Trust us when we tell you that nothing is better than a car that is so clean it looks like you just rolled off the car lot with it. But keeping a car to that level of cleanliness is all about the products you utilize. From tire shine to detail brushes, there is an industry built alone on the backs of those who want a clean ride.
Perhaps one of the most essential tools in cleaning your car is soap! However, not all soaps are equally created, so we have researched the best car wash soap, so you don’t have to.
But first, we want to go over what takes a car wash soap from good to great. It is not about brand or formula but how it works with you during the cleaning process. Cleaning your car can be a delightful weekend project, provided you have the right tools – the best car wash soap is the bedrock of the process.
Don’t Use Just Any Soap
Sometimes you want to clean your car with whatever soap is under the sink. Do not do this! All soaps are not created equal. A soap best used to clean up after last night’s meal is not the same as a soap that cleans the bugs from your windshield.
Car wash soaps are engineered with your car’s paint job in mind, so you do not remove the delicate protective layer from it. Be selective when picking out your car wash. Take several things into consideration, such as the size of your car and its age.
A quality car wash soap also generates a thick lather that removes any dirt or grime with agitation from a sponge or car wash mitt. Also, do not forget to understand that a small amount of car wash soap goes a long way. About 5 to 10 milliliters of soap is optimal, depending on the size of your car.
Car wash foams are also becoming en vogue due to the rise of car detailing videos on YouTube. Pair a quality foam with a pressure washer and foam cannon, and you have the makings of a professional detailing shop in your garage.
Best Car Wash Soap
With all these thoughts in place, it is time to analyze our picks for the best car wash soaps you can buy. We have several options, so look at our choices and select what works best for your ride.
Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash Soap
Meguiar has been in the car cleaning business for decades, and it is hard to go wrong with its Gold Class Car Wash Soap. With thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon, this soap is also a hit with car enthusiasts.
Meguiar’s has created a formula for a foam cannon or bucket wash. The chemicals in this soap also emphasize cleaning the most resilient dirt while maintaining the clear coat on your car’s paint job.
Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash and Wax
Many car enthusiasts frown upon multi-function formulas like this, but this product from Meguiar’s is in a class of its own. Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash and Wax is the way to go if you opt for a multi-function car wash soap.
With time being a critical aspect of washing your car, sometimes you want something that will kill two birds with one stone. This Meguiar’s product leaves your car’s coat with a pristine shine and a layer of wax to protect it from Mother Nature’s worst.
Chemical Guys Honey Dew Car Wash Soap
Chemical Guys have quietly become one of the detailing industry’s best-kept secrets. Since 1968, the brand has been developing a reputation for quality products that make any car shine as well as it did the day it came off the assembly line.
The company’s Honey Dew Car Wash Soap is of particular note because it is designed for a bucket or foam cannon. Versatility is crucial when it comes to car wash soaps. On top of that, Chemical Guys promise you a brilliant, streak-free shine that will not damage your paint.
Armor All Car Wash Soap
Armor All has been at the forefront of car washing supplies for years, with the brand becoming synonymous with a clean interior thanks to its line of interior sprays. But the brand also manufactures some of the best car wash soap. It is no surprise, but Armor All’s focus on cleanliness extends to the exterior of your car. Their car wash formula comes packed with the best chemicals to remove dirt that will not strip the wax from your ride.
Adam’s Car Wash Shampoo
Do not be fooled by the simple packaging. Adam’s Car Wash Shampoo makes up for its marketing simplicity with some of the best no-frills car wash shampoos you can buy. The shampoo is value-friendly, too, with a gallon-sized bottle that will last for months or years, depending on how often you clean your car.
Adam’s Car Wash Shampoo’s claim to fame is its focus on pH neutrality. The company says its pH-neutral formula is perfect for weekly washes.
Rain-X Spot-Free Car Wash Soap
Rain-X is another well-known brand in the car wash industry. While the company is known for its brand of windshield wipers, its rain repellant technology now extends to car wash soap. What makes this car soap special is Rain-X’s guarantee that you will not need to towel dry your car after using their product. Rain-X soap is also great for the budget-conscious car detailing enthusiast.
Conclusion
A car enthusiast can get lost among all the marketing and hoopla of car cleaning kits and soaps. Regardless, these car wash soaps are some of the best on the market today. These products cut through the crowded market and deliver a showroom-quality finish sure to make anyone take a second look at your shiny ride.
Each option provides the car enthusiast with a product focused on delivering a quality wash and protecting your car’s paint job. Trust us when we say riding around town with a clean ride is still one of the best ways to turn heads. With these products at your disposal, you are guaranteed to make your car the cleanest in the neighborhood. We are jealous thinking about it.
