Homemade Products to Wash a Car & Wheels

Wash the car with a mix of dish soap, laundry detergent and water.

Keeping your car clean does not just keep it beautiful. Cleaning your car removes harmful dirt and road debris that can scratch the paint and compromise the structural integrity of many plastics and metals. Washing the car lets you get out and enjoy warm weather. Spending a fortune on car wash products is not necessary to enjoy this activity. Making your own homemade car wash and wheel wash solution will save you money and keep your ride looking great.

Things You'll Need

• 5-gallon bucket
• 3 gallons water
• 1 cup liquid dish soap
• 12 tbsp. powdered laundry detergent
• 1 medium sized plastic container with lid or a clean used jar with lid

Instructions

1. Pour all of the liquid dish soap into the container or jar.

2. Pour all of the powdered laundry detergent into the container or jar.

3. Mix the solution thoroughly, then place the lid on the container until you are ready to use it.

4. Put 10 to 12 tablespoons of the soap mixture into the bucket.

5. Put the water into the bucket while outside. Using a hose to spray the water into the bucket helps the soap mixture create plenty of suds and also helps to mix it into the water.

6. Store the container holding the soap mixture for several more car washes.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with different brands of soaps to find the mixture that works best. If you don't notice any difference when changing brands of soap, use the cheapest soap to save more money.

References

• Gather Little by Little: Homemade Car Cleaning Products
• Kitchen Crafts & More: Homemade Car Wash Fluid