Updated Januari 24, 2023.
If your firearm is dirty, it might fail when you need it most. A gun can be jam as a result of dirt, dust, or rust. By cleaning your gun regularly with the best non-toxic gun cleaning solvents, you can extend the lifespan of the gun and make it safer to use.
The gun cleaners have been formulated to enter into different areas of the gun and provide that deep cleaning. But which gun cleaning solvent should you use? We have created a list of the top options to help you make a choice.
Contents
Best non-toxic gun cleaning solvent
HOPPE’S Gun Cleaner
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The Hoppe’s Gun Cleaner is an effective gun cleaning solvent that can help to loosen the grime and dirt in the interior of your gun. The alcohol-based solvent contains diethylene glycol monobutyl ether and no oils, making it easier to clean your gun without greasing your hands. After you have finished cleaning, you will only need to do the usual spot lubing of the firearm.
The gun cleaning solution contains little or no odors. It is also not harsh on the skin. Since it’s a spray, it’s also very convenient to use. All you need to do is to slightly lubricate some parts. The gun cleaning solvent is effective in removing carbon lead and copper fouling.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Effective and reliable
- Nontoxic and odorless
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Spray button jams easily
The Hoppe’s M-Pro 7 Gun Cleaner can be an effective way of removing lead, carbon, and copper fouling. Therefore, if you want to maintain the performance and reliability of your gun, you may want to consider this gun cleaning solvent.
Hoppe’s Elite Gun Cleaner
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If you are an active shooter or hunter who is searching for an odorless, non-toxic and biodegradable gun cleaning solvent, you may want to consider Hoppe’s Elite Gun Cleaner. The gun cleaner uses an odorless technology that performs better than many standard oils and cleaners.
However, it still has a little odor that is nontoxic and is similar to what you get in your average household products. You will not experience any tearing in your eyes like the harsh products.
The product gets into the molecular pores of the steel even as it cleans the copper, carbon, and lead fouling. The technology works in a way that ensures fouling doesn’t occur in the future. By regularly using this product, you can reduce the time you spend cleaning your gun.
Pros
- Nontoxic and biodegradable
- Minimal and nontoxic odor
- Faster cleaning solution
- Prevents future fouling
Cons
- Leaves a sticky residue
Since Hoppe’s Elite Gun cleaner leaves a sticky residue, you will need to wipe the residue off after cleaning up. Apart from this downside, the stuff is great for detailed cleaning of your weapon.
Hoppe’s 9 Gun Cleaner
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The Hoppe’s 9 gun cleaner is one of the best options for bore cleaning. It’s a good choice for removing the fouling layers, embedded carbon, and ensuring that there is no buildup of fouling in the future.
To clean your gun, all you need to do is to spray it on and allow it to sit for a little while. Unlike other cleaners that will take more than five minutes to loosen up the grime and dirt, this one will start working in less than a minute. This gun cleaner is safe and biodegradable and has no obnoxious smell.
Pros
- Reduces cleaning times
- Prevents future fouling
- No obnoxious odor
- Enhances accuracy and reliability
- Removes Copper
Cons
- Price is on the higher side
The Hoppe’s 9 cleaner can be a good choice for cleaning your gun. When you use it in combination with a copper bore brush, you will have the barrel looking pristine and completely free of carbon. It can, therefore, be a good choice for enhancing the performance and maintaining the reliability of your weapon.
Hoppe’s No. 9 Gun Bore Cleaning Solvent
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The Hoppe’s No. 9 All In One is another gun cleaning solution that is effective for its ability to remove copper fouling on the gun. Not only is it’s effective for cleaning the bore but other parts of the gun too.
The solvent is formulated in a way that enables it to penetrate deep into the gun, providing a fast and effective solution. It can be used to clean different kinds of firearms from sporting rifles, revolvers, or pistols.
The gun cleaning solvent is effective in getting rid of fouling and loosening the abrasive debris and therefore, preventing wear and tear on your firearm. It is also effective in cleaning and preventing the buildup of lead and carbon in the barrel. This helps to improve accuracy. On top of keeping the gun clean, the formula also protects it from future damages.
Pros
- Cleaner, Lubrication and Protectant
- Suitable for all guns
- Long-lasting
- Improves accuracy
- Penetrates fast
Cons
- Has a little bad odor
- Small bottleneck
The cleaning solution is formulated in a way that helps to protect your gun from damage in the future. It comes in a 32-ounce bottle that has a child-proof cap. No matter how often you want to clean your firearm, the solvent is safe to use. Overall, the Hoppe’s No. 9 All in One is effective in removing copper fouling, powder residue, brass marks, and carbons,
Bore Tech Eliminator Bore Cleaner
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The Bore Tech Eliminator Bore Cleaner is another firearm cleaning option that is completely barrel safe and biodegradable. It doesn’t have any hazards, toxins, or offensive odors. The bore cleaner is effective in removing lead and powder, especially the carbon fouling and tombak on the barrel. It will effectively remove the different layers of copper and carbon fouling accumulating on the wall of the barrels.
To protect and condition the bore of the firearm, the best bore cleaner contains a rust prevention formula that makes it the right choice for cleaning stainless steel, steel, or lined barrels. When cleaning using this product, you can soak the barrel in it and it will not destroy it.
