8 Car Wash Soap Alternatives that are Safe & Effective

Need a safe and effective car wash soap alternative? Here are your 8 best options:

1. Baby wash
2. Liquid dish soap
3. Liquid hand soap
4. Body wash
5. Hair shampoo
6. Bar soap
7. Liquid laundry Detergent
8. Hair conditioner

These car wash soap alternatives are listed in order of our recommendation.

Considerations & Cautions When Using Car Wash Soap Alternatives

• None of these alternatives are better or equal to proper car wash soap. Whenever possible, opt for proper car wash soap.
• Most car wash soap alternatives remove the protective wax layer. After using a car wash soap alternative, apply car wax or protective sealant to your car’s paint.
• Car wash soap alternatives should not be used on an ongoing long term basis. Doing so could damage your paint.
• Do not use any soap or detergent that contains abrasive material in it. It will scratch your car’s paint or leave it looking cloudy.
• Do not use harsh chemicals on your paint. Harsh chemicals can remove the clear coat and paint from your vehicle. Harsh chemicals that will damage your paint include:
  • Ammonia
  • Phosphate
  • Chlorine
  • Triclosan
  • Coco Diethanolamine
  • Perchloroethylene (PERC)
  • Non-Petroleum Oil
  • Surfactants
  • Quarternary

8 Car Wash Soap Alternatives that are Safe & Effective

Baby Wash

Baby wash is our most recommended car wash soap alternative. Most liquid baby washes are ph-balanced and gentle enough for a new-born baby’s skin. It is non-abrasive and safe to use on your car’s paint.

Baby wash lathers well. It is excellent at removing organic material such as bugs and bird droppings.

Baby wash is a mild cleanser. It is best used for normal washing conditions. Heavily soiled vehicles would benefit from more aggressive detergents.

Use baby wash as you would normal car wash soap. Add 1-2 tablespoons of baby wash per gallon of warm water. Apply with a microfiber wash mitt in long sweeping motions. Rinse immediately. Do not allow it to dry on the surface of the paint. Dry with a blower or microfiber drying towel. Apply car wax.

Liquid Dish Soap

Liquid dish soap is the most commonly used car wash soap alternative. There is a big debate around whether dish soap is a safe car wash soap alternative. Let’s settle this once and for all.

Liquid dish soap IS safe to use on car paint as a car wash soap alternative. But, it will remove the protective wax layer leaving your paint exposed to the elements. Unprotected exposure to the elements will wear out your paint quickly. It’s not the soap that damages the paint, it’s the elements.

If you decide to use liquid dish soap to wash your car, apply a protective car wax or sealant afterwards.

Liquid dish soap is a moderate to aggressive detergent and degreaser. It can be used for normal or heavily soiled vehicles.

Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap per gallon of warm water. Apply with a microfiber wash mitt with long sweeping motions. Rinse immediately. Do not allow the liquid dish soap solution to dry on the surface of the paint. Dry with a blower or microfiber drying towel. Apply car wax.

Liquid Hand Soap

Liquid hand soap is a milder version of liquid dish soap. It is an effective degreaser, but is mild enough for frequent use on human skin.

Liquid hand soap will also remove the protective wax layer from your paint. After using this to wash your car, apply car wax to restore the protective layer.

Because liquid hand soap is in most households, it can be a good alternative to proper car wash soap. It’s also inexpensive.

Some liquid hand soaps contain lotions and moisturizers, so thorough rinsing is required. Basic, less expensive liquid hand soaps without moisturizers are better in this case.

Add 2-3 tablespoons of liquid hand soap per gallon of water. Mix well. Apply to paint surface with microfiber wash mitt. Rinse immediately. Don’t allow the solution to dry on the paint surface. Dry with a blower or microfiber drying towel. Apply car wax.

Body Wash

Body wash has a very similar chemical make-up to that of liquid hand soap. It is a mild detergent, and is an effective degreaser.

Body wash will also remove the wax layer from your paint surface. Be sure to apply car wax after washing to restore the protective layer.

As is the case with liquid hand soap, body washes often contain lotions and moisturizers. Thorough rinsing is required. Depending on the product, you might see a lingering residue.

Add 2-3 tablespoons of body wash per gallon of water. Apply with a wash mitt. Rinse thoroughly. Dry immediately with a blower or microfiber drying towel. Apply car wax.

Hair Shampoo

Hair shampoo has become a popular car wash soap alternative. It is formulated to remove dirt and oils from hair, so it will do the same on your car.

Shampoo lathers well, and is inexpensive. However, it will remove the protective wax layer form your paint, so be sure to apply car wax after.

Some shampoos contain moisturizers and other chemicals. Make sure to rinse well to minimize leftover residue.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of shampoo per gallon of water. Wash your vehicle as you would with proper car wash soap. Rinse thoroughly. Dry immediately. Apply car wax.

Bar Soap

Save those pieces of bar soap and use them to wash your car. Bar soap has degreasing properties and is a mild to moderate detergent.

Bar soap does not later well, and takes time to dissolve in water. This is not a convenient car wash soap alternative, but will work in a pinch.

Bar soap can contain moisturizers that leave a residue on your paint. Be sure to rinse well.

