Do Touchless Car Washes Work? (Pros & Cons)

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Touchless washes are fast — but do they really clean?

Do Touchless Car Washes Work? (Pros & Cons)

Do Touchless Car Washes Work? (Pros & Cons)

Touchless car washes promise a fast and safe way to clean your car without brushes that scratch. But do touchless car washes really work, or do they leave dirt behind? In this guide, we’ll break down the pros, cons, and whether they’re a good alternative to hand washing.

What Is a Touchless Car Wash?

A touchless car wash is an automated wash system that uses high-pressure water and strong detergents instead of brushes or cloth strips. Because nothing physically touches the paint, the risk of scratches and swirl marks is much lower compared to traditional drive-through washes.

Pros of Touchless Car Washes

  • No Brushes = No Scratches: Safer for paint compared to automatic brush washes.
  • Fast & Convenient: Takes 7–12 minutes.
  • Better Than Nothing: Removes loose dirt, salt, and grime when you can’t wash by hand.
  • Winter-Friendly: Great for rinsing off road salt when hand washing isn’t practical.

Cons of Touchless Car Washes

  • Strong Detergents: Harsh chemicals can strip wax or ceramic sprays like Tough As Shell.
  • Not 100% Clean: Without physical contact, stubborn dirt and road film often remain.
  • No Drying Control: Automatic blowers leave water spots, especially in sunny weather.
  • More Expensive: Usually costs $12–$18 per wash.

Touchless vs Hand Wash

Method Time Cost Results
Touchless Car Wash 7–12 minutes $12–$18 Removes loose dirt, leaves behind road film
At-Home Hand Wash 30–60 minutes $1–$5 Safest, most thorough cleaning

How to Make Touchless Washes More Effective

  1. Apply protection like Tough As Shell — it makes dirt release easier during touchless washes.
  2. Follow up at home with a quick rinse and dry to prevent water spots.
  3. Use touchless washes only as a supplement, not a replacement for proper hand washing.

Final Verdict

Touchless car washes do work for quick maintenance, especially in winter or when you’re short on time. But they don’t fully replace a hand wash. For the cleanest and safest results, use touchless washes occasionally and stick to washing at home with products like The Super Soaper for true deep cleaning.

Protect Your Car Between Touchless Washes

Touchless washes remove dirt, but protection is key. Tough As Shell Ceramic Spray keeps your car cleaner, longer.

Buy Tough As Shell Buy The Super Soaper

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