With insight from a professional detailer, our writer tested car wash kits from several leading brands to find the best ones ...

Not all soaps are created equal. We washed, rinsed, and repeated to find the best formulas for every type of detailer.

Treating your car to a regular hand-wash is a great way to monitor the car’s condition, looking for rock chips or other damage, while ensuring the soapy task is handled with care.

The best car wash soap makes a lot of long lasting suds, gets grease and dirt off, and rinses easily. See the best car wash soaps at AutoGuide.com.

But in the absence of car wash soap, some car owners swear that these other cleaning solutions are safe on paint. Hair shampoo and gentle hand soap can be used to wash your car.