The Best Car Wash Soaps for Pressure Washer

Using a pressure washer or power washer soap for cars for soap application can help protect car paint from abrasive contaminants that can scratch. It also ensures less effort in cleaning, which is convenient for our busy schedules.

We can just spray the soap and let it do most of the dirt removal or even totally clean off all the contaminants, allowing touchless washing. Many car owners on Reddit say it’s the best way to clean a car without harming the paint. To get the best results, you need the best car wash soap for pressure washer.

Three main important factors make the top-rated pressure washer soap for cars:

Here in this article are some of the top-tier products we have tested and reviewed. Check out to see our experiences and verdict on them.

12 Best Pressure Washer Soap for Car Reviews

1. Karcher Vehicle Wash and Wax

Indeed, this Karcher Vehicle Wash and Wax is a trusty product formulated as a pressure washer soap for cars. It works well with most electric-powered or gas-powered consumer pressure washers.

This car soap can sud up pretty decently, making the cleaning process easier, especially with a pressure washer. I love that with this car wash soap, there need not be scrubbing too much unless the car is extremely dirty.

Furthermore, I find it equally impressive that it also leaves a layer of wax that helps restore the luster and add protection to the paintwork. So, one product serves two purposes!

This car wash is concentrated; thus, a gallon of it can provide approximately 20 gallons of soapy water that would allow several pressure washes for a car. Imagine how much water we can save from such a concentrated product.

What seals the deal for me is the product’s safe chemicals. It’s a clear coat-safe formula that’s harmless on any automotive finish that’s just as safe for the environment since it’s biodegradable.

2. Chemical Guys CWS_110 Honeydew Snow Foam Auto Wash

Next up is one of the best-selling car wash products from the well-reputed car care brand, Chemical Guys. Its CWS_110 Honeydew Snow Foam Auto Was not only works well for hand washing but also as a car soap for pressure washer with its high suds capacity.

As a high foaming car soap, it makes car cleaning easy and scratch-free. I love that it covers an entire vehicle with generous foam that effectively lifts dirt particles. Therefore, it allows cleaning with minimal to no scrubbing and also prevents abrasive contaminants from scratching the car surface.

It’s a pH-neutral formula that’s gentle and safe on every exterior car surface. Furthermore, using this wash soap is good for protective coatings such as car ceramic, wax, and sealant coating.

Its neutral pH balance also allows spot-free cleaning under direct sunlight. It also doesn’t leave any residue. I find doing cleaning with this even more pleasant due to the nice honeydew melon scent.

Its concentration is another great advantage. I found out that with just two ounces of this solution, we can create lots of foam for cleaning. And it also provides a lot of car washes in just a one-gallon bottle.

Moreover, it’s also eco-friendly, as it doesn’t contain harmful CFCs and solvents and is biodegradable.

3. Karcher Pressure Washer Car Wash Soap

Here we have another one from the reputed pressure washer car soap manufacturer, Karcher. It often comes in a one-quart bottle that’s suitable for car owners who don’t wash their car much.

Its attached measuring cup is one feature that sets this solution apart from many car wash products. It offers the added convenience of a built-in measuring reservoir for dispensing the soap precisely when washing. It’s probably my favorite thing about the bottle.

With this one-quart bottle of concentrated car wash soap, car owners can get approximately five gallons of soapy water for many car washing turns. Therefore, we can ultiize the solution to clean our car for two months or so.

Basically, this is a smaller-sized option of the earlier mentioned Karcher pressure washer car wash soap.

Therefore, we can expect the same clear coating-safe, satisfactory cleaning results. It will provide decent foaming that restores car shine while still being safe for the environment as a biodegradable formula.

4. Sun Joe SPX-APC1G Pressure Washer Cleaner + Degreaser

The Sun Joe SPX-APC1G Heavy Duty Pressure Washer Cleaner + Degreaser is a multipurpose pressure washer-rated cleaning product that works well in washing cars.

This solution can give a car just enough foam for pressure washing. I love that this pressure washer soap can be used for various things like brick walls, wooden surfaces, driveways, cars, etc., which allows many cleaning tasks with just one bottle.

This soap can cover an entire car with a light, lasting foam that, when left to sit on the car’s body for a bit, could loosen the contaminants off the surface. Therefore, I am guaranteed car cleaning with little effort.

Plus, this car cleaner also has a nice smell, a bit like pineapple, making for pleasant car washing. I always go for a type of cleaner that does not emit too-strong chemical scents since my kids are often around to watch me.

To use this for a car, only as little as a capful would be diluted with two liters for pouring into the detergent tank. It’s that concentrated. It’s also nice that it’s biodegradable.

