For many car enthusiasts, washing their vehicle is more than just a chore; it’s a therapeutic ritual, a way to connect with their prized possession, and a crucial step in maintaining its appearance and value. Regular car washes are essential to remove dirt, grime, and environmental contaminants that can degrade the paint and finish over time. The foundation of any effective car wash is a high-quality car shampoo, often referred to as car soap. However, with a vast array of car shampoos available on the market, selecting the best one for your needs can be overwhelming.
Car shampoos are far from being a universal product. Just as there’s a shampoo for every hair type, there’s a car shampoo formulated for different purposes and preferences. You’ll find pH neutral options, high pH shampoos for tougher cleaning, shampoos infused with wax or ceramic for added protection, and a spectrum of fragrances to enhance your washing experience. Some shampoos excel in a traditional bucket wash, while others are designed to maximize foam cannon performance.
How to Choose the Best Car Wash Shampoo for Your Needs
For the majority of car owners seeking to maintain their vehicles, a good pH neutral car shampoo is the ideal starting point. These shampoos are formulated to be gentle, possessing a balanced pH that won’t strip away existing protective layers like wax or paint sealants. The primary function of a pH neutral shampoo is to generate ample suds and lubrication. This lubrication is critical as it allows your wash mitt, sponge, or chosen wash media to glide safely across the paint surface, minimizing the risk of swirl marks and scratches. For approximately 95% of your regular washes, a pH neutral car shampoo will be your go-to product. Typically, pH neutral car shampoos fall within the pH range of 7 to 8. We will delve deeper into situations where a more potent shampoo is necessary for the remaining 5% of washes.
When dealing with paint that feels rough or gritty to the touch, you might require a shampoo with enhanced cleaning capabilities. This is where high pH car shampoos come into play. These formulations are engineered with robust cleaning agents alongside ample lubrication to tackle stubborn grime, road film, ingrained dirt, and various contaminants. High pH shampoos are excellent for initiating a thorough decontamination process for your vehicle’s paint, glass, trim, and other exterior surfaces. However, it’s important to note that frequent use of high pH shampoos can potentially diminish the longevity of your vehicle’s protective layers, including waxes, sealants, and even ceramic coatings. High pH shampoos typically register a pH level of 9 or higher.
Another factor to consider is whether you desire a car shampoo that provides a supplementary layer of protection. Certain car shampoos incorporate wax or ceramic additives. These additives not only enhance lubricity during washing but can also impart a temporary layer of protection, lasting around a week or so, to your car’s paint, glass, and wheels. While these are convenient for a quick boost in protection, dedicated protection products generally offer superior and longer-lasting results.
If your vehicle is treated with a ceramic or graphene coating, consider using a car shampoo specifically designed for coating maintenance. These specialized shampoos are formulated to prevent coatings from becoming clogged, thereby preserving the coating’s hydrophobic properties and overall performance.
Price is always a relevant consideration when choosing car shampoos. Opting for larger sizes, such as gallon or 32-ounce bottles, can significantly reduce the per-ounce cost, making your car washing routine more economical in the long run. Therefore, it’s wise to compare prices and select a shampoo that aligns with your budget.
Finally, the sensory aspect of car shampoo, such as its scent and color, can play a role in your decision. Car shampoos are available in a kaleidoscope of colors and a vast array of fragrances. From fruity and sweet to cologne-inspired and refreshing scents, you can find a car shampoo that transforms your car washing into an enjoyable and even addictive experience.
Our Favorite Car Shampoos: Tried, Tested, and Recommended
Navigating the extensive selection of car shampoos can be daunting. To simplify your choice, we’ve compiled a list of our preferred shampoos, the ones we consistently rely on in our detailing routine and keep readily accessible in our wash buckets.
Top pH Neutral Shampoos for Regular Washing
Over the years, we have rigorously tested and used a multitude of pH neutral car shampoos, incorporating over 40 different options into our detailing arsenal. The following list showcases some of our absolute favorites. These shampoos are presented in no particular order, as we highly recommend each one and believe you can’t go wrong with any of these selections.
Lithium Double Tap
Price: $27.99 – $69.00
Size: 32 ounces or Gallon sizes
Pros: Lithium Double Tap offers an exceptional sensory experience with its spa-like eucalyptus fragrance. Beyond its delightful aroma, this shampoo is incredibly slick and delivers excellent cleaning performance. The eucalyptus scent isn’t just for fragrance; it also subtly enhances cleaning power without compromising the pH-neutral balance.
