Table of Contents
- What Is the Importance of Using the Right Amount of Soap For Car Wash?
- What is The Ratio Of Soap To Water In a Car Wash?
- How do you mix car soap and water?
- Is it OK to wash car with just water?
- Can Soap Damage Car Paint?
- What soap is OK to use on cars?
- Can I Use Baby Soap To Wash Car?
- Should You Wet Car Before Washing?
- Conclusion
How Much Soap Should You Use to Wash Your Car? The answer is more complex than you might think.
A car is not just a means of transportation but an extension of our personality and lifestyle. For many, keeping it in perfect condition is a matter of pride and love of riding.
Beyond the mechanical and performance aspects, your car’s appearance is crucial to ownership satisfaction.
One of the keys to preserving the beauty of your vehicle is regular washing.
We live in a busy world with so much hustling and bustling daily that sometimes it is hard to catch up with friends, spouses, and loved ones.
So, to catch up, my spouse and I enjoy doing activities that sometimes don’t necessarily require brain power while we chit-chat, and one of those activities is washing the cars ourselves.
Furthermore, I sometimes don’t feel like driving, and my car is dirty; at that point, I become the car washer, and one common question is how much soap to use during car washing.
Well, you’re reading the right article because using the right amount is crucial for both the effectiveness of the wash and the safety of your car’s finish.
Let’s Start!
What Is the Importance of Using the Right Amount of Soap For Car Wash?
Cleaning Efficiency: Using an appropriate amount of soap ensures effective cleaning by lifting dirt, grime, and contaminants from the car’s surface.
Additionally, using the right amount of soap helps conserve products, saving you money in the long run, and overusing it leaves residue on the car.
What is The Ratio Of Soap To Water In a Car Wash?
The answer to this question varies depending on factors like the car wash brand, concentration of the soap solution, and the kind of water you are using.
However, a common ratio for car wash solution is approximately 1:10, meaning 1 part soap to 10 parts water.
For example, depending on how dirty my car is, I use 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 ml) of soap for every 1 liter of water.
| Car Wash Soap | Water | |
| (soap)1:1(water) | 250 mL | 250 mL |
| (soap)1:4(water) | 100 mL | 400 mL |
| (soap1:10(water) | 45 mL | 455 mL |
| (soap)1:15(water) | 31 mL | 469 mL |
| (soap)1:20(water) | 24 mL | 476 mL |
| (soap)1:50(water) | 10 mL | 490 mL |
| (soap)1:100(water) | 5 mL | 495 mL |
Beyond the above measurement, some car wash soap manufacturers stipulate the amount to use on their products.
So, you need to experiment and see what works for you, especially if you use hard water; hard water requires more soap than the normal measurement.
Suppose you don’t have tools to measure the car wash soap, opt for this.
Pour the soap until you have a silver-dollar-sized spot on the bottom of the bucket. This is for a 5QUART bucket, though, not 5gal.
How do you mix car soap and water?
Mixing car soap and water for a car wash involves a straightforward process.
- You will need a large bucket or container to hold the desired amount of water and soap to wash your car.
- Fill the bucket with the required amount of water.
- Measure out the appropriate amount of car soap according to the recommended ratio or instructions on the packaging.
Typically, you will use a small amount of soap relative to the volume of water.
- Gently stir or agitate the water to mix the soap thoroughly. Avoid creating excessive foam or bubbles, which will consequently waste soap and make rinsing more challenging.
- Before applying the soapy water to your entire vehicle, you can do a small test spot to ensure the soap concentration is suitable.
Adjust the soap-to-water ratio if needed for optimal cleaning.
Is it OK to wash car with just water?
Washing your car with just water is generally not recommended, especially if the vehicle is more than just mildly dusty.
Water alone won’t effectively remove grease, road oils, salts, and other substances that can cling to your vehicle’s surface.
While it’s possible to wash a car without soap, doing so may be less effective and could lead to water spots or scratches.
Additionally, if your car is mildly dirty, after spraying it with water, you can go in with a glass cleaner and a clean towel to dry and clean the car.
It might not be as clean as washing with soap, but it will help with the water spots and give a better look than just using water.
Can Soap Damage Car Paint?
The short answer is No! Using an appropriate car wash soap under normal conditions would not damage your paint.
However, some people default to dishwashing liquid for their car wash.
Before defaulting to Dawn Dish Soap or any other liquid dish soap, you must know why you’re washing and what kind of dirt is on your car.
To clarify, there are two types of dirt: water-soluble dirt in the form of dust, soil, and road dirt, and grease oil tar-based type of dirt.
