7 Great Car Wash Soap Alternatives
Having a sparkling clean car is such a fantastic feeling. But sometimes car wash soaps can be harsh, ineffective, or just plain expensive.
What if regular household products could get your car squeaky clean for less?
In this post, we’ll cover 7 great car wash soap alternatives to help you detail your car on a budget using items you may already have at home. From dish soap and laundry detergent to all-purpose cleaners, we’ll go over the pros, cons, and effectiveness of each option.
You’ll learn key factors to look for when selecting car wash substitutes as well as specific recommendations catered to your unique needs and priorities—whether that’s gentleness, cleaning power, cost-effectiveness or easy rinsing.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Why Use Car Wash Soap Alternatives?
Traditional car wash soaps do get your vehicle nice and clean. However, they can also strip protective coatings of wax over time which leads to fading and oxidation. The abrasive ingredients and brightening agents end up doing more harm than good. Not to mention many commercial soaps contain toxic chemicals we’d rather keep away from our skin and the environment.
Household cleaning products provide an effective, budget-friendly solution that allow you to avoid these downsides. While not specifically formulated for automotive surfaces, many can dissolve dirt, grease, and grime without damaging paint or finishes.
What to Look for in Car Wash Soap Alternatives
Not all household cleaners are suitable substitutes, however. Here are the key factors to consider when selecting an alternative car wash solution:
Key Criteria for Car Wash Soap Alternatives
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Gentle on Paint/Wax | Won’t strip wax or damage clear coat finishes over time |
| Removes Grime | Has enough surfactants to break down dirt and oils |
| Cost Effective | Affordable price compared to auto soaps |
| Easy Rinse | Residue rinses cleanly without streaking |
| Made for Cars | Specifically designed for automotive surfaces |
Ideally, you want an option that dissolves grime easily, is gentle on paintwork, and doesn’t leave behind a film. However, there are some trade-offs to consider depending on your priorities.
For example, while laundry detergents excel at cleaning power, they can be harsher on car surfaces compared to a baby shampoo. Finding the right balance comes down to your specific needs and preferences.
Below we cover 7 great car shampoo alternatives along with their unique pros, cons and key considerations.
7 Top Car Wash Soap Alternatives
1. Dish Soap
Dish soap is a classic choice to cut through grease and food residue caked onto plates. As it turns out, these grime-fighting abilities also make dish liquids quite effective at cleaning dirty car exteriors.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Sold at any grocery store
- Cutting power dissolves oil, grease, dirt
- Low-streaking formulas
Cons
- Can strip wax overtime
- Some fragrances leave residue
- Not thick enough for foam brushes
Key Factors
- Gentleness: Look for moisturizing formulas for handwashing dishes. Avoid antibacterial types.
- Scent: Fragrance-free is best.
- Price: As low as $1 per bottle.
For a gentle yet cleaning-powerful dish soap, we recommend Seventh Generation Dish Liquid Free & Clear. The hypoallergenic formula won’t irritate skin and has minimal scent.
2. Sensitive Skin Body Wash
Extra-gentle body washes designed for sensitive skin can also work well for lightly cleaning your car’s exterior. The key benefit is their ultra-mild ingredients clean effectively while being safe for finishes.
Pros
- Ultra gentle formulas
- Clean without stripping wax
- Moisturizers protect paint
- Pleasant scents
Cons
- Not as effective at removing heavy dirt or grease
- More expensive than dish soap
- Often lacks thick foam
Key Factors
- Gentleness: Look for moisturizing, fragrance-free, or oatmeal formulas.
- Price: $6+ per bottle.
The best sensitive skin body wash for hand washing your car is Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser. Despite its mildness, it has decent cleaning power to lift dirt without irritating paintwork.
3. Laundry Detergent
With their hardworking surfactants that pulverize stains out of clothing, laundry detergents have the muscle to scrub grime off a car’s exterior too. However, that intense cleaning power means many formulations can be too harsh for auto surfaces.
Pros
- Affordable at cents per load
- Sold virtually everywhere
- Superb at removing tough stains
- Often makes good foam
Cons
- Can strip wax protection over time
- Some leave sticky residue
- May dull paint from abrasives
Key Factors
- Gentleness: Seek out a sensitive skin formula.
- Scent: Choose a light or fragrance-free variety.
- Price: Often less than $0.20 per load.
For an ultra-mild laundry detergent that gently foams away dirt, All Free Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent is a smart choice. Despite being hypoallergenic, it still packs decent cleaning punch.
4. All-Purpose Household Cleaner
While not designed specifically for cars, many all-purpose cleaners have enough grease-cutting strength combined with paint-friendliness to work for basic vehicle washing. Just avoid acidic formulas.
Pros
- Often gentle on clear coat finishes
- Good at dissolving oil and grease
- Typically affordable
- Low-residue for easy rinsing
Cons
- May lack enough cleaning power
- Some formulas contain harmful solvents
- Brittle plastic bottlecaps prone to breaking
Key Factors
- Gentleness: Ensure it’s safe for finishes.
