Can Regular Household Soap Be Used to Wash a Car?

With prices of everything skyrocketing these days, many car owners are actively seeking ways to save money on car expenses. One way to do so is to switch expensive car soap with ordinary household soap, though the results may not be worth the money saved.

Types

Types of soap used to replace car soap include dish washing liquid or powder, laundry detergents or other household cleaners.

Effects

Household soap cleans a car as effectively as car soap, but may remove the car's protective wax coating and damage the car's finish.

Considerations

As long as car wax is applied after washing, household soap can be used for spot cleaning or even weekly cleaning without damage to the car's finish.

Misconceptions

Not all soaps are created equally. Dish soap, laundry soap and car soap are all designed to clean those specific items and may not deliver the best results when used for other purposes.

Bottom Line

Car soap is a matter of personal preference. Use whatever product you feel delivers the best results for the best price.

References

• Motor Trend: Car Care: The Dos and Don'ts of Car Washing
• Auto Anything: Can I Use Dishwashing Soap to Wash My Car?
• Auto Education: Washing your Car