5. Chemical Guys CWS_101 Maxi-Suds II Car Wash Soap

Another one from Chemical Guys on our list is the CWS_101 Maxi-Suds II. It delivers the signature generous, thick, cleansing foam that smells incredible and leaves no water spots that Chemical Guys always provides.

A viscous lather is generated when applied to a car, whether with a wash bucket, foam cannon, foam gun, or pressure washer. And it’s highly concentrated that it only takes 1-3 ounces of this for a 32-ounce detergent tank.

The foam lasts and sticks to the car’s body, lifting and lubricating dirt particles as they get wiped off with the microfiber wash mitt or microfiber towel. That makes cleaning easier and prevents contaminants from scratching the car’s paint job.

It quickly and effectively cuts through stubborn dirt. As my cars are often subjected to tree sap, bird drops, and even road grime, a strong cleaner like this should be a huge help.

The notable thing is, it’s still gentle for cleaning since it’s a pH-neutral formula. Theus, this pressure car wash doesn’t strip protective coatings like car wax, glaze, and sealant. Its pH balance also allows car washing under direct sunlight without causing water spots.

Also helping in preventing spots are the water softeners included in it. And like all the other car wash products from Chemical Guys, it smells nice. It even comes with three different scents, which are cherry, grape rush, and strawberry margarita.

6. Adam’s Mega Foam Car Wash Soap

The foamiest car wash soap on the market, the Adam’s VAR-MGA Car Shampoo, makes a great pressure washer car detergent. In addition, it leaves the car spotless. It doesn’t detriment a car’s protective coatings and plastic and rubber components.

I find it amazing that for a not-so-thick but runny pressure washer detergent. The cleaner can result in significant amounts of thick foam once used with any foaming tool.

Moreover, its runny consistency allows the use of every last drop from the measuring cup. It makes mixing it with water much easier than any product I have used.

It is one of the most innovative car care products using advanced cleaners, hyper surfactants, and super slick polymers. Therefore, I am not surprised that the cleaner emerges into thick, long-lasting, lubricating foam.

Furthermore, the foam breaks up and loosens contaminants off the surface, then provides lubrication for wiping without leaving scratches on the car paint.

Another thing that sets this apart from other car wash soaps is that it’s ten times more concentrated than typical car wash soaps, making it last longer.

When using this, protective coatings such as car wax, sealant, and ceramic coating won’t be shed off, and plastic and rubber components won’t get dried out. That’s because it’s a pH-neutral formula that’s gentle for cleaning.

7. Mission Automotive Pressure Washer Vehicle Soap

The Mission Automotive Pressure Washer Vehicle Soap is a highly concentrated soap that effectively cleans off contaminants from a car without leaving any residue. This product could either be used as a pre-wash or for touchless washing.

This pressure washer soap’s high concentration can make up approximately 12 gallons of soap for regular car washing with a pressure washer. It only takes two capfuls for making a gallon of soapy water or one and a half caps for a foam gun. I deem it a good product to last a long time.

And it exudes a nice fragrance that smells pleasant while washing a car. Besides, the car wash is safe on every part of the car exterior, including clear coats, gel coats, aluminum, plastic, rubber, and fiberglass.

It’s also a biodegradable formula that’s safe for the environment. Therefore, I can wash my car without worrying about its chemicals geting into the water source.

The product is so effective in cleaning that it quickly penetrates contaminants on a car. My car can just even be rinsed down afterward and turn out clean.

8. Adam’s CWS Car Shampoo

Everything we need in a pressure washer detergent for cars can be found in the Adam’s Car Wash Shampoo. This pressure washer detergent for cars got car owners covered in every aspect of car washing, from the great foaming action down to safety on the entire car body and environment.

Due to its great formulation consisting of advanced cleaners and polymers, this car Wash Shampoo can emerge on a car body as thick, lasting, efficient foam with any foaming tool. I tried several washing methods, and it worked every time.

What it does is that the foam adheres to the surface and provides excellent lubrication. Therefore, it cleans off contaminants effectively, quickly, and safely without scratching the car’s paint job.

Apart from on a car’s exterior surfaces, it’s also safe for the environment, as it’s biodegradable. Adding to its safety is its pH balance which allows it to clean without harming my car’s protective coatings.

And this versatile cleaner can work on all exterior car surfaces, including paintwork, glass, headlights, plastics, rubber, vinyl, etc.

Its pH balance also allows usage under the sun without causing water spots. It’s also reinforced with mineral suspending properties to ensure no water spots form on the car. And this comes in a sweet scent of wild berry.

