Wash soap
Right pick: every wash, every car
A pH-balanced car wash soap cleans without stripping your wax, sealant, or coating. Never dish soap: it strips protection and dries out trim.
AI picks coming soonWash it right first
The biggest cause of swirl marks isn't the wrong wax. It's bad washing: dirty sponges, brush car washes, and old, stiff towels drag grit across the paint.
The fix: two buckets, a clean mitt, and a plush drying towel. Work top to bottom and rinse the mitt after every panel. The swaps below cover the rest.
Use this, not that
| ✕ Don't use | ✓ Use instead |
|---|---|
| Dish soap | pH-balanced car wash soap |
| A sponge | A microfiber or chenille wash mitt |
| One bucket | Two buckets (soapy plus clean rinse), ideally with grit guards |
| A brush car wash | A hand wash, or a touchless car wash |
| Old bath towels or a chamois | A plush microfiber drying towel, or a leaf blower |
| Washing in direct sun | Shade, or early morning or evening, so soap doesn't dry and spot |
| The same mitt for the wheels | A separate mitt and brush just for wheels and tires |
| Wiping off dust dry | Quick detailer spray with a clean microfiber |