this came in a larger size so you could stock up on it for several seasons. But other than that, it’s a solid choice all-around.
2. Demon Hyper X Universal Wax/Cleaner Combo
- Best for: Combo
- Key features: Comes with wax, effective cleaning, spray bottle, citrus scent
- Recipe: Optimal Universal Blend
- Scent: Citrus
- Cost: $$$
If you are looking for a combo pack that includes base cleaner and wax, the Demon Hyper X Universal Wax/Cleaner Combo is the way to go.
This option gives you a big one-pound block of universal wax to go along with Demon’s very effective Citrus Cleaner.
The cleaner comes in a spray bottle that makes it easy to apply to your snowboard or skis at home or on the fly.
This recipe isn’t as good for the environment as other blends, so don’t breathe in the fumes in an enclosed space. It’s effective but does use harsh chemicals.
3. Fast Wax Eco Orange
- Best for: Eco-Friendly
- Key features: Very eco-friendly recipe, good cleaning ability, versatile use, nice scent
- Recipe: Non-Toxic
- Scent: Orange
- Cost: $
The Fast Wax Eco Orange is a great base cleaner for any skier or snowboarder who wants an environmentally friendly option.
This features an all-natural, non-toxic recipe that doesn’t include harsh chemicals or compounds.
It still has excellent cleaning properties, and the light orange scent smells natural and fresh – you still don’t want to huff it in though.
This comes in a six-ounce container, which I think is a little small. That’s really my only complaint with it.
==> You can also get it on SidelineSwap.
4. One Ball Jay Base Cleaner
- Best for: Deep Cleaning
- Key features: Excellent cleaning abilities, biodegradable, easy application, nice scent
- Recipe: Biodegradable
- Scent: Orange
- Cost: $$$
The One Ball Jay Base Cleaner is one of the most effective options for removing heavy dirt and grime from your skis or snowboard.
This one features an all-natural, biodegradable recipe that is better for the environment but still packs a punch when it comes to cleaning ability.
It also has a pleasant orange scent that won’t fumigate the space you are doing your tune-up in.
This is an expensive base cleaner, mainly because you only get eight ounces. But you only need a little bit of it to clean everything effectively.
==> You can also get it on Tactics.
5. Dakine Supertune
- Best for: Value
- Key features: Good cleaning abilities, small amounts needed, citrus-based
- Recipe: Eco-Friendly
- Scent: Citrus
- Cost: $$$
The Dakine Supertune base cleaner is another recommended option that I think is a great value for any skier or snowboarder.
The reason for this is that you only need a little bit of this cleaner to provide very effective removal of dirt and other debris before you wax your equipment.
A bottle of Supertune can easily last a season or two, even if you like to tune up everything often.
It’s another more expensive eight-ounce option, but it is totally worth it for its good cleaning ability.
==> You can also get it on Backcountry or Outdoor Gear Exchange or PRFO Sports.
How to Choose Ski or Snowboard Base Cleaner
This section will highlight some essential factors to consider when choosing ski or snowboard base cleaner.
Strength
A good base cleaner needs to clean your skis or board. That means it has to be able to fight through anything you may have picked up while zipping out through the snow. An effective base cleaner has to cut through dirt and grime with ease.
Many different materials get stuck to your skis or board, and you need to ensure your cleaner can get rid of all of them. Favor tough brands with powerful ingredients that actively combat dust, dirt, and oil.
Scent
You want your base cleaner to be as non-invasive as possible. You should get a non-toxic option that dries on clean, and has little or no smell. That ensures you’ll be able to apply it as much as you need without worrying about how it will negatively affect your skiing experience.
Of all of those traits, a pleasant or no smell is perhaps one of the most important. Being able to work without wrinkling your nose is a large bonus. Many of the options here are eco-friendly and have pleasant smells to work with.
Eco-Friendly
Most of the base cleaners recommended here are designed to be more eco-friendly than options available years ago. This is an important consideration for skiers because you don’t want to harm the environment or your body.
Look for brands that say eco-friendly right on the bottle. This will let you know that the recipe doesn’t use as harsh of chemicals as other cleaners. Modern eco-friendly options can be just as effective as more chemical-based solutions.
Application Process
When getting a new base cleaner, consider how you plan to apply it. There are several cleaners out there, and they all come in different forms. That includes block, spray, oil, and cream. Pick the one that you find the easiest to apply or that will give you the least hassle.
Remember, a cleaner is only good if you can use it effectively. You don’t want to end up with a difficult product that involves a complicated process for practical use. Base cleaners should be simple to apply and dry quickly.
Useful Tips & Resources
Ski and snowboard tuning is a pretty involved process. Though a good base cleaner is something you need, owning a bottle doesn’t mean you know what to do. If you want to understand the process better, watch the video below.
Beyond the cleaning process, there are several other ways to keep your skis in good shape both in and out of season. These maintenance tips are a great way to make that happen. If you want your gear to last a long time, you need to maintain it properly.
Final Verdict
PURL Eco is my pick for the best ski and snowboard base cleaner of the season. This is a very effective option that will quickly remove dirt and grime from your equipment. It comes in an easy-to-use spray bottle and is eco-friendly as well.
If you are going to tune your skis or snowboard on your own, you need to have a good base cleaner at your disposal. All of the options you see reviewed here come thoroughly recommended and will help you get the job done right.
