What’s the best way to wash my car?
Written by Nick Cruz
In the Walnut Creek area, I commonly get the question, “Nick, what’s the best way to properly wash my car?” I love when I get this question — I get to drop some knowledge. I think everyone should know how to properly wash their car. I’ll even go as far as saying the world would be a better place if everyone did. Just imagine all those shiny, sparkly cars going down the street. Oh, the joy.
Before I go on, I want to say the tips below are written with the average Joe or Jane in mind — using a basic hose, bucket, and soap. Use this as a starting point. If you want to dive deeper, YouTube University is a great resource!
What You’ll Need:
pH-neutral car shampoo
Microfiber towels (Costco Kirkland are great)
5-gallon bucket
Hose with nozzle
Dedicated drying towel (double twisted loop is my favorite)
Step 1: Choose the Right Soap
Your car isn’t a dish, so leave the Dawn in the kitchen. Pick a car shampoo that smells good, is pH-neutral, and fits your budget. Don’t overthink brand names — most automotive soaps from reputable brands (Meguiar’s, P&S, CarPro, Turtle Wax, etc.) will do the job just fine. They clean, get sudsy, and act as a lubricant to help reduce scratching.
Step 2: Use Proper Wash Media
Don’t grab that old T-shirt from Uncle Bob’s drawer. My favorite wash media is simple microfiber towels. You can fold them into fourths, turning one towel into an eight-sided wash mitt. This lets you use a clean side on each panel, helping reduce the chance of scratching.
Step 3: Rinse the Car
Rinse your car from top to bottom with your hose. This helps remove as much dirt and debris as possible before your contact wash. Always work from top down — thanks, gravity.
Step 4: Contact Wash Using the One-Bucket Method
Fill your 5-gallon bucket with water and add 3–4 ounces of soap. Toss in 3–4 microfiber towels. Take one out, fold it into fourths, and start washing your vehicle from top to bottom. After each panel or two, flip to a clean side of the towel. When all sides are used, grab a fresh towel from the bucket. Repeat until the entire car is done.
Step 5: Final Rinse & Dry
Rinse the car again from top to bottom. Then dry with a dedicated drying towel. I recommend a large double twisted loop towel — they absorb a lot of water and cover more area quickly.
That’s it — you now know how to properly wash your car! If you want to keep it looking great all year, consider joining our Maintenance Program. It’s the easiest way to enjoy a clean, protected car in Walnut Creek, CA.
Ready to schedule a professional detailing or learn more about car care? Contact NC DETAIL today! https://www.ncmobiledetail.com/contact
