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A sensible all-around car wash soap.

An Amazon bestseller with powerful suds.

A tried-and-true name in car wash soaps.

A bargain two-in-one wash and wax combo.

A streak-free car wash soap great for all vehicles.

Thinking about using dish soap to wash your car? Think again. 

Car wash soaps, much like shampoos that we use on ourselves, are specially designed for a specific surface type to improve long-term health and prevent damage. The right soap for your car, therefore, should be chosen with care. Fortunately, our team of expert reviewers has tested the best car wash soaps on the market to help you find the right one for your vehicle.

Chemical Guys Honeydew Snow received our Best Overall pick because of its formidable cleaning capabilities at a price that won’t break your budget. Its concentrated formula makes car cleaning a breeze for the everyday motorist and will leave the surface of your car shiny and protected.

The soap’s honeydew aroma is also enticing and pairs well with its spot-free shine. 

Because the Chemical Guys Honeydew Snow soap scored well across all of our team’s review categories, we highly recommend it. It smelled amazing, and we couldn’t get enough of the snow-like foam it formed over our testing car.

Over 27,000 Amazon customers give this car wash soap an average score of 4.7 stars, with 81 percent of reviews being a perfect 5 stars. 

Many reviewers rave about the soap’s foaming abilities, likening it to a layer of snow that rests on their cars. They also like the scent that comes along with it. Many positive reviews are from car owners who used pressure washers to spray their vehicles and microfiber towels for drying. 

If you want longevity and protection with a fresh scent for your car, then the Chemical Guys Honeydew Snow car soap may be right for you. This soap is great for anyone looking to complete a basic wash of their vehicle.

Chemical Guys Mr. Pink is the number one bestseller on Amazon for car wash soaps because of its excellent grime -stopping properties. Its suds -heavy formula of slick polymers and hyper surfactants is superb at lifting dirt from vehicles, reducing the amount of time you need to spend scrubbing.

One thing we really enjoyed about using Mr. Pink was its high amount of suds produced with minimal effort .

Just over 37,000 Amazon customers have reviewed this product for an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with 79 percent of all reviews being 5 stars. Many of the positive reviews praise the Mr. Pink Super Suds cleaner for its powerful foaming ability and compatibility with waxed cars. 

While there are few negative reviews about this product, some of the positive ones recommend using a foam gun or foam cannon for the best results.

For any car owner who wants an incredibly foamy wash that won’t damage their previously waxed car, consider the Chemical Brothers Mr. Pink Super Suds Shampoo and Superior Surface Cleanser.

Coming up on its 60th birthday this year, Armor All has been a trusted name in car care for generations. It’s no wonder, then, that its Car Wash Formula stands as one of our team’s favorite car wash soaps.

While the Armor All Car Wash Formula was tough on tackling dirt and grime with its strong foam, it left a slight chemical odor.

Over 2,200 Amazon customers have given the Armor All Car Wash Formula an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, with 76 percent of reviews being 5 stars. Many of the positive reviews highlight the streak-free shine of the soap leaves and its foaminess.

One common trend among reviews is how well this soap works with the partnering microfiber sponge from Armor All , which can be purchased as a kit on Amazon .

The Armor All Car Wash Formula is suited for first-time car washers and those who don’t mind a lot of extra foam. Although the scent might not win you over, this is a perfect basic car wash soap for anyone looking for a quick rinse.

Want wax protection on your car without having to do the waxing? Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax keeps your car’s paint job looking brand new while also providing optimal protection.

Although it left a great finish on painted surfaces and created a good foam, the Meguiar’s product required some heavy stirring.   

Around 4,000 Amazon customers rate the Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax , with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. A total of 84 percent of these reviews are 5 stars, claiming the product is the ultimate wax product for getting a brilliant finish .

There are very few negative reviews of this product, but some claim that a separate wash and wax process will obtain longer-lasting results.

If you want the durability of car wax without paying for a professional detailer , Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax may be perfect for your needs. Although it takes extra time and effort to properly wash with this soap, the end result is worthwhile for any motor enthusiast.

This soap is ideal for any car owner who likes a basic wash for easy-to-handle road grime and other contaminants . Its formula is perfect for weekly washes without damaging your paint and can be purchased with a bucket and glove as a great DIY kit for beginners.

We had to scrub slightly harder with Adam’s Car Wash Shampoo than other car wash soaps we tested, but it performed well, leaving our test vehicle with great shine.

With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 2,000 Amazon reviews, Adam’s shampoo is liked among customers. A total of 86 percent of reviews are 5-star ratings, with many customers detailing how pleasant their cars shined after use.

There are not many negative reviews for this soap, but the few that exist claim the 16.0-oz. bottle is difficult to use or damages easily in shipping.

For an introduction to car cleaning products , Adam’s Car Wash Shampoo is a safe bet. Its soap may not be as tough on stains as other choices, but the value for a great wash is still worthwhile.

When buying a car wash soap, it’s important to consider the vital features that the product must have to be effective.

If you are sensitive to strong odors or have a loved one that may be, it’s important to consider how strongly a car wash soap will smell. It’s best to avoid soaps that have a chemical smell and try to use those with a more subtle, inviting scent.

A soap with a high concentration of polymers will need less water to be effective. This not only provides you with a more thorough wash but also requires a lower soap-to-water ratio so you can get more washes for less money.

Foaming car washes are better than others because foam is more effective at picking up dirt and grime than a typical waterless car wash . Lubricity is important to consider, as well, so that you can expend less effort for a better result.

Besides keeping your paintwork fresh, car wash soaps that are resistant to water spots and streaks are better for auto detailing needs. Swirl marks can be detrimental to your car’s wax job so the less, the better.

Be sure that your soap is pH-balanced before purchasing, as an unbalanced soap can cause long-term damage to your car. Also consider investing in wash products such as buckets, wash mitts , microfiber towels , and even a foam gun to perform the best possible cleanup for your vehicle. If you are worried about your environmental impact, consider a biodegradable car wash soap, as well.

The best car wash soaps in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching Amazon for top products, looking at factors like Prime shipping eligibility, customer ratings, Amazon superlatives, and prices. Our product testing team ordered the five car wash soaps that best met these standards.

A team member tested each product on a car, taking note of how much foam the soaps produced, how strong of a scent they left, the concentration of the soap-to-water ratio, and how many streaks and water spots they left behind.

Each soap was tested according to the instructions provided by its respective manufacturer. Our product review team rinsed a single dirty car with water, applied each soap to a specified area, and then rinsed again with clean water.

Before: Chemical Guys Honeydew Snow

After: Chemical Guys Honeydew Snow

Before: Chemical Guys Mr. Pink Super Suds

After: Chemical Guys Mr. Pink Super Suds

Before: Armor All Car Wash Formula

After: Armor All Car Wash Formula

Before: Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax

After: Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax

Before: Adam’s Car Wash Shampoo

After: Adam’s Car Wash Shampoo

Washing your car with household soaps such as dish soap or laundry detergent can damage your vehicle. These soaps are not formulated for use on car paint and can strip your car’s protective clear coat wax layer. Only car soaps should be used to wash your car.

Yes, but it will not be able to pick up dirt or excess grime buildup at the same level that a car soap can. Washing your vehicle with car wash soap also allows for the use of products like conditioner and wax to reinforce its protective barrier through car detailing .

Many car wash soaps have different features specific to paint types or even wash types, such as regular versus two-in-one shampoos with wax or no-rinse washes . Choosing the right soap for your car and desired wash is important, as the wrong product can cause lasting damage. 

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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