Dissolve a quarter of a bar of soap, or several leftover small pieces in a bucket of warm water. Wash your car as you would with proper car wash soap. Rinse and dry immediately. Apply car wax.

Liquid Laundry Detergent

Liquid laundry detergent is a popular alternative to car wash soap. Do not use powder laundry detergent as it can be abrasive and scratch your paint.

Liquid laundry detergent will remove the protective wax top coat, so you’ll need to apply a car wax after use.

One downside is that it does not lather well. It is designed that way to not fill washing machines with bubbles.

Liquid laundry detergent is not formulated for frequent use on human skin. Latex gloves are recommended while washing.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent per gallon of water. Mix well. Wash the vehicle as you would with proper car wash soap. Rinse well and dry immediately. Apply car wax.

Hair Conditioner

Hair conditioner is not a soap, making it a poor alternative to proper car wash soap. However, it is safe to use on car paint, and can leave it with a smooth finish.

Use hair conditioner to wash your car only when a mild wash is needed.

Hair conditioner contains moisturizers, emulsifiers, proteins, colourants, and fragrance. Rinse your vehicle thoroughly after washing to remove as much of that as you can.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of hair conditioner per gallon of water. Mix well. Wash your vehicle as you would with proper car wash soap. Rinse well, and dry immediately.

How to Make Your Own DIY Car Wash Soap Alternative

Here is the recipe for making your own car wash soap at home using common household items.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon baby wash
• 1/2 tablespoon liquid dish soap
• 1 tablespoon liquid laundry detergent
• 1/2 tablespoon hair conditioner
• 1 gallon warm water

Mix ingredients in a bucket until frothy.

Best Practices when Using a Car Wash Soap Alternative

• Wash Your Vehicle in the Shade: Always wash and dry your car out of direct sunlight. Sunlight and warm temperatures will dry soap and water quickly on the surface of your car, leaving water spots.
  
• Use the Two-Bucket Method: The purpose of the two-bucket method is to avoid scratching your paint with a dirty wash mitt. This is done by rinsing the dirt from your wash mitt in one bucket, and getting new clean soapy water from the other.
  
• Rinse Thoroughly: This is especially important when using car wash soap alternatives. Many of them are formulated with extra chemicals that can leave a residue on your paint.
  
• Dry Quickly: Never let your vehicle air dry after washing. Use a blower or microfiber drying towel right after washing to minimize water spots.
  
• Wash Section by Section, from Top to Bottom: As you wash, water and soap will run down your vehicle. This will loosen dirt and lubricate as you go.
  
• Apply Car Wax: Most car wash soap alternatives remove any protective wax layer on the paint. If you don’t apply wax after washing, you’re leaving your clear coat exposed to the elements. Unprotected exposure to the sun and other conditions wears out your paint prematurely.

FAQs

Is it safe to wash my car with liquid dish soap?

Yes, you can safely wash your car with liquid dish soap. However, it is an aggressive detergent and will remove any protective wax layer. If you use liquid dish soap to wash your car, you must restore the protective layer. Apply a car wax or other paint sealant. Your car’s paint will wear out prematurely when exposed to the elements with no protective layer. It is recommended that you use proper car wash soap to wash your car. If you occasionally use dish soap and wax afterwards, you should be just fine.

Can you use Windex on car paint?

No. Windex contains several chemicals that will damage your car’s clear coat. Namely, Isopropyl Alcohol and Ammonia. These chemicals not only strip away car wax, but will remove the clear coat leaving the paint exposed. Do not use Windex on car paint.

Is it safe to wash my car with Ajax or Comet?

No. Cleansers that contain abrasive particles are helpful in cleaning sinks, toilets, and showers, but not cars. Those particles make tiny scratches in your clear coat making it look cloudy over time. Stick with soaps that have no abrasive particles when washing your car.

Is it safe to use baking soda on car paint?

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is an abrasive material. It can be effective at removing scuff marks or other blemishes on your car paint. It is safe to use on your car paint for this purpose. It should not be added to any homemade/DIY car wash soaps. The abrasive material can cause tiny scratches making your clear coat look cloudy.

Is it safe to use wheel cleaner on car paint?

Yes, it is safe to use most wheel cleaners on car paint. Wheel cleaner can be used as a paint contamination solution. It is not a car wash soap alternative. Don’t let it dry on the surface. Use it in the shade. Wheel cleaners are similar to iron remover solutions which are safe for car paint.

Summary

There are several common household soaps that can serve as a car wash soap alternative. Our preferred car wash soap alternative is baby wash.

Do not use car wash soap alternatives long term, but it’s okay to use them in a pinch.

Most car wash soap alternatives remove wax and other protective layers leaving your paint exposed to the elements. This exposure will age your paint prematurely.

Do not use soaps on your car’s paint that contain abrasive particles or harsh chemicals. Abrasive material will scratch your clear coat making it look cloudy. Harsh chemicals, such as isopropyl alcohol and ammonia will damage your clear coat. Stick with mild detergents like baby wash.

Only use car wash soap alternative occasionally. Go to the store and buy proper car wash soap for best long term results. Proper car wash soaps are formulated to clean while not removing car wax or damage your clear coat. Many have additives that add protection and improve hydrophobic characteristics.

What Next?

Now that your car is clean, explore our other detailing guides to make your vehicle look even better.