PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Loans
Car Loan
Compare Car Loans with Jerry
Jerry's Expert Advice
Car Loan Guides
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
Is there a household soap I can use to wash my car?
I want to start washing my car at home, but I’m on a tight budget. What kind of household soap can I use to wash my car safely?
Matt Terzi · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
It’s great to see people washing their cars at home instead of going to carwashes. You’d be surprised to learn just how often carwashes damage cars (the short answer: often). Washing your car at home is a great way to save money, and your car can get a lot cleaner, too.
While you technically can use household soaps to wash your car, it’s not a great idea, even when the soap in question is marketed as being mild or gentle. Car paint and protective wax are easily damaged by a variety of otherwise harmless chemicals used in household soaps and detergents. It’s simply not designed to clean a car.
The special car-washing soaps you’ll find in auto parts stores are seemingly pricey, but they’re purpose-made and formulated to not destroy your car’s paint. These products do a much better job and are a lot safer to use.
If you really can’t afford that special car soap and need a budget solution—we’ve all been there—your best bet is to use a detergent-free and bleach-free dish soap, like original Dawn, and use it sparingly mixed with warm water. After washing the car, be extra careful to rinse the car thoroughly and then hand dry it with towels.
Baby shampoo can also work, and some people have reported success trying small amounts of laundry detergent heavily diluted in water. But keep in mind, these “life hack”- style remedies will never stack up to doing it the proper way, and you’re assuming some risk trying these techniques.
When money is tight, saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year on
car insurance
definitely helps. Jerry
, America’s #1 top-rated insurance app, saves users an average of $887 per year without compromising coverage. Simply download the app, answer a few questions, and you’ll see awe-inspiring quotes in a matter of minutes. Give Jerry a try today and see the savings for yourself!
MORE: Seven things to look for when buying a used car
View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
.webp&w=384&q=75)
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
