What can I wash my car with? (And what to never use)

The safe minimum kit

You need four things: water, a pH-neutral car shampoo, a microfibre wash mitt, and a drying towel. Two buckets make it safer (the two-bucket method), but the shampoo and mitt are the non-negotiables.

• pH-neutral car shampoo — made for automotive paint
• Microfibre wash mitt — releases grit when rinsed
• Two buckets — one soapy, one rinse water
• Microfibre drying towel — prevents water spots

What to never use

Household cleaning products are formulated for kitchens and bathrooms, not paint:

• Washing-up liquid — strips wax and sealant, dries trim
• Laundry detergent or powder — harsh, leaves residue
• All-purpose sprays — can stain plastic trim
• Scouring pads or abrasive sponges — scratch paint instantly
• Old towels or t-shirts — trap grit and drag it across paint
• Petrol or solvents — damage paint and rubber

"Can I use…?" — quick answers

Hair shampoo: not advised — wrong pH for paint and poor lubricity. Baby shampoo: gentler than washing-up liquid but still not made for cars; fine in an emergency, not as a habit. Just water: better than nothing for dust, but water alone does not lift road film — and wiping a dry-ish car with water alone risks scratches.

When household options are not enough

If the car has bonded contamination — tar spots, tree sap, iron fallout — no household product will shift it safely. That needs dedicated decontamination products or a professional detail. Scrubbing harder with the wrong product just damages the paint.