The bulk of car cleaning will involve car shampoo, so it really is important to pick the best product possible. A good car shampoo does more than simply remove grit and grime; it can protect paintwork against degradation and corrosion, add a deeper shine and reduce the risk of scratches. Put the work in with a wash mitt, and you’ll reap the rewards at resale time. But what car shampoo really is best? We assembled 10 of the best car shampoos on sale to see which really is king.
Simply washing your car with water won’t be sufficient to remove tough blemishes such as dead bugs and bird mess. Equally, you should never use washing-up liquid, which is abrasive and can strip the paint of protection and damage rubber seals. Car shampoos often create a rich foam that loosens stubborn stains and lubricates the paint surface, reducing swirl marks and helping dirt rinse easily away. It will make your job easier and leave the car cleaner; a win-win.
Choosing the right car shampoo can be confusing. Thankfully, we’ve run our trusty wash mitts through 10 car shampoos and put them through a thorough test. From filthy old hatchbacks to brand new press vehicles, we’ve pitted up the best new car shampoos against some challenging tasks.
From wash-and-wax and ceramic options to simple car shampoo – we’ve covered all bases of what’s out there and, in some cases, given the shampoos an even more thorough test. Read on for more.
The best car shampoos tested 2024 at a glance
How we tested the best car shampoos
To put it in simple terms, we assigned one car per shampoo. We believed this was a fair test because washing a full car gives the user a full evaluation of what that shampoo is like to use, apply, and how capable it is at getting dirt of the usual dirt spots.
For the wash itself, we took to each car with a wash mitt and did it all by hand. We could’ve used a pressure washer and snow foam cannon, but this isn’t representative of how most people will wash a car on their driveway. We also used two buckets – one for the shampoo, the other for the rinsing of the mitt/dirty water to ensure that our colleague’s cars weren’t going to be paint damaged by freckles of dirt.
In order to find the best car shampoo, we set several parameters to assess each shampoo by, with a score out of five for each which would feed into the overall score. Grime removal is the most important factor we looked at. For this, we’d inspect how well the shampoo would remove muck and other deposits from a test car. The quicker and more effective the shampoo was, the higher it would score.
Value for money was also chief among our top priorities here. We looked at the retail price, dilution ratio, and, importantly, whether that ratio delivered a good clean or you’d be required to use more product than printed on the bottle. A streak-free finish means that the shampoo washed away easily and didn’t dry to the car, leaving chalky white marks. After all, there’s nothing worse than cleaning a car and having it look muckier than when you started.
How easily a wash mitt would glide over the paintwork using the shampoo would determine our slickness score. The slicker it is, the less chance of accidentally causing scratches by dragging hidden bits of grit, so lubrication is key to a good car shampoo. Scent was the final metric we tested, the nicer it smelt, the higher it scored. Subjective but still an important consideration.
Verdict
There’s no escaping the value for money and cleaning ability that Bilt Hamber Auto Wash offers. For thoroughly cleaning a car, it really cannot be beaten and is my top choice. If you want a little more in the way of scent and a little luxurious treat for your car, Gtechniq GWash stood up just as well as the winner, it simply costs a bit more. Autoglym’s Ceramic Wash and Protect isn’t a traditional car shampoo, but that doesn’t matter here. The added ceramic technology is a properly clever feature that provides a nice layer of protection during the cleaning process and should really be on your shopping list.
The best car shampoos tested 2024
However, after mixing the shampoo with water, it took just a single swipe of the wash mitt to lift the dirt into oblivion. We can't stress enough how easy it made car washing look, and the quality of the wash and finish was a fine level above all its competitors, bar the benefit of a ceramic coat. The car afterwards looked like it had a fresh valet, and that was just from me, the shampoo, a pressure washer, and a couple of buckets. Nothing else was needed, and that's a statement worth trying to follow.
Aaron Hussain
Second opinion, Ryan Gilmore:
"Leave it to Bilt Hamber to knock it out of the park with its pure car shampoo. For the two things that objectively matter most, value and cleaning power, it cannot be faulted. The value is self-evident: 100 washes per bottle is exceptional, and the formula saw it effortlessly lift muck. It's not one for frills or fancy fluff. I found the scent and packaging to be water biscuit levels of plain, but that's a tiny criticism in the sea of excellence that is Bilt Hamber Auto Wash."
