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The best waterless car wash 2023

  • Water isn't always in abundance - sometimes, the levee really is dry
  • To achieve a clean car without using litres of water you need a waterless car wash
  • We've picked some of our favourites so you can get cleaning

Written by Ryan Gilmore Updated: 27 September 2023

It’s difficult to underestimate the importance of water when it comes to car cleaning. But what if there’s a hosepipe ban, or you simply don’t have access to a tap and running water? It’s here where the best waterless car wash makes so much sense.

As the name suggests, these products require either a reduced amount of water or no water at all in order to clean a car. Often sold as sprays or wipes, these are simple to apply and really easy to wipe off. Several will even claim to offer a layer of protection on the paintwork.

While a deep clean of your car is still handled best with running water and car shampoo, a waterless car wash is still a viable option for lighter cleaning duties. It’s also worth mentioning the time and water-saving benefits of waterless washes, it’s much quicker to use one of these sprays than to get busy with a wash mitt. So join us in finding the best waterless washes for fuss-free car care.

The best waterless car wash at a glance:

Editor’s pick: Greased Lightning Showroom Shine Waterless Wash & Wax – Buy now from Amazon
Best ceramic waterless wash: Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic 3-in-1 Detailer – Buy now from TurtleWax
Best for shine: SOFT99 Strong Type Fukupika Spray – Buy now from Amazon

The best waterless car wash in detail

Supplied in a generous one-litre bottle and even including a pair of microfibre towels to wipe the muck away, Showroom Shine Wash & Wax takes our top spot for waterless cleaning. It cleans a lightly dirty car without scratching and leaves behind a decent shine too, thanks to the inclusion of carnauba wax. It cleans really quickly, and this single bottle is effective on paintwork, glass and plastics. There's even a 3.78-litre refill available too, for when the time comes.

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Leaves a nice shine

Cons

  • Not so good on really dirty cars
Best ceramic waterless car wash
Taking wash and wax to the next level, thanks to the inclusion of quartz-ceramic protection technology, TurtleWax is a seriously impressive option for car care. This particular bottle works as a ceramic detailer and waterless wash, perfect for any fan of shiny paint. The waterless wash is capable of removing muck and other deposits without leaving behind scratches and supposedly polishes the paint while you're at it.

Pros

  • Offers impressive ceramic protection
  • Good selection uses

Cons

  • You'll need some microfibre towels
Quick detailers often work as more than just a bit of extra shine on a car's paintwork. Some of the stronger examples, like this Bilt Hamber example, can work effectively as waterless washes. In a 1:1 dilution ratio with water, AUTO QD works as an effective waterless wash that'll lift dirt and provide a nice gloss to the paintwork. In weaker ratios, it serves as a top-notch, quick detailer, clay lubricant or drying aid. The concentrated nature also means its excellent value for money.

Pros

  • Very good value for money
  • Incredible versatility

Cons

  • You'll need something to dilute Auto-QD into

A very versatile product hailing from Japan, Soft99's Fukupika is predominantly a quick detailer but is just at home as a waterless wash. An effective gloss enhancer, Fukupika is also excellent for cleaning away light dirt from a car thanks to its excellent lubrication and dirt-trapping properties. To top it all off, Fukupika makes use of fluoropolymers to leave behind outstanding hydrophobic properties and keep your car protected.

Pros

  • Affordable with good cleaning performance
  • Leaves a nice shine

Cons

  • Small bottle size
Best waterless car wash for wheels
Alternative Retailers
Blain Farm & Fleet
$11.99
Walmart
$12.59
Lowe's
$13.98
Wheels are the muckiest part of any car, and a regular waterless wash probably won't cut through all that grease and grime. Meguiar's Ultimate Waterless Wheel & Tire is a dedicated waterless wheel and tyre cleaner that should be able to lift brake dust and other contaminants without needing any water whatsoever. Better than that, however, it also doubles as a durable tyre dressing.

Pros

  • Easily clean the dirtiest part of the car
  • Two-in-one product

Cons

  • Only suitable for wheels
For value, not much can beat looking at Dirtbusters and its waterless car wash. Designed to be suitable for all exterior surfaces, this waterless wash also makes use of waxes to provide extra hydrophobic protection and also provide a deep shine to a car's paintwork. What's so impressive is the 5.5 litres of product included in this bundle, which also includes a proper spray bottle for applying the product.

Pros

  • Affordable with good cleaning performance
  • Leaves a glossy layer of protection

Cons

  • You'll need to store that big bottle of cleaner
Best waterless car wash on a budget
Price: $15.71
Not the most advanced option available, CarPlan's Waterless Wash and Wax may not wow you like the premium offerings, but it will come in handy in a pinch. Usable on any exterior surface, this spray will remove a light layer of dirt and leave behind a nice glossy finish complete with a smidge of hydrophobic protection. To top it all off, it even smells like candyfloss, delicious.

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Smells good too

Cons

  • Cheap trigger

Waterless car wash FAQs

How does a waterless wash work?

Waterless car wash makes use of stronger cleaning agents than car shampoos because the entire cleaning process is condensed into one step, and there’s no pressurised water to remove dirt. They’ll make use of detergents to break down dirt and make it easier to be wiped away.

Dirt encapsulation is integral to how a waterless car wash works. Iit’ll surround bits of debris, so when it comes time to lift it from the car, it won’t be dragged across the car, leaving scratches. Lubrication is core to this process, which is why most waterless washes will make use of lubricating polymers and additives to keep everything slick.

Is it more environmentally friendly than using water?

This depends on how many microfibre towels you use in the washing process. While it’s true you’ll use way less water than a traditional car wash, you’ll go through a load of towels as you wipe away residue. These towels will need washing, and you’ll more than likely use a washing machine for this task. So, no matter what, you’ll be using some water to clean your car.

How well does it work?

Many such products are sold as a wash and wax double act. The best of these are able to attend to light and medium levels of dirt while adding some subsequent shine and protection. But do remember, if you want the best levels of shine and protection, it remains advisable to stick proper polish followed by a wax, sealant or ceramic coating.

But bear in mind the time savings that you can gain from waterless car wash. A full wash can be done in 20 minutes, and a quick touch-up can be done in less than 10, indoors too if need be.

Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.

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