9. Griot’s Garage 10866 Brilliant Finish Car Wash

The Griot’s Garage 10866 Brilliant Finish Car Wash is not just any soap; I deem it a miracle worker. It performs well as a pressure washer car detergent with its capability of producing loads of foam that cleans off tough dirt while adding shine.

This strong soap foams thickly when sprayed on the car body using a pressure washer or with attachments such as the foam cannon and foam gun. Its thick foam can effectively get rid of hard-to-remove dirt such as bugs, road grit, road salt, caked-on dirt, etc.

Through its foaming action, contaminants would be lifted off vehicle surfaces and lubricated well in every wipe. That makes the cleaning process much easier for any car owner and keeps the paint from getting scratched.

I love that it cleans well and contains special brighteners that can give a car a brilliant shine as it cleans. And during the cleaning process, pre-existing car wax or sealant remains intact, as it doesn’t harm protective coatings since it’s a pH-neutral formula.

This product is also safe for the environment since it’s biodegradable. And while it works its magic, it also gives off a pleasant scent of bubblegum.

All these advantages above can be enjoyed for as long as approximately six months since it’s a concentrated formula, even with regular weekly washes. For a gallon of water, I only use one ounce of the car wash.

10. Rain-X 620034-6PK Spot Free Car Wash

Well, little to no scrubbing or wiping when washing a car with a pressure washer car soap is one thing. But the Rain-X Car Wash also ensures no water spots even without towel drying.

I find such a feature so convenient since it saves me time. It uses advanced water sheening technology to turn the water on a car sheet off. Therefore, the car can quickly air dry without any towel drying, making cleaning easier for even beginners.

And, of course, adding to the ease of cleaning is its high foaming action that effectively cuts through contaminants, allowing the ease of wiping surfaces clean. Its foaminess also keeps the paint from being scratched.

Protective coatings and all exterior car surfaces would also be unharmed when it’s in use as it’s a pH-neutral formula. That’s why this product is suitable for professional use.

11. Mothers California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax

The Mothers cleaner is a high-quality mixture of car wash soap and carnauba wax. I was a little surprised by its price, but the solution offers a quick and easy good cleaning, leaving a brilliant shine on my car.

Plus, it delivers substantial cleansing foam when used with a pressure washer, foam cannon, or foam gun, making it a versatile car wash and wax for pressure washer.

With this highly foamy car wash soap, I can dissolve and loosen the stuck dirts, mostly from bird droppings and grimes off the surface. I notice that the foam is also very slick and that dirt would be well-lubricated for wiping off.

The notable thing is, that the car paintwork was not scratched. It works tremendously but gently without stripping off existing wax, as it comes with a balanced pH level.

While it works on the contaminants, it also boosts protection and enhances the shine in a car with the carnauba wax it leaves to bond with the paintwork. So it helps keep a vehicle protected and well-maintained with a clean shine between regular waxings.

12. Wash Chems Pro 50 Touchless Car Wash Soap

The Wash Chems Pro 50 Touchless Car Wash Soap must be one of the most potent cleaners I have used, as it works for stubborn grime and road dirt.

In fact, it’s a heavy-duty cleaner that can take on the bigger, dirtier vehicles such as trucks, trailers, buses, trains, ATVs, UTVs, off-road vehicles, and industrial equipment apart from the ordinary car. I often use this agent with a 3000psi pressure washer, and it proves to be effective, much more so than previous products I used to wash my truck.

I noticed that once sprayed on a vehicle, it would form a dense foam on the surface. Then, it takes some time to dissolve and emulsify dirt, muck, grease, and grime. I love that it can be left on a vehicle to remove dirt without much scrubbing on my part.

It contains active alkaline concentrate and traffic film remover (TFR), making it highly effective in cleaning. .

But it’s not so harsh that it won’t harm ceramic coatings or car wraps. Indeed, the solution does not scratch my truck’s exteriors or make the coating colors fade. It also even leaves a protective film for vehicles’ paint, metal, plastic, and rubber.

Apart from being able to thoroughly and safely clean a vehicle, it also makes the car shiny after the washing. And one can get several touchless washes with this since its concentration is times 10 of the typical car wash soap.

What to Look for When Buying Car Wash Soap for Pressure Washer

When you’re washing your car with a car cleaning pressure washer, you don’t simply use just any soap.

We need to use only the top-rated car wash soap for the job to get desirable results. Here’re some of the features we should pay attention to when picking a suitable product.

