If your car is in need of a good clean, it might be tempting to raid the cupboard beneath your kitchen sink for the washing goods. After all, they’re cleaning products and it’ll save you a few quid so job done, right? Well, no. While lathering up your car in copious lashings of Fairy washing-up liquid may fulfil the cleaning element of the job, many household dish-cleaning products are very acidic with high pH ratings that may have adverse effects on the paint. What you need instead is a car cleaning product with a neutral pH rating of around 7.
Why is a neutral pH rating important for car cleaning?
Cleaning products with low (alkaline) pH ratings or especially high (acidic) pH ratings will probably work well as grime and dirt removers. As a result, however, they may also strip your car of its protective coats like wax or ceramics, leaving a duller surface in its wake. Stripping your car of its protective coats may also leave the bodywork vulnerable to UV rays and other terrors of the natural world, some of which may eventually lead to premature corrosion if not attended to. Running a cabriolet? We've also rated our favourite soft top cleaners as well as our favourite all purpose cleaner.
Are pH neutral products effective car cleaners?
Yes. Despite their neutral chemical balance, 7 pH car cleaning products can still be very effective. Not only are they great at removing dirt but they’re safe to use on your car’s clear coat and won’t strip it of any protective layers.
If you’re in search of a pH neutral car cleaning shampoo then you’re in luck as most of the country’s leading suppliers offer such products as well as many budget options. To help you find the right pH neutral car shampoo, we’ve put together a list of our favourites below.
The best ph neutral car shampoos
Best ph neutral car shampoo
Description
This low-foaming car cleaner serves as a two-in-one product –shampoo and conditioner. While not great for your hair, this deep-cleaning shampoo removes dirt particles while the conditioning element leaves a water-repellent film helping the car to dry faster. Not only is it powerful and effective but this product is also pH neutral with active ingredients to stop your protective coatings from being stripped.
Pros
- Two-in-one product
- Very effective and safe to use
Cons
- Overkill if you just want a shampoo
Best budget ph neutral car shampoo
Description
Nine F1 constructors’ championships, seven drivers’ championships, 114 race victories, and now a car shampoo. Just like our Nige’s championship-winning car, this car shampoo is perfectly balanced with a neutral pH rating. It’s a premium-grade, no-nonsense cleanser, leaving a fantastic shine as it removes dirt with a neutral pH formula for the safety and security of your car’s paint.
Pros
- Effective car shampoo
- Unscented - strictly business
Cons
- Other shampoos may offer more performance
Best premium ph neutral car shampoo
Description
This car shampoo is also pH neutral, making it wax and sealant-safe while still an effective cleaning product. This product produces a high-foaming action to help reduce the risk of scratching up your car’s bodywork throughout the cleaning process. The high concentration grants hundreds of washes in every bottle while the pH-neutral surfactants with residue-free rinsing ensure a pure and exemplary result every time.
Pros
- Powerful and great for a scratch-free finish
Cons
- Better value alternatives
Best ph neutral car shampoo for protection
Description
This wash and wax car cleaner from Meguiar’s is another two-in-one product like the Autoglym example, leaving a clear coat-safe Carnauba and synthetic polymer wax following its deep cleaning action. More importantly, however, this product is pH neutral so it won’t strip away any pre-existing protectants. By leaving its own wax layer, this product can offer its own protection while boasting a glossy shine. Big fan of Meguiar’s detailing products? This cleaning product can be used in conjunction with the rest of the brand’s detailing range for an even tougher and more durable defence.
Pros
- Powerful
- Two-in-one
Cons
- Overkill if you already have your own wax
Best eco-friendly ph neutral car shampoo
Description
This car shampoo from Gtechniq is a powerful stain and dirt remover. Its unique formula benefits from a high-foaming action to effectively lift dirt and grime without abrasion, chemically breaking the bond between dirt and the paintwork. Soft yet effective, despite this car shampoo’s impressive performance ratings, it’s non-toxic, non-acidic and pH neutral to keep your car’s paint safe.
Pros
- Good for the planet
- Very effective
Cons
- Difficult to find
FAQs
Can I use a pH neutral car shampoo on my pre-existing wax or ceramics?
Yes. The balanced chemical formula of pH neutral car shampoos won’t strip nor interfere with pre-existing protective layers. Instead, the shampoo provides a high-lubricating surface that lifts grime without taking the rest of the clear coat with it. Acidic cleaning products may strip your car of its protective layers, so it’s best avoid them whenever possible.