Choosing the Right Car Wash Soap: Does It Really Matter?

There are endless options for car shampoos. Back in the day, you had regular car shampoos and the occasional “wash and wax” shampoos. Today you have shampoos with extreme foam, ceramic protection, wax, graphene, and so on.

With all the options, does choosing the right shampoo make a difference?

To choose wisely, understanding what the point of car shampoo is makes a difference. Of course it cleans, but you want a shampoo that helps your microfiber wash mitt glide easily across the paint while removing road grime without scratching the paint.

Additives are just a bonus (or a marketing buzzword on the label).

Does "pH-Balanced" Matter?

You might have seen the term pH-balanced on a product label before. What does it mean, and is it important?

On the pH scale, numbers range from 1-14, and different elements fall along that scale. From 1 to 7, you have acids like sulfuric acid, vinegar, and lemon. 7 is neutral. Pure water has a pH of 7. Then, from 7-14, you have the alkalis, like detergents. pH 1 and pH 14 are the most acidic and most alkaline, respectively. They are both the harshest on opposite ends of the scale.  

For routine car washing, when we talk about a pH-balanced shampoo, we're generally referring to a formula that isn't strongly acidic or alkaline and is designed to clean without unnecessarily attacking the surfaces or the protection we're trying to preserve.

Some car shampoos are very good at stripping all types of road grime from your car but are equally aggressive on protective coatings like wax and ceramic coatings. pH-balanced shampoos are effective in cleaning, but their balanced chemistry allows them to be gentle on the things you want to maintain, like protective coatings.

Stick to a mild, pH-balanced shampoo for effective cleaning and the safest option for your paint over the long term.

Lubricity May Matter More Than Foam

Foam makes for great social posts, but what if I told you that it’s not the most important thing? We are conditioned to believe that the more foam, the better, and that the foam is where the cleaning happens. If we use a low-foam shampoo, it doesn't clean as well. I know this firsthand because our Detailers Finest Restowash is a low-foam shampoo. But it has a feature that all shampoos should have whether they foam a lot or not: lubricity.

An effective car shampoo is slippery and helps the wash mitt glide across the surface rather than drag, which can cause micro-marring (scratches) in the paintwork. Simultaneously, a shampoo will lift and suspend dirt on the surface, so that as the mitt glides across it, it pulls it in.

It’s worth noting that in my experience, many of the shampoos designed to produce extremely high foam tend to use more aggressive chemistry, while some of the mildest pH-neutral shampoos I’ve worked with produce considerably less foam. That doesn’t mean foam determines pH, but it’s another reason not to judge cleaning ability by the amount of suds you see.

So don’t let your brain convince you that you’re not cleaning the paint effectively if it doesn’t see tons of foam.

Shampoo With Protection vs. Shampoo Without It

Earlier I mentioned that additives are a bonus. Some shampoos contain polymers, SiO2, graphene, and other ingredients.

While these specialty shampoos have their place in detailing, they are not always necessary but act as a supplement or added protection. Just as we recommend using our Restowash on occasion to restore and maintain the ceramic coating finish on a car, it also protects its own finish. Still, it’s not a replacement for ceramic coatings, waxes, or sealants.

The most important thing is to have a staple car wash shampoo with the qualities we’ve mentioned so far:

• High lubricity

• pH-balanced

Furthermore, this type of car wash shampoo will also have the following:

• rinse well without leaving any residue

• minimize residue that can contribute to spotting

• enhance paint gloss

Concentration: Don't Assume More Is Better

When it comes to dosing out your car shampoo, it’s easy to pour into the bucket. But I highly recommend following the manufacturer’s directions, so you don’t pour too much. Rarely does anyone pour too little. Adding extra shampoo will make rinsing more difficult and waste product.

Concentration also matters when comparing price value. A lower-cost shampoo in a gallon container can cost more per wash than a more concentrated shampoo in a 16 oz bottle. So don’t be fooled by size. Read the manufacturer’s dilution instructions.

Let's Talk Dish Soap

A couple weeks back I brought up dish soap. It’s worth repeating. Do not use. Here’s why, in case you missed that article.

Dish soap is made to cut grease and food grime.  It's formulated around cleaning dishes and removing food oils—not providing the lubricity and other characteristics we want when repeatedly moving a wash mitt across automotive paint.

Same goes for laundry detergent (in case it crossed your mind).

And yes, we've all seen the commercials with the ducklings. That still doesn't make dish soap car shampoo.

So stick with a purpose-made car shampoo for the cleaning features and lubricity you need for effective car washing that delivers results you’ll love.

The Foundation Approach

Speaking of a car wash shampoo that meets the criteria we discussed, we are launching our new Foundation Series this week, which includes Car Shampoo.

The Foundation Series of products forms the foundation of great detailing. They are simple, straightforward products without buzzwords or extras.

Car Shampoo is pH-balanced, high-lubricity, rinses clean, and leaves no unnecessary residue. All while leaving behind a high gloss finish. It’s a quality weekly wash shampoo focused on cleaning, lubricity, and gloss. And it’s concentrated so a capful is all you need.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let the endless array of car shampoo options throw you off. Shampoo matters – it’s the one item every car owner must have. Just don’t overcomplicate the decision.

Look for appropriate cleaning ability, good lubricity, sensible concentration, and compatibility with your vehicle's protection.

The best car shampoo out there isn’t promising the world by doing a multitude of jobs with every wash. A quality shampoo is simple.

If it does one job really well, that’s the one you want.