When it comes to car cleaning products, there are a few schools of thought. There are those who go through the local garage brush wash just after filling up with fuel, as it gives them a couple of minutes to make their next call or reply to that text. Some squirt some car shampoo into a cleaning bucket and grab the kitchen washcloth with the hope of getting the job done as quickly as possible.
Then there are those with dedicated tyre cleaners and the like. They will have refined their car detailing technique so much it’s almost an art form. Or maybe you just like to go out, empty your mind, and enjoy the choreography of the cleaning dance. This will not only reveal the sparkle of the finish under the dirt and grime but will give you a degree of satisfaction too. It’s a kind of therapy, isn’t it?
It won’t do your car any harm, either. By using decent cleaning kits, you’ll not only be keeping your car looking good, but you’re also protecting the bodywork, paintwork and finish. You’re more likely to spot any scratches or chips and be able to deal with them quickly before they become problematic. All of this means that you’re adding pounds onto its value come selling time.
Best car cleaning products at a glance:
Editor’s choice: Bilt Hamber Touch-less 5L – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best ceramic shampoo: Turtle Wax Ceramic Wash & Wax Car Shampoo – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best drying towel for car cleaning: Detailers United – Hydro Hoover XL – Buy now from Amazon UK
We’ve rounded up some of the essentials to get you started on your car detailing trip. Perhaps it could give you some ideas on how to improve your cleaning sessions. Have a look at some of our favourite car cleaning products.
The best car cleaning products:
Editor's choice
It's fully biodegradable too. The Touch-Less foam is made from sugar, contains rust inhibitors, and, above all, ranks our top spot as far as cleaning effectiveness goes.
Pros
- Biodegradable formula
- Excellent and effective cleaning
Cons
- The thickness isn't the best out there
| Capacity | 5L |
| Dimensions | 37.1cm x 26.2cm x 13.7cm |
| Weight | 5.8kg |
Best ceramic shampoo
Rrp: £12.42
Rrp: £12.42
The real trick up its sleeve is the ability to build up a protective ceramic layer on the car's paint, giving it a protective shield against UV rays, water spots, and environmental pollutants. The Ceramic Wash and Wax not only adds a shine to your car's body but also protects the longevity of the paintwork.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Effective results
Cons
- It doesn't create a lot of foam
| Capacity | 1.5L |
| Dimensions | 25.5cm x 13.9cm x 7.2cm |
| Weight | 1.4kg |
Best alloy wheel cleaner
Rrp: £19.49
Rrp: £19.49
Nevertheless, the result is wonderfully clean alloys in a matter of minutes. A pH-balanced formula makes it safe to use on all wheels, even those gleamy chrome and magnesium rims.
Pros
- pH-balanced
- Easy to use
Cons
- The smell is quite strong
| Capacity | 1L |
| Dimensions | 10.16cm x 4.45cm x 26.04cm |
| Weight | 1.24kg |
Best glass cleaner
Rrp: £12.65
Rrp: £12.65
It's free of abrasives, meaning it leaves no residue after you apply it. After a light coating, you'll simply need to spread it using a microfibre cloth and turn it regularly to ensure a clear finish.
Pros
- Great value
- Easy to apply
Cons
- 500ml isn't the most generous amount
| Capacity | 500ml |
| Dimensions | 21cm x 19cm x 25cm |
| Weight | 570g |
Best all-purpose cleaner (APC)
It can also be used as a degreaser, which is a nice perk. It'll need diluting for light-duty cleaning, but nevertheless, it should serve you very well in keeping bits of your car shining.
Pros
- It's biodegradable
- Incredibly versatile APC
Cons
- Needs something to decant the product into
| Capacity | 1L |
| Dimensions | 10.16cm x 4.45cm x 26.04cm |
| Weight | 1.15kg |
Best bird poo remover
Rrp: £14.95
Rrp: £14.95
Getting rid of bird droppings couldn't get more effective with Supaguard's Bird and Bug remover. You'll need to spray the affected area, wait a few minutes and simply wipe it away. Waiting times can vary between 1-7 minutes, but the hardness of the droppings can also vary.