Pros
- Effortless wash on the hard mud
- A small amount goes a long way
- Thoroughly clean feeling on the paint
Cons
- Plain scent and packaging won't appeal to all
- It isn't quite as good value as the others
| Volume | 500ml |
| Washes per bottle | 100 |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Shampoo type | Highly concentrated |
| Scent | Waxy |
Editor's pick
Rrp: £25.99
Rrp: £25.99
But the product really came into its own when I discovered how much abuse it can take. I applied it to my Mercedes 230E before embarking on a trip to Brighton - a 471-mile round trip - before doing 240 miles the next weekend, before driving 100 miles to and from the Parkers HQ the week after. You would imagine that after all of that driving on many different roads, it would need a wash. But you'd be wrong. Sure, the car had dead bugs on the lights, windscreen, and grille. But the body remained more-or-less immaculate throughout the entire process.
Aaron Hussain
Second opinion, Ryan Gilmore:
"Ceramic is a buzzword in car cleaning circles, and if you're new to it there's no better introduction than the Autoglym. The low-foaming finish can be quite jarring at first, but there's still a slickness to each motion, albeit heavier. There's a price premium you'll pay for this ceramic protection, but the results do speak for themselves. I really recommend this shampoo if you're keen on adding protection and want to take car cleaning to the next level."
Pros
- Amazingly capable at protecting your car's paint
- It is quite smooth to apply and wash
- Lasts a long, long time between washes
Cons
- The wash process isn't as therapeutic as others (it's like applying wet wax)
- Must be avoided on windows
| Volume | 500ml |
| Washes per bottle | 33 |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Shampoo type | Ceramic |
The frustratingly sticky elements should've really been approached by a Tar and Glue remover, but the shampoo made a great effort at lifting most of it, so you won't really notice until you look very closely. As shampoos go in terms of capability and value, this is one of our favourites, and it deserves the attention of any keen detailer.
Aaron Hussain
Second opinion, Ryan Gilmore:
"This is my winner, my money would go with Gtechniq for car shampoo. GWash ticks so many boxes for a good shampoo; it's good value for money, excellent on all manner of grime (including tar spots), and nice and slick to use. Where it beats the Bilt Hamber is scent and suds. The GWash features a delicious grapefruit scent and foams up exceptionally. For someone who really enjoys the process of car cleaning and wants the best results, nothing can beat it."
Pros
- Very nice, fruity scent
- Effortless wash on the bodywork
- Very efficient in how much you need
Cons
- Bilt Hamber has the edge slightly on dirt lifting
| Volume | 500ml |
| Washes per bottle | 12-25 |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Scent | Grapefruit |
Nevertheless, it's a pH-neutral formula like the rest, and if you were looking for a quicker wash, it brought a nice, easy shine to the wheels of the Cupra Formentor test vehicle we tried it on. It made lifting road dirt, dust and dead bugs look very easy indeed. It wasn't quite as effortless per-swipe as the Bilt Hamber shampoo, but a couple of runs around the bodywork is all you need, and it had a great candy-like scent to it.
Aaron Hussain
Second opinion, Ryan Gilmore:
"You can immediately tell this is American. The sickly-sweet berry scent and gel-like formula of the pre-diluted shampoo could only be a product of the USA. What impressed me most was the effortlessness of applying this shampoo. It took slickness to the next level, like the entire car had been doused in olive oil. This also makes it economical to use, a little really goes a long way which is handy with the smaller bottle size. It's not quite up to the cleaning standard of the Bilt Hamber or Gtechniq, but it's still a really solid choice."
Pros
- Very sweet candy-like scent
- Soft, yet engaging wash with easy dirt-lifting
- Good value for money at just under £13
Cons
- Not quite as effortless as the Bilt Hamber Auto Wash
- Quantity not quite as generous as others (473ml)
| Volume | 473ml |
| Washes per bottle | Approx 16 |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Shampoo type | Pure |
| Scent | Candy |
Best premium car shampoo
The recommendation to add it to warm water is unique to shampoos we've tried and a bit annoying if I'm totally honest. But to wash with, it's up there with the very best we've tested. Not only was there that all-important slickness, but you could feel the shampoo leaving behind a waxy layer as you cleaned. A quick finger swipe between a washed panel highlighted the quality of its protective elements.
At £32 a litre, it's undoubtedly a premium way of cleaning a car, with fancy packaging and a rather delicious grapefruit scent. But it's not the best value for money, only offering approximately 16 washes per bottle.
Ryan Gilmore
Pros
- Wax-like finish from a shampoo, full of protection
- Excellent dirt-lifting abilities
- Nice to work with
Cons
- Warm water recommendation is a faff
- The value for money isn't competitive
| Volume | 1000ml |
| Washes per bottle | Approx 16 |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Shampoo type | Hydrophobic coat |
| Scent | Grapefruit |
The best value ceramic car shampoo
Rrp: £24.90
Rrp: £24.90
I must report, however, that outside of the test day, I have used this before on our family Volvo V60 as well. On both cars, it felt very shampoo-like with a hint of ceramic coating, but not as explicitly as the Autoglym product. Still though, the Volvo gets very heavy use, and three or four weeks after washing that car, the paint is still holding up very nicely in terms of ceramic protection. So for a ceramic shampoo that undercuts the Autoglym in terms of price per litre, this is a very worthy option that shouldn't be ignored.
