While you may think that using dish soap to wash your car is a smart money-saving hack, the reality is very different.
Just take a second to imagine the substances that dish soap is formulated to deal with: fat, oil, bits of food, dried sauce, and the like.
This is stubborn stuff that requires a lot of removing power. Now imagine the effect that dish soap can have on your car’s exterior.
When you think about it this way, it’s obvious that dish soap is not the best alternative to wash your car. Dish soap is so abrasive that it may even damage your car’s protective top coat.
Dish soap is also great at removing fatty substances, so if your car is waxed, this type of soap will dissolve the shield that wax creates.
Using dish soap once to wash your car may not wreak significant damage. But using this type of soap often can leave your car vulnerable to pollutants and corrosive agents.
What to Use Instead
When you wash your car, leave the dish soap on the kitchen sink. Use instead a car wash soap specifically formulated to be safe to use with automotive paint.
Among other things, car wash soaps contain lubricating additives that encapsulate dust and dirt and then make it glide across the surface of your car without damaging it.
Plus, a car wash is way gentler on your car’s paint than dish soap.
The good news is that there are lots of car wash soaps on the market, so it’s easy to find one that fits your budget.
Remember that, while using the appropriate products makes a big difference, there are other details to pay attention to when you wash your car. For example:
- Never wash your car in the sunlight.
- Use separate sponges for the tires and the body.
- Wash the tires first and then the body, proceeding from top to bottom.
- Use two buckets: one with water/car wash soap and the other with plain water to rinse your mitt/microfiber towel.
Inland Empire Autobody & Paint: Windshield Repair & Auto Detailing in Southern California
Inland Empire Autobody & Paint Inc. is a family-owned business specialized in collision repair and custom paint.
We have locations in Riverside and Moreno Valley, California. Call us (951-465-7350), contact us through our website or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information about our full range of services.