At Chemical Guys, we’ve seen it all—dish soap disasters and scratch-happy scrubbing tools—you name it. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you dodge the 5 Don’ts of Washing Your Car. Avoid these common mistakes, and you’ll be on your way to a pro-level finish every single time!
Check out the links below for must-have products and How To’s to take your car care game to the next level.
#1: Don’t Use the Wrong Soap
Dish soap does not belong on your ride!
It might seem like a quick fix, but using dish soap or other household cleaners on your car is a big no-no. Sure, it’s easy to grab, but those harsh degreasers strip away your car’s protective coatings like wax, sealants, or ceramic finishes. Over time, this leads to fading paint, oxidation, and even clear coat damage.
Instead, go for a pH-balanced car wash soap designed for vehicles. Our premium Chemical Guys car wash soaps do more than just clean—they protect your paint and boost your shine, thanks to awesome additives like carnauba wax.
Check out our full lineup of Chemical Guys Car Wash Soaps & Shampoos and treat your car the way it deserves.
#2: Don’t Use Household Products to Scrub Your Car
Your vehicle is not a dish, so you shouldn't be cleaning it like one.
Household sponges, brushes, or old rags should never touch your car's surface. These abrasive tools are designed for tough surfaces like kitchenware and can leave scratches, swirl marks, or dull your paint.
The best alternative is a Chenille Wash Mitt. These mitts are soft, absorbent, and trap dirt particles safely away from your car’s surface, reducing the risk of scratches.
Your vehicle is not a dish, so don't treat it like one.
Household sponges, brushes, or old rags? Nope—those are for tough kitchen surfaces, not your car’s delicate paint. Using them can leave behind scratches, swirl marks, or even dull your finish.
The perfect alternative? A Chenille Wash Mitt! These mitts are soft, absorbent, and trap dirt particles safely, so you can wash your ride without worrying about scratches. Your paint will thank you.
#3: Don’t Skip the Pre-Rinse
A dirty ride is packed with dirt, grime, and debris—and you don't want to scrub all that into your paint.
Jumping straight into scrubbing without a pre-rinse is a rookie mistake. The dirt on your car’s surface acts like abrasives, and scrubbing without rinsing first can lead to micro-scratches.
Always start by giving your car a good rinse with a hose or the ProFlow PM2000 Performance Electric Pressure Washer to get rid of loose dirt and contaminants. For the really stubborn grime? Pre-treat with a foam cannon or pre-wash solution to loosen things up before you start washing.
Check out our line of Foam Guns & Cannons and take your car wash to the next level.
#4: Don't Scrub the Bottom of Your Car First
To wash efficiently, always start at the top and work your way down.
Why? Two big reasons:
1. The bottom of your car is way dirtier. That’s where mud and grime like to splash, so if you start cleaning the bottom and then move up, you’ll just end up transferring all that filth to the top—and that’s a sure way to damage your paint.
2. Gravity’s got your back. As you clean, all that abrasive dirt and debris is gonna flow downward, so if you start on the bottom, you’ll just be moving dirt back onto areas you just cleaned.
Stick to the top-down method, and always work in straight lines, not circles. Your paint will thank you.
For a step-by-step guide, check out: How To Wash Your Car At Home.
#5: Don’t Use Bath Towels, Rags, or Old T-Shirts to Dry Your Car
You’ve washed your car—but don’t let all that hard work go to waste by letting waster spots dry.
Don’t risk scratching your vehicle at this very last step. Using the wrong drying tools can undo everything you've just done. Cheap rags, old t-shirts, or bath towels have rough seams and are often not absorbent enough to get the job done without harming your paint.
Instead, reach for a microfiber drying towel like our Woolly Mammoth Microfiber Drying Towel. It’s gentle on paint, boasts dense microfiber strands, and is huge, so you can dry your ride quickly without worrying about scratches.
Pro tip: Pair a drying towel with a high-speed air blower to blast away water from those hard-to-reach spots and prevent pesky water spots and streaks.
Want to level up your drying game? Check out our lineup of Car Dryers & Blowers—to get rid of water.
Follow these easy but essential tips, and you’ll keep your car’s paint looking fresh, protect its value, and maintain that showroom shine every time you wash it.
Ready to take your car-washing game to the next level? Ditch the dish soap and bath towels and make the switch to professional-grade products—your car will thank you, and you’ll see the difference right away.