Pros
- Very effective at cleaning away bird droppings
- Easy to use
Cons
- Waiting times for the droppings to break down can vary
| Capacity | 500ml |
| Dimensions | 4cm x 6cm x 22cm |
| Weight | 560g |
Best tar remover
It can shift the sticky stuff in less time than it takes to boil a full kettle (around a minute) and should be safe to use on waxes and sealants. Once finished, you'll need to apply a drying towel to the cleaned area.
Pros
- Great way to shift tar spots
- Acts fast
Cons
- Can be easy to get through 500ml
| Capacity | 500ml |
| Dimensions | 6.5cm x 6.5cm x 23.5cm |
| Weight | 500g |
Best wash mitt for car cleaning
The WM2 is also made from a super soft microfibre that's designed to lather up a shampoo more effectively and features an internal foam core to keep the mitt wetter and lubricated for longer. This, of course, reduces the risk of scratches that sponges are prone to. Even when being weighed down by water, the cuffed wrist fits snugly around your wrist, and it never feels restrictive or uncomfortable. Handy when you're constantly lifting it to wash your vehicle.
Pros
- Top-quality materials
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- It'll be slightly heavier than others when wet
| Dimensions | 30cm x 20cm x 5cm |
| Weight | 100g |
Best bucket for car cleaning
Rrp: £17.73
Rrp: £17.73
The grit guard, while sold separately, is an excellent addition as it collects small bits of dirt and grit. This will not only protect your paint but also keep the water cleaner for longer. It's a little more expensive than your average household bucket, but it is large and very sturdy.
Pros
- Great quality and bucket size
- From a very reputable brand
Cons
- You'll need two buckets for the best results
| Capacity | 22L |
| Dimensions | 32cm x 32cm x 36.8cm |
Best microfibre cloth for car cleaning
These cloths are versatile, very absorbent and effective at removing dust, dirt, and grease, so they are the ideal addition to your car cleaning kit.
Pros
- Fully recycled
- Colour differentiation
Cons
- It can get stained quickly
| Quantity | 5 |
| Dimensions | 31.7cm x 15.9cm x 4.4cm |
| Weight | 130g |
Best drying towel for car cleaning
They're a garage essential, and this one from Detailers United is the ideal tool. It's a great choice for even the most delicate part of your paintwork, and it has a deep pile to ensure the water is as absorbed as possible when applied.
Pros
- Soft and effective towel for drying
- Large size
Cons
- It will need to be washed regularly
| Dimensions | 70cm x 50cm x 0.1cm |
| Weight | 1.2kg |
How to get the best out of your car cleaning products?
Firstly, understand the differences between various detailing products and their appropriate applications to achieve the best results. And remember, patience and attention to detail are essential qualities for a professional car detailer. Take your time, follow proper techniques, and use the right car cleaning products to get that showroom-quality finish. No one knows how to clean a car better than those who do it for a living. We’ve had a look around to get some of the top tips from the detailing professionals. Investing in high-quality microfibre towels, wash mitts, and foam applicators is a must. This is to ensure that your paintwork won’t get scratched in any part of the process.
The next is the process of washing the vehicle itself. Use a two-bucket wash method – one bucket for soapy water and another for rinsing your wash mitt. This helps prevent dirt and contaminants from being reintroduced to the car’s surface. It’s always best to opt for car shampoo and other cleaning products that are pH-balanced. This will prevent damage to the car’s paint and clear coat. When polishing, use a dual-action polisher with appropriate pads and polishes to remove swirls, scratches, and oxidation. Work in small sections and avoid excessive pressure. Afterwards, apply a high-quality wax or sealant to protect the paint from UV rays, water spots, and other environmental elements.
Protect the wheels: Apply a wheel sealant to protect the wheels from brake dust and road grime build-up after cleaning with a good wheel cleaner obviously. Moreover, the result of car cleaning is dependent on shade and sunlight. Try to work in shaded areas or indoors to prevent products from drying too quickly and leaving residues. Once you’ve finished all of that, ceramic coatings are an option too. They provide long-lasting protection and hydrophobic properties, making future cleaning easier.
Alex Boyd is a Commercial Content Writer at Bauer Media writing for Parker’s and CAR, and loves travel, gardening, DIY and music.
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