Pros
- Safe for barrels and free of ammonia
- Easy to use
- Odorless
- Doesn’t cause rusting
- Enables the fast cleanup of your gun
Cons
- A bit expensive
Therefore, the Bore Tech Eliminator Bore Cleaner features a patented and revolutionary formula that is effective in removing copper and carbon fouling without the toxicity associated with many gun cleaners.
M-Pro 7 Copper Remover
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The M-Pro 7 Copper Remover is another patented product that helps to remove copper fouling fast, helping to improve the accuracy of your gun. It is also effective in removing any rust that has accumulated on your gun.
It contains no ammonia and no toxic and obnoxious odors that are common in petro-ammonia products. This makes it a safer product, particularly for the barrel. You can also use it safely inside your home.
The formula is a good choice for use in the slides without harming the metals. You can, therefore, leave the solvent to dry out in the barrel without causing any harm to your gun. No matter how foul your firearm may be, the gun cleaning solvent will work on it well. The gun cleaner also has a short term preventative that helps to shield and condition the bore of the firearm after the cleaning.
Pros
- Barrel safe
- Works fast
- Odorless
Cons
- More expensive than other similar products
As compared to the ammonia-based solvents, the M-Pro 7 Copper Remover will remove copper fouling faster. This is even though it’s safer to use and will not harm your steel barrels. This copper remover may be a good choice for meeting the demands of the top shooters.
Thompson Center T-17 Foaming Bore Cleaner
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If you shoot a lot, you understand that carbon can build up easily in the muzzle affecting the accuracy of your weapon. This is why you need the best nontoxic gun cleaning solvents. If you are searching for one, you may want to consider the Thompson Center T-17 Foaming Bore Cleaner.
The solvent produces a foaming action that will easily remove carbon and will leave your weapon looking new again no matter how heavy the carbon fouling may be.
It will provide a thorough clean and will get rid of any corrosive residue that is left by black powder. Besides, it smells very nice and is nontoxic even when used inside your house.
Pros
- A quick and effective solution
- Safe for the barrel metal
- Provides a deep clean
Cons
- Small bottle
Whether you want to remove stubborn carbon fouling in the throat of your rifle or would like to get rid of the bolt tails in your shotgun or AR, the Thompson Center T-17 Foaming Bore Cleaner will help you to do that. Since it’s safe for the barrel metal, you can leave it in the barrel for a few hours. When it comes to removing carbon, you can count on this solvent.
Otis Technology CLP Bottle
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Otis Technology CLP Bottle is an aggressive gun cleaning solution that contains no harmful chemicals. It’s a cleaner, lubricant, and protectant that will provide all-rounded care for your gun. The USDA-approved cleaning solution is effective in creating a dry-lubed surface on your firearm, in areas such as the bores and other hard-to-reach surfaces.
When using the Otis Technology CLP Bottle , it will create a barrier that will prevent copper and lead adherence and ensure that there are no malfunctions and stoppages. It will also enhance lubrication and prevent wear-resistance. The gun cleaning solvent is made of a safe and non-toxic formula that is safe to use on all firearm surfaces. It contains a pleasant orange smell.
Pros
- Safe and odorless
- Easy to apply with no residue
- USDA-approved
- Effective in cleaning and lubricating
Cons
- Produces a liquid squirt before the product comes out
It easy to apply the formula and it will leave no mess. The thick goopy lube will come out and stay on the surface you place it without leaving a mess and therefore, you can get the most out of your product. The solvent will melt on whichever surface you apply it as long as the part has a room temperature or is warmer. Ensure that you shake well before use or else a liquid will squirt out.
Best non-toxic gun cleaning solvent buying guide
There are several factors you need to consider when searching for a nontoxic gun cleaning solution. These include:
Firearm compatibility
Before using the solvent you should consider if the gun cleaning solution is compatible with your firearm. This is important as some cleaners aren’t supposed to be used for some firearms. Therefore read the instruction carefully before using.
Type of solvent
There are different types of solvent out in the market like ammonia based, alcoholic, spray etc. Ensure that the solvent you are purchasing fits for your guns and remove the rust quickly.
Liquid solvents
These are a great choice for removing leads, carbon, and copper residue inside the gun. However, they are messier than other options and may leave you with a greasy residue when too much is used.
Foaming solvents
This is a good choice for removing built-up residue. It is easier to apply as compared to the liquid solvent and doesn’t leave a lot of mess.
CPL cleaners
On top of cleaning firearms, CLP cleaners are designed to help protect and lubricate your weapon from corrosion. It can help you to get rid of built-up grime and debris. Avoid using too much of a CPL cleaner as this could reduce the performance of your weapon.
Quantity and cost
Before you make a buying decision, you should consider the quantity and price of the solvent you want to buy. As most of the cleaning solvent is not expensive, so you should provide importance on quality first.
Final Thoughts
There you have it: the best nontoxic gun cleaning solvents. If you own a 9mm, we recommend using one of these kits. Make sure to scan our Gun and Gun Safe Maintenance Series. It’s designed to give insights to many.