How to Give Your Car the Best Car Wash At Home

Isn’t it nice to drive up to a car wash and let a whole team of people scrub the nasty bird droppings, salt, dirt, and grime off your car? Although we understand taking your car to a car wash can be time consuming and isn’t always financially stable, we also know words like pH neutral and chassis bath may send your head spinning. We’re here to break down how to give your car the best car wash possible in the comfort of your own driveway.

In case you didn’t know, dish soap coupled with a hose does not mean you are giving your car a good wash. In fact, dish soap is a horrible option because it is incredibly harsh on your car’s paint. It will also accelerate the oxidation process, leading to a dull finish as it eats away at your car’s wax. If you need any more convincing, dish soap can also be tough on rubber, so it’s best to stay far away from using it on your car.

Your best bet is to use a car wash shampoo or soap. When it comes to which soap stands above others, we’re in favor of one that provides a deep clean while minimizing water spots. In order to leave your car spot free, the soap you choose must be pH neutral.

Mothers California Gold, for example, is a high-quality car wash soap that is guaranteed to clean your car without dulling your paint job or removing any wax from the surface of your car. It is also pH balanced, so you can say goodbye to the thought of water spots.

Once you have an appropriate soap, it’s time to purchase a wash mitt. Steer clear of kitchen rags because they will leave streaks on your car. A sponge also won’t cut it because it’s foam can damage the paint finish and create swirl marks.

A wash mitt will ensure you’re giving yourself a fighting chance at both properly cleaning and protecting your car. Many wash mitts are made of a synthetic microfiber that is specifically designed to pick up grime off your car. However, if you want something more natural, try lambs wool, which is equally as soft so it won’t scratch your car.

If you need a quick touch up, consider waterless washes, which use a special spray to clean your car. Good news, waterless wash sprays are also significantly cheaper than car washes if you’re in a financial pinch.

Our personal recommendation is Meguiar’s Ultimate Waterless Wash and Wax, the ultimate wash wax, because not only is it well-priced, but it doubles as a light wax job for your car. As the name implies, this spray adds a wax barrier to your car, giving it a nice and shiny finish.

If you can’t get your hands on a wash mitt, a microfiber towel is the next best alternative. Microfiber towels are a great option because their tiny split fibers are incredibly absorbent, making it easy to remove large quantities of dirt, oil, and grease all at once. Microfiber is also better than other materials at soaking up water, making it very effective at minimizing spots and streaks.

When it comes to why microfiber is better than a regular cloth, the size of the microfibers make it so that they easily attach themselves to tiny dirt particles, ensuring a deeper clean for particles that might be invisible to the human eye. When in doubt, opt for a thicker microfiber towel option as these are known to be better for car detailing; they may be more expensive, but trust us, it’ll be worth it.

If you want to add a sleek, shiny appearance to your car’s surface, applying a wax is the best option. Our other recommendation for an at-home car soap is Turtle Wax Zip Wash & Wax. For the exterior of your car, Turtle Wax’s formulas remove from your car while leaving behind a thick layer of protection and shine.

Turtle Wax Zip Wash & Wax also helps prevent swirls and scratches as well as removes stains and soils from your car’s exterior. Similarly, their ICE Wash & Wax provides the ultimate foam coverage and long-lasting protection. This layer of wax adds a little extra durability and a definite shine.

If you’re too tired to deal with the unruly hose or are pinched for time, Branford Car Wash & Express Lube is here to help! We know cleaning your car no matter how much research you’ve done can be hard, which is why we specialize in doing all of the hard work for you. So go ahead, find the best car wash near you today. For more information on our car wash and detailing services, visit us online.