🧴 What Car Shampoo Do Professionals Use?

If you’ve ever searched “What car wash soap do professionals use?” you’re not alone. With so many products on the market, it can be difficult to know which shampoo is actually safe, effective, and worth your time.

The truth is, professional detailers don’t just grab any car wash off the shelf. They look for specific qualities that protect the vehicle while achieving the deepest clean possible.

What Professionals Look For in a Car Shampoo

1. pH Neutral Formulation
Professional detailers avoid harsh, alkaline shampoos because they can strip waxes, sealants, and protective coatings. A pH neutral shampoo is gentle yet effective, keeping the car’s existing protection intact. Explore the importance of pH balanced washes.

2. High Lubricity
This is a big one. Lubricity refers to how slick the shampoo is when you’re moving your wash mitt across the paint. High lubricity helps reduce friction, which in turn minimises the risk of creating swirl marks and micro-scratches during washing.

3. Cleaning Power Without Residue
A quality shampoo should break down dirt, grime, and road film — but rinse away cleanly without leaving streaks, spotting, or residue behind. Professionals want a formula that cleans thoroughly but doesn’t require endless rinsing.

4. Value & Concentration
Detailers often work on multiple cars a day, so concentrated shampoos that can be diluted for dozens of washes provide excellent value. The goal is efficiency without sacrificing results.

Do Professionals Use Household Products Like Dish Soap?

A common question is whether dish soap or household cleaners are a good substitute. The short answer: no. While dish soap is designed to cut through grease, it’s far too harsh for automotive finishes. It can strip away protective waxes and dry out paint, plastics, and rubber trims.

That’s why professionals stick with formulas made specifically for automotive care.

The Bottom Line

So, what car shampoo do professionals use? The answer isn’t one specific brand — it’s any product that is:

• pH neutral

• Highly lubricated

• Effective at cleaning without residue

• Safe for all exterior surfaces

If you’re looking to wash your car like a professional, choose a shampoo that meets these standards. It will not only make the wash process safer but also keep your paintwork looking better for longer.

For example, at Clarity, we developed our own Clarity Shampoo after years of detailing vehicles in all conditions. It’s pH neutral, high in lubricity, and designed to deliver that professional-level clean at home — but the principles above apply no matter which shampoo you choose.