- Price: Often $3 to $8 per bottle.
Our top recommendation is Method All-Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner. It uses naturally-derived, biodegradable ingredients that clean gently yet effectively while leaving a nice cucumber mint scent.
5. Baby Shampoo
The gentle cleansing formulas used in the best baby shampoos allow them to safely clean delicate skin and hair. Turns out, this extreme mildness also makes them well-suited for lightly washing vehicle exteriors without damaging paintwork.
Pros
- Extra gentle on paint and clear coat
- Won’t strip away wax protection
- Leaves no sticky residue
- Tear-free for hand washing
Cons
- Won’t remove heavy grime or grease
- More expensive ounce for ounce
- Often lacks foam-boosting abilities
Key Factors
- Gentleness: Designed delicate enough for a baby’s eyes and skin.
- Scent: Most have a light, pleasant fragrance.
- Price: Around $0.20 per ounce.
For a top-rated natural baby wash that gently foams away light dirt, Earth Mama Calming Baby Shampoo is a great choice. It’s tear-free, naturally scented, and safe for sensitive surfaces.
6. Castile Bar Soap
Castile soap bars containing olive, coconut, hemp and other plant oils can make an effective car wash solution as well. Their vegetable-based formulas clean effectively while remaining gentle on surfaces. Just be sure to mix with water first before applying.
Pros
- All-natural, biodegradable ingredients
- Won’t damage clear coat or wax
- Lifts away dirt and grease
- Very affordable per wash
Cons
- Needs to be mixed into a liquid
- Can leave an oily film if not rinsed
- Bar form not as convenient to use
Key Factors
- Oil blend: Seek out olive, coconut and hemp oils.
- Scent: Light or fragrance-free varieties.
- Price: Often less than $1 per bar.
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap dilutes easily into a gentle, cleaning car wash solution. At just $0.10 per ounce, it outperforms soaps costing 10X more.
7. Chemical Guys Car Soap
Alright, this one cheating a bit since Chemical Guys Mr. Pink is actually designed for washing vehicles. But it costs a fraction of premium car shampoos while out-cleaning most. This pro-grade formula dissolving grime easily without stripping wax makes it a top money-saving choice.
Pros
- Car wash-grade cleaning power
- Won’t damage paint or finishes
- Cuts through grease and dirt
- Decent foaming properties
Cons
- Not as versatile as all-purpose cleaners
- Needs to be diluted properly
- Scent not pleasing to everyone
Key Factors
- Cleaning power: Pro-grade surfactants cut through dirt.
- Dilution: Mixes at mere 1 ounce per 5 gallons water.
- Price: Under $0.70 per ounce (bulk sizes).
Chemical Guys Mr. Pink is highly effective, affordable auto shampoo able to tackle tougher grime while remaining wax and finish safe. It’s our #1 money-saving pick.
Choosing the Best Car Wash Soap Alternative For You
With so many home cleaning products that can substitute for traditional auto shampoo, deciding which option to use largely depends on your priorities:
Best Car Wash Soap Alternative If Seeking…
| Priority | Recommended Alternative |
|---|---|
| Extreme Affordability | Dish Soap or Laundry Detergent |
| Gentleness on Finishes | Baby Shampoo or Body Wash |
| Removing Heavy Grime | Laundry Detergent or Chemical Guys |
| All-Natural Ingredients | Castile Bar Soap |
| multifunctional Cleaner | All-Purpose Household Solution |
| Optimal Car Cleaning | Chemical Guys Mr Pink |
Ultimately, Chemical Guys Mr Pink shines as best car soap alternative overall. The pro-grade formula has cleaning muscle that rivals premium washes, safely lifts dirt and grease, and costs a fraction at under $0.70 per ounce.
For extreme budget detailing, dish soap and laundry detergent get the job done at just pennies per wash. Just be careful of potential wax stripping with extended use.
When safety for finishes is the priority, choose an extra-gentle body wash or baby shampoo to lightly clean while protecting paint.
Finally, by diluting Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid you can make an effective, all-natural wash solution easily from home.
Give These Soap Alternatives a Try
The next time your car is looking grubby, grab one of these handy household cleaners from under your sink or laundry room shelves. Chances are you’ll already have a perfect car wash substitute waiting. Just be sure to test in an inconspicuous spot first before thoroughly cleaning the rest of the exterior.
With a little trial and error, you’re sure to find one of these budget-friendly options get your vehicle sparkling clean while saving money. Dirty car from outdoor adventures? Squirted mustard on the fender? Greasy handprints on the hood? These 7 great car wash soap alternatives have got you covered.
Now that you know which household products pull double duty as auto soaps, you can have one less reason to take your car into expensive detail shops. Bring on those muddy trails and messy juice spills because you’ve got an economical cleaning solution waiting at home.