Aaron Hussain
Second opinion, Ryan Gilmore:
"An interesting car shampoo to use. There's no doubting the value and the science that's gone into its creation, but it definitely felt cheap and cheerful next to the Autoglym. There was a similar level of slickness while washing, along with the visual oddity of no suds at all. There was also evidence of the ceramic hydrophobic layer on the car. While rinsing the car, it did sheet off more than with other cars. The lid was by far the worst of all the shampoos I tested and left my hands slick with wasted product."
Pros
- Very capable ceramic protection for heavily-used cars
- Encourages water beading and dirt slips off easily
- Very slick to clean with
Cons
- A step below the Autoglym ceramic shampoo
- Awful cap design
| Volume | 1L |
| Washes per bottle | 15ml per 5L (recommended) |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Shampoo type | Ceramic |
| Scent | Almost cherry-like |
Best car shampoo for value
Still, we applied it to our test vehicle, and while it didn't perform anywhere near as well as its ceramic offspring, it still made a good case for itself as a budget-orientated, regular-use car shampoo. If you're used to a lot of regular car shampoos that don't cost over £10, this will feel quite familiar, albeit a little step up. You have to work in the wash mitt quite a bit harder than some of the other products, but the finish was clean and shiny enough for what most people would deem perfect. It's not a detailer's choice, but it's great if you're after a quick top-up of shampoo. And at the price point, who can really complain?
Aaron Hussain
Second opinion, Ryan Gilmore:
"Sometimes basic is best, and for sheer value for money, this Autoglym deserves consideration at the very least. It really is as basic as car shampoos come, offering no extra features. The green liquid inside has a vaguely pear-like scent, but it's nothing compared to more premium examples. It doesn't do anything exceptionally well, the cleaning requries more elbow grease and the lubriaction isn't as forthcoming. However, it's not bad at all, in fact it's a dependable choice for keeping a car clean for as cheap as possible."
Pros
- Amazing value
- Perfect for routine, quick washes
- A neat pear scent
Cons
- Quality of the wash falls a bit short of others
- Lubrication could be improved
| Volume | 1L |
| Washes per bottle | 50 |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Shampoo type | Wash and wax |
| Scent | Pear drop |
The best car shampoo for gloss
Rrp: £24.00
Rrp: £24.00
What was especially nice was just how much of that glossy sense you have in your hand while running the mitt over. It soaps up and easily felt up there with the smoothest of the shampoos to wash with. It lifted dirt off like it was dust, albeit not quite on the same level of quality as our two winners, but it was the finished result that impressed us the most. If you want a sense of gloss and feel it while washing, this is the shampoo for you.
Aaron Hussain
Second opinion, Ryan Gilmore:
"Gold Class felt like an old-fashioned shampoo, and that's no bad thing. There were a lot of suds, by far the most of all cars we cleaned. This made keeping an eye on missed spots really easy, and there was good lubrication, too. The gloss it left in my car's paintwork was stunning, a really deep shine that made me question whether it contained waxes. However, it had by far the least amount of concentration, requiring a big glug of the honey-coloured mixture to produce the required dilution ratio. The smell divided opinion, combining disinfectant with aftershave for a scent I really rather liked."
Pros
- Very smooth, slippery feel when washing
- Very glossy, rich-tone result afterwards
- Soapy enough to feel therapeutic
Cons
- Couldn't lift dirt as easily as the top runners
| Volume | 1.89L |
| Washes per bottle | 5:1 ratio recommended |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Shampoo type | Shampoo and conditoner |
| Scent | Soapy |
It was a very soapy and soft application throughout the paintwork, and it made most of the dirt simply run away upon the first going over. It was safe to use on the paintwork, chrome, and glass, and while it required some elbow grease in many areas prone to dirt build-up, it impressed us as a general routine car shampoo. It just requires you to go over the vehicle a few times before achieving the desired result.
Aaron Hussain
Second opinion, Ryan Gilmore:
"I'd quite happily bathe in the rich coconut scent of this car shampoo. The mesmerizing blue liquid, mega concentration and suds really should have seen this be a front-runner. However, it's a very gentle car shampoo, and I did spot it struggling on a couple of surfaces. There was also a tiny bit of streaking left on the glass, even after rinsing and drying. It's a really good choice for a regularly clean car, but it would struggle with more extreme dirt."