Understand that most of the dirt you will find on your car is essentially water soluble in the form of normal dirt, traditional dirt, or dust.
Since dish soap will not damage your car, the greater question then becomes why do so many people warn against using Dawn dishwashing soap or any dish soap to wash your car.
A dish soap or a Dawn soap is considered a grease cutter. That’s why it’s very effective for washing dishes because much of the food you consume is going to have healthy amounts of oils and grease in it.
So, if you try to wash your dishes with a soap that is not considered a grease cutter, it won’t prove very effective.
If you want to strip the wax or sealants or have some greasy residue on your car paint, then yes, you may want to default to either Dawn dish soap or liquid dish soap.
Using dish soap repeatedly can progressively remove the car’s sealants and waxes. Do not default to dish soap to retain any form of protection on your car paint.
If, for whatever reason, you have some tree sap or pollen that your traditional dedicated car wash shampoo does not seem to be effective with, you could default to something like dish soap to clean your car, as in remove the dirt and remove any type of Grease oil-based products, with the understanding that you will need to apply some form of protection following your car wash duties.
Furthermore, you would also want to use dish soap for car washing because you probably have a pre-existing wax or sealant on your car and want to remove it before applying a different version or brand.
A dish soap comes in handy because it helps strip off car wax.
However, you need to note that not all car waxes and car paint sealants are created equal, which means that some will break down at different rates based on the formulation of the car wax or the car paint sealants.
But the rule is this when washing your car, if you accept that the bulk of the dirt is water soluble, you don’t need to overthink it.
What you’re going to be more concerned about is dedicated car wash soaps.
They’re dedicated to cars because most contain fragrances and colors that appeal to the senses. They also have lubricants in the form of silicones in their formulations.
And, that will help lubricate the dirt and encapsulate it so that the washing experience is more friendly to your car paint rather than less friendly; they won’t have surfactants with grease cutters.
What soap is OK to use on cars?
Here are some popular and highly recommended car wash soaps known for their effectiveness and safety for automotive paint:
Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash: Meguiar’s is a well-known brand in car care, and their Gold Class Car Wash is a favorite among car enthusiasts.
It contains an ultra-rich conditional to make your car look the best without compromising any pre-existing wax protection on the body, which translates to fewer cleaning chores.
It tackles even the toughest dirt and grime effortlessly, leaving your car looking amazing.
It’s non-detergent, lubricates the surface, and impacts a vibrant shine to your car exterior.
One feature that I find appealing is its adaptability to different cleaning methods, including the use of foam Cannon.
It is pH-balanced, built as a shampoo and conditional in one, designed to both wash and condition your car paint in one easy step, and it is considered one of the soapiest car shampoos available.
It also tackles even the toughest dirt and grime effortlessly, leaving your car looking amazing.
Optimum no rinse wash: Optimum no rinse wash is made for you if you want to conserve water and don’t live in an area with easy access to water.
It doesn’t come cheap and has no soapy surfactant to wash off the car paint. The unique product features palmers that bond to the paint and protect it from abrasion during the wash.
While offering greater protection and lubricant than conventional car washes, it leaves a slick and glossy finish.
Mothers California Gold Car Wash:
It creates a thick lather for efficient dirt removal and rinses off easily.
Its formula is also pH-balanced for added safety and resists water spotting.
Like other premium car shampoos, it won’t remove wax or dull the pain when used properly.
Chemical Guys Mr. Pink Super Suds Car Wash: Chemical Guys is popular for professional-grade detailing products, and Mr. Pink Super Suds Car Wash is no exception.
It is pH-balanced, produces thick foam for dirt encapsulation, is designed to be gentle on sealant and wax coatings for weekly use, has no residue or water spots, and smells delicious.
It contains glass vinyl, polished metals, rubber, and plastic trim. It’s a slick formula that easily glides off your car and helps ensure that swirls and scratches don’t appear on its surface.
What is also impressive is a little goes a long way.
Rain-X wash and wax: rain-x is a company that specializes in rain protection for windshields.
rain-x offers a high-performing and specialty car wash that is like a two-in-one. The cleaning foam dissolves and lifts dirt off the car’s surface, while soft carnabau wax helps protect your car finish.
Also, it’s biodegradable and pH balanced, so it won’t harm any external surfaces of your vehicle.
It is an ideal product for car owners who don’t care to take the time and effort to wax their car regularly. 1 ounce is mixed with a gallon of water for a spot-free shine.
