You want your SUV, convertible, or pickup to shine and need to find the best car wash soap to get the job done. Not every product on the market is designed to leave a spot-free finish after removing all the loose dirt with thick and full foam.
Table of Contents
3 Top Car Wash Soaps Comparison Chart
| Product Name | (Out of Five) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meguiar's G7101FFP Gold Class Car Wash |  | | |||
| Chemical Guys CWS20764 Extreme Bodywash & Wax Foaming Car Wash Soap |  | ||||
| Chemical Guys CWS208 Watermelon Snow Foam Car Wash Soap |  |
You want your SUV, convertible, or pickup to shine and need to find the best car wash soap to get the job done. Not every product on the market is designed to leave a spot-free finish after removing all the loose dirt with thick and full foam.
We have hunted down some of the best car wash soaps on the market and provided all the details to help you find the one that is right for your baby. Read on and learn what your car wash will and won’t do for you.
Quick Navigation
Things to Consider when Buying the Best Car Wash Soap
- Biodegradable Ingredients
- Active Foaming Action
- Concentration Level
- Easy-to-Use Container
- Wash and/or Wax
- pH Neutral
5 Best Car Wash Soap Reviewed
Things to Consider when Buying the Best Car Wash Soap
What makes one product the best car wash soap compared to another?
While many products make the same claims, the details will determine which one is truly the best for removing dirt, protecting the environment, and leaving a bright streak-free shine.
Let’s find out what you should look for when shopping for a good car wash soap.
Biodegradable Ingredients
Yes, you want your ride to shine, but you don’t want to harm your lawn or add more chemicals to the environment. Look for a good car wash soap that is eco-friendly and leaves your vehicle shiny clean.
Active Foaming Action
The best car wash soap will build up a thick lather. This works to break down the dirt on your car but also lifts it away from the finish, which allows your rinse cycle to wash it down the drain without further damaging your paint job.
If you want to use a pressure washer, make sure that it has a foam jet tip for the best results.
Concentration Level
Some car wash soaps come ready to use right out of the bottle while others are concentrated and need to be diluted before applying to your car.
A higher priced bottle may end up being the best buy when you get hundreds of washes out of one purchase while the inexpensive bottle may be used up in one shot, making it the one that empties your wallet faster.
Easy-to-Use Container
Take a good look at the jug the car wash soap sits in. It should be easy for you to measure out the small amount of product you need to get the job done without spilling.
If the jug is awkward for dispensing, think about purchasing a reusable bottle with a pour spout to save money and soap.
Wash and/or Wax
Are you looking for the best car wash soap for completing a quick rinse or do you want to add an extra layer of protection in one easy step? Some soaps include an extra wax that is nice if your ride needs a fast shining finish.
However, if you intend on adding your own wax or want to protect a high-end finish, you may not want the extra wax. Some wash & wax products will leave a haze on clear coats.
pH Neutral
pH neutral car wash soaps do not contain any acids that may cloud or scratch your car’s paint. They are also nice to your skin and don’t dry out your hands even after repeated uses.
Many professional detailers like to look for a pH neutral cleaner for their eco-friendly, paint-friendly, and people-friendly performance.
However, it is the stronger chemicals that work harder to remove rubber, tree sap, and other stubborn grime often found on your car.
5 Best Car Wash Soap Reviews
Here’s a list of the best car wash soaps on the market today:
1. Chemical Guys CWS_301 Citrus Car Wash and Gloss
On the shelf, the Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Gloss doesn’t look all that impressive. It comes in a commercial jug with a boring label and you are paying a decent price, about $22.
However, don’t let looks fool you. It is a very concentrated formula and the label says to mix one capful with 5 gallons of water-that is about two bucketfuls.
You get over 100 washes in every jug. It smells citrusy and uses only biodegradable ingredients. It produces a thick and soft foam, that does an admirable job of shining up your ride. It sounds perfect! Not quite. It is difficult to get only a capful of product out of the jug that is intended for pouring.
Chemical Guys enjoys a large following of loyal users who love this product.
Pros:
- A very versatile cleaner that can be used on many
- Biodegradable formula
- Thick foaming action
Cons:
- Big jug awkward for dispensing a couple tablespoons
- Sticks to skin and what else?
2. Meguiar’s G7101FFP Gold Class Car Wash
Meguiar’s has built their reputation on quality car care products for quality rides.
Anybody who babies their vehicle knows the name, but you do pay the price for possibly the best car wash soap. Right out of the bottle you will notice this soap is soft and silky to touch.
It builds up a robust foam using the foam cannon and leaves your car sparkling in the sunshine. It doesn’t smell like a chemical factory, but more like oranges.
The concentration is recommended 5 to 1, so it does use up the product faster than the Chemical Guys.
