Question: I need to clean my car in the next few hours, but I just realized I don’t have my usual car soap. I don’t really have time to go pick some up. Is there another good car wash soap alternative that I can throw together in a pinch?
Answer: It’s best to use a specially formulated car soap to clean your car. But if you need to wash your car, there are a few alternatives to car washing soap that you can use instead.
Best household soaps for washing your car
- Shampoo: Shampoo—especially baby shampoo—is mild enough to use on your car without damaging the finish. Just dilute it well, and consider giving your vehicle a fresh coat of wax afterward.
- Hand soap: Hand soap is a gentle method for cleaning your vehicle, although it may not be the most effective alternative to car wash soap. Use a hand soap meant for everyday use, not one for fighting tough grease.
- Dish soap: Dish soap creates a nice slick lather that can help protect your car from scratches, and it’s good at removing dirt. But it’s also slightly corrosive, so it may wear away the protective wax finish on your car. Still, but it can do in a pinch if you dilute it with plenty of water.
- White vinegar: Mix white distilled vinegar and water in equal parts for an all-natural car cleaner. Be sure to rinse well to avoid spots on your car. If you like a sudsier cleaner, add a few drops of baby shampoo to the mix.
- Baking soda: Just want to spot-clean a stain on your car? Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water, then apply it to the spot. Gently wipe it away, then rinse well—but avoid scrubbing, as the paste will be abrasive.
- Peanut butter: This surprising trick can help if you have a sticky stain like tree sap on your car. Spread a layer of peanut butter over the spot, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then buff it away with a soft cloth.
If you use any car wash soap alternatives on your vehicle, dilute them with plenty of water, avoid letting the soap sit on your car, and rinse the soap off thoroughly when you’re finished. Use soft, clean towels to dry your car when you’re finished to avoid spots.
Also, because many of these soaps can strip the wax coating from your car, it’s a good idea to apply a fresh coat of wax afterward to protect the clear coat.
Cleaners to avoid when washing your car
- Dish detergent: Powdered dish detergent may not fully dissolve, leaving grit that can scratch your car. Note that dish detergent (bad) is different from dish soap (ok).
- Laundry detergent: Laundry detergent is formulated to strip oils and dirt from clothing fibers—it’s too harsh to use on your car, and could damage its protective wax coating.
- Ammonia-based cleaners: Avoid using ammonia cleaners anywhere on your vehicle. Ammonia can damage car parts made of rubber, vinyl, chrome, and plastic. It can also wear away the wax finish, damage your paint, and degrade your window tint.
By using the proper products to keep your car clean, you’ll be helping your car look its best—and maybe retain more of its value over time.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Kevin Berry is the Senior Director of Content at Jerry and has been working in the digital content space since 2011 across the car insurance/repair, personal finance, travel and sports industries. Prior to Jerry, Kevin was a content team lead at NerdWallet overseeing the Multimedia Production and Travel Rewards teams. Previously, he worked for NBC Sports, Comcast Cable and Nike. He has a Master`s Degree from Arkansas State and a Bachelor`s from Oregon State University.