Griot’s Garage Brilliant Finish Car Wash: Griot’s Garage is known for its high-quality car care products, and their Brilliant Finish Car Wash is designed to clean effectively without stripping wax or sealants.
It has a pleasant scent, produces rich foam, and features special brighteners that enhance your car’s color. It is safe to use on matte paint and vinyl wraps.
ArmorAll car wash: Armour All might best be known for its interior detailing products, but the company offers car washes well formulated specifically for car finishes.
It comes in a big one-gallon bottle, which is great for money.
Armour All’s car wash is powerful enough to remove the toughest dirt and grime without stripping your car’s wax.
It’s a clean rinsing formula that promises to leave a spot-free, streak-free finish with thick foaming action.
It’s one of the more affordable and cost-efficient car washes available. Keep in mind that it does run a bit, according to some users.
Adam’s Polishes Car Shampoo: it is tailored for foam guns or foam cannons, delivering
It is one of the highest-priced shampoos; it uses a blend of advanced cleansers and polymers to create a rich, thick head of foam during your entire washing experience.
Expect to see thick, luxurious suds when using this car shampoo, which is effective and gentle on the existing car wax or sealant.
It is also pH balance. So it works on all types of materials gently enough not to dry out your trim or any plastic components you may have on the body of your car, and it rinses off seamlessly, leaving a shine that stands up even under bright sunlight.
It’s made in the US and backed by a satisfaction guarantee.
Turtle Wax ICE Snow Foam Car Wash: Turtle Wax is a trusted name in car care. It is a foaming formula that lifts dirt and grime without scratching the paint.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on car washing and detailing trends over recent years, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of ceramic coating or a premium protectant originally only offered by professional detailers.
Ceramic coating has grown popular as a great way to protect your car’s finish for many years.
Naturally, some companies have developed ceramic-type products, piggybacking on the popularity of ceramic coatings.
One of those products is Turtle Wax, a hybrid solution. Ceramic wash and wax are infused with polymers to create a durable barrier for coated and uncoated cars.
That leaves your car surface super hydrophobic, making water beads and sheets to keep your finish nice and clean.
This car wash soap is designed for scratch-free cleaning while adding a chemical-resistant layer of protection that lasts for months.
This product can also be used with a foam cannon to make washing your car easier.
Duragloss Car Wash is a concentrated premium car shampoo.
The solution shines as it cleans and promises not to streak or spot the paint.
Duragloss says the special formula encourages a sheathing effect to leave the vehicle mostly dry.
It consists of a highly concentrated blend of mild surfactants and cleaners and does not contain acids or alkalis, so it won’t remove any durable polishes.
Can I Use Baby Soap To Wash Car?
Using baby soap to wash a car is generally not recommended for several reasons:
Lack of Cleaning Power: Baby soap is formulated to be gentle on delicate baby skin and does not have the cleaning power to effectively remove dirt, grime, and contaminants from a car’s exterior.
Residue and Streaking: Baby soaps often contain moisturizers and other additives that can leave behind residues on the car’s surface, leading to streaking and a dull appearance over time.
pH Balance: Baby soaps may not be pH-balanced for automotive surfaces. Using a soap that is not pH-balanced for cars can potentially harm the paint and protective coatings.
Plus, baby soap lacks lubricant agents required to minimize friction during washing, increasing the chance of causing scratches or swirl marks.
Wax and Sealant Preservation: Baby soap is not designed to preserve wax or sealant layers on the car’s paint.
Using it strips off any existing wax or sealant protection, leaving the paint vulnerable to environmental damage.
Should You Wet Car Before Washing?
Yes, it is highly recommended to wet your car thoroughly before starting the washing process.
- Wetting the car helps to loosen and soften dirt, mud, and other debris that may be stuck on the paint’s surface.
- Water acts as a lubricant when the car is wet, reducing the risk of scratching the paint or causing swirl marks as you wash.
- Wetting the car helps to cool down the surface temperature, especially on hot days or in direct sunlight, which helps prevent soap or water from drying too quickly and leaving spots or streaks.
- Wetting the car allows the soap or car wash shampoo to spread evenly and create suds, maximizing its cleaning effectiveness.
Conclusion
When choosing a car wash soap, consider the soap’s pH balance, wax compatibility, foaming ability, ease of rinsing, and specific cleaning needs.
You want to ask yourself what kind of dirt it is—is it traditional dirt or grease or road tar dirt so you know which car shampoo best suits you.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution ratios and usage to ensure optimal results and protect your car’s paint and finish.
Also, remember the adverse effects of dish liquid soap for car wash duties. Remember to wash in the shade, not in sunlight, for the best results.