Pros
- Very soapy and therapeutic to run the mitt through
- Had a lovely, plant-esque scent
- Did very well overall when washing a car
Cons
- Couldn't get rid of stubborn spots
- We needed to use more than the others to achieve the result
| Volume | 500ml |
| Washes per bottle | Circa 30 |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Shampoo type | Wash and wax |
| Scent | Almost tropical |
Best car shampoo to use in the summer
At just under £14 per litre, it's good value, too. It can also double up as a pre-wash as well as a shampoo, which if you're using a pressure washer with a snow foam cannon, makes the process a whole lot more efficient. With the mitt, it was good enough to run my hand through, it didn't have the sense of gloss and smoothness as others, nor the effortless dirt-lifting, but as a value-orientated shampoo, it does the job very well indeed. It doesn't go without mentioning that in terms of finish and wash quality, it does fall short of its competitors, but only by a smidge.
Aaron Hussain
Second opinion, Ryan Gilmore:
"Very gentle on paintwork, Soft99 may be more than just a name here. It's not the last name in cleaning power; it's more suited to light dust than anything else. First tested during the summer months, the Soft99 could quite happily dry on the panel without leaving streaks. Great news for hot weather washing, but it does leave the question as to how strong the detergents are. The packaging, complete with whipped cream mountains and Japanese Kanji, is the best here."
Pros
- Very good value at £14 a litre
- Rinses clean off even if dried in the sun
- Cleaning result is very good
Cons
- Doesn't quite match its competitors on all areas
- Only best when used as a snow foam
| Volume | 1L |
| Washes per bottle | 25 |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Shampoo type | pre-wash and wash |
| Scent | Lavender |
Car shampoos: FAQs
How to use car shampoo
As you’ve probably gathered by now, different types of car shampoo suit different needs. Some offer a straightforward clean, some include a level of wax protection, and others are packed with ceramic tech. We’ve included a mix of all of the products above.
A pure shampoo, such as Gtechniq W1 Gwash, is designed simply to cleanse the car’s surface of dirt and other pollutants. In some ways, this is the back-to-basics option – and it’s certainly cheaper as a standalone product. However, a lot of car cleaning obsessives also use pure shampoo and then apply wax or polish separately.
A wax-infused shampoo contains detergents and wax (usually carnauba) for post-wash protection. This will supplement any existing wax on your car’s paintwork. The downside is that wash-and-wax shampoos are slightly compromised in terms of both cleaning and protecting ability.
On the market today, you will also find ceramic shampoos. These are a relatively recent trend in the world of car detailing, and essentially, for a portion of cash and effortless, you can give your car a makeshift ceramic coating. It works brilliantly between washes, and if you do a lot of miles, the coating lasts a very long time with the premium products, and road dirt and dust very easily slip off and keep your car cleaner for longer.
Whether or not you use snow foam, it’s a good idea to rinse your car before washing it. This will help remove dirt particles before you make contact, reducing the risk of light scratches and swirl marks in the paint.
Car shampoos: what bucket method shall I use?
Talking of doubling up, you also need two buckets: one filled with clear water and the other with diluted car shampoo. The idea is that you dip your wash mitt into the soapy water and then rinse it in plain water after each application. This should prevent dirt from accumulating in the shampoo bucket, which can damage the paintwork (not to mention hampering your efforts to clean the car). Make sure that the clear/dirty water bucket has a grit guard; running the mitt across one of these makes all the difference when getting rid of those filthy contaminants. Our dirty water bucket turned brown after each car wash, which really puts into perspective how filthy cars get without necessarily looking it.
Even if you live in a soft water area, you should still dry the car afterwards. Do so by starting at the top and working downwards. Use a synthetic microfibre drying towel rather than traditional chamois leather, as this will absorb the water more effectively without leaving any residue. Never use a rubber blade to scrape water off the paintwork – you could be scraping dirt into your clearcoat.
Who tested the car shampoos?
This test was performed by Aaron Hussain and Ryan Gilmore. As a classic car owner fastidious of giving cars the attention they deserve, Aaron was the perfect journalist to put each shampoo to the ultimate test and measure their effectiveness in each area.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Parkers, and has spent the last three years testing as many cleaning products as he can get his hands on. The resident detailing whizz at Parkers, he’s always keen to put the products to the test to see if they’re worth the hype and money or mere marketing. Armed with his portable detailing kit and a list of front-runners, his expertise proved invaluable for finding the best car shampoo.
Recent updates
August 23rd 2024: Ryan Gilmore removed EZ Car Care Supernova Car Shampoo due to lack of stock, added Topaz Pure Shampoo Plus following testing, and checked prices and availability.Â
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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