Around here, washing your vehicle can be a real pleasure… as long as you use the right automotive cleaning products and proper techniques to save time and achieve flawless results.

In this guide, we share our best car wash tips, along with the best products for washing a car, including car shampoo, cleaning accessories, car microfiber towels, and essential tools for safe and effective cleaning.

Many people start washing their car at home with nothing more than a simple bucket of water and dish soap, thinking “it gets the job done.” If that’s the case for you, it’s best to stop right there: dish soap is not a suitable automotive cleaning product for your vehicle.

In fact, dish soap acts as a strong degreaser. It removes protective wax and reduces the shine of the paint, leaving the surface more exposed to contaminants and wear. To preserve your vehicle’s gloss and protection, it’s best to use a car shampoo specifically designed for automotive washing.

But wait that’s not all!
That’s why we always recommend the two-bucket method: one bucket with water and car shampoo, and a second bucket filled with clean water to rinse the wash mitt. For this purpose, we offer our new AB plastic bucket (AB-091365) equipped with a filter. Placed at the bottom of the bucket, the filter helps remove contaminants from the water and traps dirt particles at the bottom, preventing them from coming back into contact with the vehicle’s surface.

Additionally, if you own a pressure washer, it can greatly simplify the process by quickly removing dirt before hand washing and reducing the risk of micro-scratches.

Here’s are our key steps for an optimal car wash :

For an effective and safe car wash, start by using a concentrated car wash soap with wax, specifically designed for exterior vehicle cleaning.
On our end, we recommend Autochem Wash & Shine soap (ACH-841-01) appreciated for its formula suited to our climate conditions and its glossy, silicone-free finish. Thanks to carnauba wax, it helps restore shine and protect the paint.

Whether with a garden hose or a pressure machine, completely rinse the car.

We now move on to the full wash of the vehicle. Put on your washing mitt (PRE-810008), dip it into the bucket containing the car shampoo, and start washing the entire vehicle.
For a scratch-free car wash, it’s essential to work from top to bottom, panel by panel. This technique helps prevent small dirt particles or micro-stones—often found on the lower areas of the vehicle from getting trapped in the mitt and causing marks on the paint, especially on the hood and other highly visible surfaces.
For the same reasons, every time you need to re-soak your mitt in soapy water, rinse it first in the clean water bucket before dipping it back into the soap bucket.
If bug residue doesn’t come off with regular washing, we recommend trying our Bug Remover (ACH-812-032) Bug Remover (ACH-812-032). This ready-to-use concentrated cleaner provides a foaming action for about 30 seconds, making cleaning quick and effortless. Let it sit for a few seconds, then rinse the front of the vehicle thoroughly for a clean, streak-free result.

We also recommend our bug sponge (BUF-BSA-57)

After washing the entire body with the wash mitt, rinse the vehicle using a garden hose or a pressure washer to completely remove any soap residue. This is a key step to ensure a clean, streak-free result.

Once the exterior is perfectly clean, move on to drying the vehicle. The chamois (BC-HT-SSDC-2430) helps absorb excess water efficiently while delivering a flawless finish, without marks or water spots.

Next, clean the rims using Hi Performance (ACH-732-032) by spraying the product directly onto the wheels. This automotive cleaning product is specially designed to effectively remove grease, dirt, and built-up brake dust from hubcaps and rims.

Using a cloth or a car microfiber towel, scrub the surfaces to evenly distribute the product and lift as many contaminants as possible. Rinse the wheels immediately to prevent the product from drying on the surface.

What we especially like about this rim cleaner is its dual-action formula. It contains a blend of penetrating agents that dissolve dirt deep down, along with a rust neutralizer that activates upon contact with water during rinsing. In addition to delivering powerful wheel cleaning performance, it helps prevent rust formation, extending the life and appearance of your rims.

Next, don’t overlook cleaning your car windows. In the sunlight, you often realize just how much windows can build up streaks, dust, and various residues that reduce visibility.

The ABX Professional Triple-Strength Glass Cleaner (ABX-513000) is one of our favorite products and is among the most widely used automotive glass cleaners by professional detailers. It’s highly effective at removing stubborn grime.
It’s quick and easy to use simply spray the product onto the surface, then wipe with a cloth or a car microfiber towel to leave the glass clean, streak-free, and with optimal visibility.

As a final step to perfect your vehicle’s appearance, don’t forget tire cleaning and dressing We recommend Autochem's Autochem GO SHINE Instant Shine H2O (ACH-704-032), a silicone-free, water-based product that instantly restores shine to rubber, vinyl, and plastic surfaces.

This ready-to-use product can be applied directly to tires that are still wet, helping you save time during your car wash. Its formula contains surfactants that effectively remove road grime, leaving a clean, glossy, and long-lasting finish.
Plus, its silicone-free composition meets VOC standards, making it safe for body shops and professional environments.

There is a wide variety of automotive cleaning products on the market today for washing and maintaining your vehicle. The key is to choose products that match your needs and how often you use them.

In our opinion, this method and selection bring together economical, durable, and effective solutions to help you wash your car at home while achieving results worthy of a professional detailing shop.

And you, what are your favorite products for cleaning the exterior of your car?

For optimal and risk-free use, be sure to follow the directions on the products before using them.