No, it is not the appropriate way to use laundry detergent to wash your vehicle. Although it may appear practical, laundry detergent can degrade your car’s finish and create long-term damage. Here’s a full explanation of why laundry detergent isn’t appropriate, the dangers it poses, and better choices for cleaning your car.
Why People Think of Using Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is easily accessible. It can remove even the toughest stains from clothing. For some, this appears to be a realistic choice for car washing.
But automobiles are not clothing. Laundry detergent is intended for fabrics, not vehicle paint, coatings, or waxes. What works for clothing may harm your car’s paintwork.
What Makes Laundry Detergent Harmful to Cars?
Its exterior is composed of several layers. The clear coat, a protective coating applied to the top layer of paint, is the most fragile. It protects the paint against dirt, UV radiation, and environmental damage.
Laundry detergent contains harsh chemicals. These substances are effective on cloth, but they might degrade the clear finish of your vehicle. Over time, this causes problems.
Stripping Away Protective Wax
Most automobile owners use wax or sealants to protect their vehicle’s finish. Wax provides an extra layer of protection against dirt, water, and sunshine.
Laundry detergent is adequate to dissolve fats and oils. However, this means it will also remove wax. Without wax, the transparent coat is visible. It renders the paint more susceptible to fade, scratches, and stains.
Fading and Dullness
Detergents often contain strong surfactants and brighteners. While making clothing appear new, they have the opposite effect on automobile paint.
These chemicals erode the layer over time, exposing the paint. The outcome is a faded and dreary appearance. Your car loses its sheen and begins to appear worn out.
Increased Risk of Scratches
When washing an automobile, dirt and grime can serve as sandpaper. Car wash soaps are intended to remove dirt and give lubrication to avoid scratches.
Laundry detergent lacks this lubricating ability. Without it, the filth you’re washing may grind against the paint. Over time, scratches collect, resulting in a rough, uneven surface.
Damaging Rubber and Plastic
Your car is composed of more than just paint and metal. There are rubber seals, plastic trimmings, and chrome embellishments. These materials are vulnerable to strong chemicals.
Many detergents include additives such as bleach and brighteners. These can dry out rubber, discolor plastic, and corrode chrome. Over time, this wear and tear degrades the overall appearance of your vehicle.
Short-Term Convenience, Long-Term Damage
You may not detect any damage after using washing detergent once or twice. However, prolonged use can cause permanent damage to your car’s finish.
Repairing damaged paint or trim can be costly. Restoring faded paint may necessitate cleaning or even a fresh coat that may cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Can You Use Dish Soap Instead?
Dish soap is another popular household cleanser used on autos. It is not an excellent choice, similar to laundry detergent. Dish soap is designed to cut grease, which removes wax and can damage the clear coat.
Are Eco-Friendly Detergents Safer?
Some eco-friendly or “gentle” detergents might seem like a safer alternative. However, even these are not ideal for cars. They are still designed for fabrics, not automotive paint or finishes.
Eco-friendly detergents may not include harsh chemicals, but they lack the cleaning, lubrication, and pH balance of automotive soaps. This implies they may still produce scratches or dullness.
Conclusion
Using laundry detergent to clean your car is not a good idea. While it may appear to be a simple remedy, it can severely harm your vehicle’s paint, clear coat, and trim. Laundry detergent is too abrasive on vehicle surfaces and lacks the characteristics required for safe and effective car washing.
Instead, car wash products are created exclusively for autos. These products are mild on your car finish and help keep it looking good over time.
Car maintenance necessitates the use of appropriate instruments and techniques. Use car wash soap regularly, and protect your paint with wax or sealer. Your automobile will look better, last longer, and retain more value.
Resist the urge to use laundry detergent. The risks greatly outweigh the short-term benefits. Take the time to care for your car; it will be worthwhile.