Abundant Foam Generation

One important feature we should look for in a car soap for pressure washer is a high suds capacity. It must be able to generate abundant amounts of foam because the main purpose is to cover the entire car with foam that would lift and lubricate the dirt particles and other contaminants off the car for a less effortful cleaning.

The abundance of foam will allow cleaning without applying much elbow grease and may even enable touchless washing, keeping the vehicle from getting scratched.

Make sure you check out the product’s description and reviews to see if it’s a good foaming car shampoo.

PH Balance

It’s important to always check the pH level of a car wash soap before buying. The car wash soap has a balanced pH level, which makes it safe for car washing. It’s gentle enough not to corrode car paint or harm other surfaces, including the glossy coating.

Therefore, buying car wash soap products with a neutral-pH level is advisable for your car’s exteriors.

Concentrated

The car soap would also be a concentrated formula that will allow you to get a lot of washes in one bottle and last longer.

Also, if you want to wash large vehicles like SUVs, trucks, RVs, and more, it is best to pick a concentrated shampoo.

Ease of Use

Using a foam car wash for pressure washer is supposed to make car cleaning easier, so you must go with a product that wouldn’t make the job difficult.

Most importantly, the soap for the pressure washer would do most of the cleaning for you through its high suds capacity. It will also allow usage without additional supplies like a wash mitt or towel as you want a touchless car wash.

Protective Properties

The car wash soap would also be protective not to harm a car’s paint and the environment, such as the plants and bodies of water it can end up in and even humans and pets.

A car soap’s safety of use on car surfaces is as important as its safety to the environment. So it must be biodegradable and non-toxic as well.

Moreover, it would be of great convenience if a car soap also protects paintwork from the elements that also helps enhance its shine with a bright, fresh look.

Can I Use Car Wash Soap in Pressure Washer

The answer depends on whether car wash soaps are applicable for the pressure washer, as pressure washers usually come with different features.

Ideally, a pressure washer for washing a car should have a PSI of at least 1,200-1900, an assortment of interchangeable tips or an adjustable nozzle for adjusting pressure, and a detergent tank suitable for car cleaning solutions.

Also, it would be good to have a large enough tank to hold the adequate amount of solution for car cleaning, so you wouldn’t have to keep refilling it.

What Kind of Soap Do You Use in a Pressure Washer for Car

There are various car cleaning agents, soaps, and detergents, but not all are suitable for pressure washer or foam lance use. You have to check a car cleaning product’s description if it’s applicable to it.

So when it comes to your car cleaning solution, ensure that it is indeed for pressure washing for safe use and best results.

Dish soap or laundry detergent are not ideal for daily wash, let alone professional wash. Most regular car soaps are incompatible and wouldn’t work with pressure washers. Because to get rid of all sorts of contaminants with regular car wash soap, it has to be agitated in water, applied on a car, rubbed around the surface, and rinsed off.

Also, using regular car wash soap in a pressure washer would result in a lot of bubbling and foaming, damaging its nozzle, unlike specialized detergents formulated for proper and safe use with just the right amount of foam.

Apart from the specialized car wash soaps for pressure washing, there are also other options you can use, such as all-purpose detergents, degreasers, and vehicle detergents, provided that they’re applicable for pressure washers.

All-purpose detergents would work well in cleaning any dirt, filth, stains, etc off cars. While degreasers would easily and effectively clean caked-on stains of grease and oil on cars. And vehicle detergents, as specialized vehicle cleaners, could very well tackle dirt, road film, and road salt.

How to Make Car Wash Soap for Pressure Washer

With the pressure washer being a costly investment, it’s understandable that you may want to save some money by making your car wash soap. Or perhaps you just ran out of soap and needed a quick alternative that’s available at home.

Whatever your situation is, there are some recipes for DIY car wash soap that you can make with items readily available at home. See them below.

Vinegar

This recipe is the eco-friendly one among all the options and is also gentle to the paint, glass, rubbers, and plastics. It’s made by pouring a third of a cup of distilled white vinegar into a container and a gallon of water. If your car is very dirty, pour in 14 cups of eco-friendly liquid soap.

Dish Soap

This recipe is good for several car washes and can be stored in the fridge for future use. In a one-gallon bottle, pour 14 cups of dish soap, one teaspoon of borax, and warm water, and thoroughly mix them.

Then combine a cup of the concentrated solution in a pail of water, and it’s ready for use.

Conclusion

With the best car wash soap for pressure washers, you’re guaranteed to have a scratch-free car that shines in every wash. You can achieve it much easier too.

Although there are DIY solutions that you can create, it’s still best to go with a specialized soap. So keep in mind the needed features for the best car soap for the job.