Cons: Double Tap is positioned at a slightly higher price point. While it requires a few ounces to generate substantial foam in a foam cannon, the overall washing experience justifies the cost. For cost-effectiveness, purchasing the gallon size is recommended.
KochChemie Gsf (Gentle Snow Foam)
Price: $27.99 – $92.99
Size: 1 Liter or 5 Liters
Pros: KochChemie Gsf is a highly concentrated shampoo that excels in both foam cannons and bucket washes. Its versatility and concentration make it a favorite among professional detailers and enthusiasts alike.
Cons: Gsf is a premium car shampoo with a higher upfront cost and is only available in larger sizes, which may not be ideal for occasional users.
Owners Pride Ultra Wash
Price: $14.99 – $49.99
Size: 16 Ounces – 1 Gallon
Pros: Owners Pride Ultra Wash is renowned for its incredible concentration. Just half an ounce of this shampoo produces a copious amount of rich foam, especially when used with a foam cannon. Its foaming capabilities are truly impressive for a pH neutral soap.
Cons: While the scent is undeniably appealing, it’s a reminder that this car shampoo is for external use only – resist the temptation to drink it!
CarPro Reset
Price: $15.99 to $89.99
Size: 17 Ounces, 34 Ounces, and 1 Gallon
Pros: CarPro Reset is widely regarded as one of the best car shampoos, particularly for vehicles with ceramic coatings. Its potent cleaning ability, combined with rich lather and excellent slickness, makes it ideal for contact washes. A single ounce is sufficient for 4 gallons of water, making it quite economical for bucket washes.
Cons: While Reset performs adequately in a foam cannon, achieving optimal foam requires approximately 2-3 ounces of shampoo per wash, which can increase the cost per wash when using a foam cannon.
The Detail Firm Exterior Lather
Price: $15.00 – $65.00
Size: 12 Ounces, 25 Ounces, 3 Liters
Pros: The Detail Firm Exterior Lather boasts a refreshing Bergamot scent (resembling lime) and exceptional concentration. A mere half ounce in a foam cannon is enough to blanket your vehicle in foam. It’s also remarkably slick and performs admirably in bucket washes. The 12 and 25-ounce bottles feature luxurious packaging that sets it apart in the car care industry.
Cons: Exterior Lather is a premium-priced shampoo, but its high dilution ratio mitigates the cost concern. The 3-liter option comes in a “wine box” style container, which may not appeal to all users.
Vvash Hyper Foam
Price: $15.99 – $64.99
Size: 16 Ounces – 1 Gallon
Pros: Vvash Hyper Foam is a pH neutral shampoo with a pleasant watermelon fragrance. It’s safe for use on all vehicle surfaces and won’t compromise existing wax or sealant protection.
Cons: Hyper Foam is not as concentrated as some other shampoos on this list, meaning you’ll likely need to use a bit more product, especially in a foam cannon, to achieve desired results.
Turtle Wax Pure Wash
Price: $20.00
Size: 64 Ounces
Pros: Turtle Wax Pure Wash is a versatile and incredibly slick shampoo suitable for both bucket washes and foam cannons. It stands out as one of the slickest shampoos available and is even safe to use as a clay lubricant during decontamination. This dual functionality makes it a great value. For $20, you get a half-gallon, offering significantly more product compared to the 16-ounce bottles common among other brands.
Cons: Pure Wash is only available in a half-gallon size; a full gallon option would be even more convenient for frequent users. Currently, there are no discount codes available for this shampoo.
Armour Detail Supply Shampoo+
Price: $17.99 – $64.99
Size: 16 Ounces – 1 Gallon
Pros: Armour Detail Supply Shampoo+ is a relatively new entrant that has quickly gained popularity. It delivers excellent performance and a pleasant user experience in both bucket washes and foam cannons. A little goes a long way with this concentrated formula. Shampoo+ is making waves in the car care industry.
Cons: While slightly pricier per 16 ounces, the main drawback is its high demand and frequent sell-outs. To secure this shampoo, it’s advisable to order promptly.
DIY Detail Incredible Suds
Price: $17.99 – $74.99
Size: 16 Ounces – 1 Gallon
Pros: DIY Detail Incredible Suds is a versatile, slightly alkaline shampoo (leaning towards pH neutral) that provides exceptional cleaning power and incredible foaming action. It features a delightful grape soda scent and works effectively in both contact washes and foam cannons. Its high concentration ensures that a small amount is sufficient for each wash.