The cap has a handy pour spout that helps you get the right amount out with each use and doesn’t send extra soap down the drain.
However, the deep shine that lasts cannot be beaten.
What is not so nice?
It is possibly the most expensive wash on the market and you will need to dry down your ride by hand to prevent any spots, streaks, or swirls from appearing in the paint.
That is due to the conditioners in the product that look and feel wonderful, but require polishing for the best appearance.
Pros:
- Self-conditioning product leaves car clean and glossy
- Foam cannon ready
- Pleasant citrus smell
- Reputation for caring for quality car finishes
Cons:
- Expensive
- Conditioners can leave a haze unless hand dried
3. Adam’s Car Wash Shampoo
If you really want a pH neutral product, Adam’s Car Wash Shampoo may be the best car wash soap for you.
They have made their soap stand out from the crowd by creating a bright blue compound and added a candy-like Wild Berry scent.
It foams up in an instant and is safe on any surface on the car from clear coats to ceramic and metallic finishes.
Adam’s has created an entire line of dispensers and applicators, so you can really get into the brand, but it works fine with any foam jet or bucket application.
However, remember as a pH neutral product it won’t magically rinse away stubborn rubber or sap. Extra elbow grease will be needed to get rid of the tough dirt and it also does not contain the added conditioners the other premium products contain, so expect to spend some time wiping away water spots.
Finally, you pay a full third more for a product that is “better” for your car’s finish but doesn’t actually dissolve dirt. It is a good product if you are simply rinsing away a day or two of road dirt.
Otherwise, think twice before jumping onto the pH neutral cleaning claims.
Pros:
- pH neutral
- Wild Berry Scent
- Easy to use with the foam cannon
Cons:
- Excessively priced
- Often leaves spots and dirt behind when using the touchless method
4. Turtle Wax T-472R ICE Car Wash
Your parents probably used the Turtle Wax brand to shine up their cars. The new ICE car wash by this tried and true brand stands up to the reputation of affordable cleaning products that do a good job.
This bottle is not a full gallon, but only 48 oz.
However, you are not emptying your wallet to pick it up as it is priced under $8. It does contain a light wax so completes your fast wash and wax with just one pass of the sponge.
The mild soap does not strip down the existing wax, so you aren’t washing away all your hard work.
Finally, the Turtle Wax Smart Shield technology creates a barrier on your vehicle that allows water to bead and roll away instead of pooling and eating into the finish.
For best results, it is not recommended for use in your foam jet, but using the old bucket and chamois method is preferred.
If you do just wash and rinse without polishing, the wax in the product will leave a dull film over your entire machine. It is going to take some loving care to get the shine you desire and worthy of your baby.
Consider that the money you saved buying the car wash soap you will pay back with elbow grease.
Pros:
- Wash and wax product
- Does not strip previous wax
- Smart Shield technology provides improved water beading
- Super low price
Cons:
- Not a concentrate-not for use with foam jet
- May leave a cloudy residue
5. Meguiar’s Ultimate Car Wash & Wax
You might see the bottle of Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax sitting next to the Turtle Wax ICE on the shelf and think that you are better off buying Meguiar’s.
Ultimate Wash & Wax is formulated for that quick wash you want to be done once a week to keep your ride from getting too terribly dirty.
It has a pH neutral formula that is easy on your skin and your car’s finish. With a good rub down after the wash, the wax will leave behind a beautiful soft shine ready to dazzle everybody at the office.
Best of all, you will save big bucks over Meguiar’s Gold-if you pay attention to the price.
Due to Meguiar’s reputation as the best car wash soap ever made for car enthusiasts, you can often find this product priced with the quality car wash product like Gold and Chemical Guys, but you should not pay $20.
It is really an $8 product and can be found on the shelf at big box stores at that price. Like the Turtle Wax ICE, you need to give this one a good rub down for the best shine with no spots or streaks.
Pros:
- pH neutral
- Clear coat safe
- Wash and wax
- Bargain price available
Cons:
- Often priced beyond reason
- Not for cleaning overly dirty cars
- Will leave a haze–must dry with a cloth
So, Which One Is The Best Car Wash Soap?
If the price is of no concern, Meguiar’s Gold Car Wash remains the cream of the crop among the best car wash soaps. Its citrus-smelling soap creates loads of soft foam that whisks away dirt and grime while leaving behind a soft, spot-free shine.
If you want a quick rinse that maintains your beautiful wax job, check out Turtle Wax ICE Wash & Wax, just don’t forget to dry by hand for the best possible results.
Did we help you make a decision in finding the best car wash soap for your ride?
Maybe you have some experience using one of these products. Drop a comment in the section below or say something on your shared social media page.
We would love to hear from you.
Related Articles: