Should I Wash My Car with Dish Soap?

Do you know what the best way to wash a car is? Most people have a long list of questions regarding how to clean your vehicle in Colorado properly. If you are like others, you've likely wondered - how should I wash my car? Which naturally leads you to other questions, such as what kind of soap to wash a car with? And do water spots hurt your car's paint? Phil Long is proud to serve Colorado and handle all your automotive needs. That includes taking care of your vehicle after your purchase and assisting you with any questions you have along the way. When it comes to keeping your car clean, we have the answers you've been looking for, which is why we put together these helpful car washing FAQs and tips.

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Should I Use Dish Soap to Wash My Car?

One of the most common questions we hear is - can I use Dawn to wash my car? When you are car cleaning at your home, it might be easy to reach for dish-washing detergent, but it shouldn't be put on your car. Dish soap is harsh. It can strip the wax and coating off of the paint and cause irreparable harm. Instead, stick to using car-specific soaps instead.

Which Car Soap Should I Use to Wash My Car?

So, what soap should you use to clean your car? Choose a dedicated car-wash product. These are specifically designed to use on automotive paint and are much milder than dish soap. Some of the top-recommended car wash soaps in 2020 from The Drive include Mother's California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax, Armor All Ultra Shine Wash & Wax, and Chemical Guys Bug + Tar Remover.

What All Do I Need to Wash My Car Properly?

If you want to learn how to wash and wax a car properly, you must start with the supplies you use.

• (3x) 5-gallon buckets
• (1x) Car Wash Soap/Wax
• (1x) Wheel/Tire/Rim Cleaner
• (1x) Microfiber Wash Mitt
• (3x) Microfiber Drying Cloth/Towel
• (1x) No-Streak Car Window Cleaner
• (1x) Soft Bristle Tire Brush

First, we recommend the three-bucket system. One bucket is filled with clean soapy water, while the second is used for water to clean off your mitt. The third bucket includes the cleaning product and water used on your wheels. Next, we recommend using a microfiber wash mitt. After the wash, you'll want to dry. Here we recommend a microfiber drying towel. Microfiber towels are very absorbent and clean more effectively by gripping and lifting the dirt away. Standard cotton towels tend to spread and move the dirt around instead of wiping them off your car's surface. Finally, we suggest that you can get specialized cleaning products for the windows, tire brushes with soft bristles for your rims, and high-quality wax or polish to keep your car shiny and looking brand new.

What's the Best Way to Wash My Car?

After you've gathered your car washing supplies, it's time to get started on the wash. First, hose off your car to loosen all of the dirt. Next, move to the tires. We often recommend washing the wheels first, since they are the dirtiest. Once the tires are clean and shiny, we'll start washing the car. Start at the top, wash the roof of the vehicle, and then wash the rest of the car section by section. Rinse every section as you wash it to avoid the soap drying on the paint. Finally, after you clean a section, dry the area with a clean microfiber towel, and apply a layer of car wax to finish the job.

What is the Best Way to Dry My Car After Washing?

After you wash your car, you want to put as much care into the drying process as you did the cleaning. Gather several microfiber towels and make sure that after washing each section, you wipe down the entire surface area that was cleaned. Don't allow any water to remain standing on the vehicle as it will cause harmful dry spots, and it could lead to rust or unwarranted damage. When you wash your microfiber towels, don't use fabric softener as it can become trapped in the pores and leak onto your car surface when it comes time for the next wash.

General Car Washing Tips & Things to Avoid

Aside from knowing what kind of soap to wash a car with and avoid using dish soap, there are some other tips you should consider. For example, the best place to clean your vehicle is in the shade. You don't want to have direct sunlight baking the detergents into your paint. However, you must be careful about what kind of tree you park your car underneath. After all, it does no good to clean your car if pollen, sap, and other debris fall on it afterward or during the wash. Always carefully research all of the car washing products you use to ensure the safety of your vehicle. Wash your vehicle often, at least once every 1-2 weeks. When hand washing your car, avoid washing in circles. Washing in circles can cause small circular scratches from the dirt caught between the cloth and surface (using multiple wash buckets here helps to prevent dirt getting reapplied to the car after removal by contaminating your soap bucket). It's best to wash with a horizontal side-to-side or lengthwise forward-to-back motion. If something is stuck or dried-on to your car that didn't come off during the wash, don't scrape it off. Scraping it off can cause damage to your vehicle. Get a special car gunk remover or clay bar that works to remove and eat away at the residue stuck to your car.

About Phil Long Dealerships

At Phil Long Dealerships, we are committed to helping Coloradans with all of their vehicle needs. We are the most trusted source for new, used, and CPO car sales alongside car repair service, auto body work, custom auto body work, and quality car parts. Contact us today!

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