Cons: The shampoo’s thick, viscous consistency can make pouring slightly less smooth compared to thinner shampoos.
Discount Code: GLOVEBOX for 10% off
Phoenix EOD Apex Auto Wash
Price: $9.99 – $39.99
Size: 16 Ounces – 1 Gallon
Pros: Phoenix EOD Apex Auto Wash is a well-rounded shampoo that cleans effectively, foams well, and is dye-free, preventing staining of surfaces or wash media. Its affordability makes it an excellent option, particularly for detailing shops.
Cons: Apex Auto Wash is unscented, which may not appeal to users who prefer a fragranced car washing experience.
Alchemist Car Care AquaFoam
Price: $19.95 – $67.95
Size: 1 Liter – 4.5 Liters
Pros: Alchemist Car Care AquaFoam is a high pH shampoo gaining traction in the US and Canadian markets. Its increasing popularity reflects its impressive performance.
Cons: AquaFoam is considered a more premium option, and its availability can be limited due to frequent sell-outs.
Discount Code: GLOVEBOX20
All of these pH neutral shampoos excel in cleaning, provide ample slickness for safe washing, and perform well in both buckets and foam cannons.
Our Recommended Decontamination or Higher pH Car Shampoos
Decontamination washes are crucial for heavily soiled vehicles or those with compromised protection, such as clogged ceramic coatings. When your vehicle’s paint or wheels require extra cleaning power, a higher pH shampoo can significantly enhance wash effectiveness. Here are some of our top picks for decontamination shampoos:
Armour Detail Supply Decon Shampoo
Price: $16.99 – $54.99
Size: 16 Ounces – 1 Gallon
Pros: Armour Detail Supply Decon Shampoo is a highly effective alkaline shampoo that cleans aggressively and performs well in both bucket washes and foam cannons.
Cons: It requires a slightly higher product usage compared to Armour Detail Supply Shampoo+, so opting for the gallon size is more economical for frequent use or professional detailing.
Koch Chemie Active Foam
Price: $19.99 – $167.99
Size: 1 Liter, 5 Liters, 20 Liters
Pros: Koch Chemie Active Foam stands out with its pleasant sandalwood fragrance, making decontamination washes more enjoyable. It’s effective in both buckets and foam cannons and offers good value, even in the 1-liter bottle due to its concentration.
Cons: With a pH of 9.5, Active Foam may not be potent enough for a full strip wash or heavy decontamination in some cases.
Koch Chemie Super Foam
Price: $78.99 – $256.99
Size: 5 Liters – 20 Liters
Pros: Koch Chemie Super Foam is an extremely potent high pH shampoo ideal for decontamination and pre-soaking. It generates exceptional foam and is highly effective at removing grime and contaminants.
Cons: Super Foam is primarily available in larger sizes (5 and 20-liter jugs). While Koch Chemie recently introduced 1-liter bottles for Active Foam, a smaller size option for Super Foam would be beneficial.
Adam’s Strip Wash
Price: $14.99 – $239.99
Size: 16 Ounces, 1 Gallon, 5 Gallons
Pros: Adam’s Strip Wash is an affordable pre-soak solution designed for removing salt, dirt, and old wax. It’s available in various sizes, including large quantities, making it suitable for frequent use.
Cons: Strip Wash may not be as aggressively cleaning as some competitors on this list. However, its price point and frequent promotions from Adam’s Polishes make it a worthwhile consideration.
Labocosmetica Primus
Price: $19.95 – $67.95
Size: 1 Liter – 4.5 Liters
Pros: Labocosmetica Primus is a high pH shampoo gaining popularity in the US and Canadian markets, appreciated for its effective cleaning.
Cons: Primus is positioned as a more premium product, and its availability can be inconsistent due to demand.
Finding Your Best Car Wash Shampoo
Determining the absolute “best” car wash shampoo is subjective and depends on individual preferences, budget, desired foam level, slickness, and cleaning requirements. Our detailing arsenal includes many of these recommended shampoos, and sometimes the deciding factor comes down to personal preference, such as the scent. Ultimately, the best approach is to experiment with different car shampoos to discover what works best for you and your vehicle. We encourage you to try a variety of options and find your perfect car wash shampoo.
