What Soap Should You Use to Wash Your Car?

Dish soap? Car soap? Snow foam? If you're confused about what soap to use, you're not alone.

The soap you choose to wash your car makes a huge difference. It can either protect your paint—or damage it. The wrong soap can strip wax, dull your finish, or even create swirl marks. The right one will clean safely, preserve protection, and rinse clean.

Never Use Dish Soap (Here’s Why)

This is one of the biggest myths out there. Dish soap is designed to cut through grease, which makes it great for pots and pans—but awful for car paint. It strips waxes, dulls ceramic coatings, and leaves behind residue that can spot or streak.

Bottom line: Dish soap = ✖️.

What to Look for in a Good Car Soap

• pH balanced: Won’t strip wax, sealant, or ceramic coating
• Lubricating: Adds slickness to reduce swirl risk
• Foam friendly: Should work well in foam cannons or pump sprayers
• Rinses clean: No streaks, film, or residue

The Best Soap for Washing Cars: The Super Soaper

The Super Soaper checks all the boxes for a safe, high-performing car wash soap.

• pH balanced and coating-safe
• Thick, clingy foam for contactless cleaning
• High lubricity to reduce scratching
• Works in foam cannon, pump sprayer, or bucket

Soaps to Avoid

• Dish soaps: Harsh detergents ruin protection and dull paint
• Cheap car soaps from big-box stores: Often lack lubrication and may contain wax fillers that streak or haze
• High-pH degreasers: Can damage trim and clear coat if not properly diluted

Pro Tips for a Safe Wash

• Use a pre-foam or pre-soak to loosen dirt
• Wash from top to bottom in straight lines
• Use a high-pile microfiber towel like the Orange Wash Microfiber towel for safe contact washing

Related Posts:

• Best Car Wash Soap for Foam Cannons
• Best Car Soap for Foam Cannon
• Best Towel to Dry a Car Without Scratching