Prices have gone up since the start of the pandemic. Car owners are feeling the pinch coming from several directions at once.
One is from the gas pump. The price of a gallon of gas has more than doubled since January of this year. For some drivers, this has been devastating.
Due to a nationwide chip shortage, it has become hard to get a new car. The ones that are available are more expensive than comparable cars from two years ago. This means that costly car repairs may be the only option for many car owners.
Maybe one or both of these scenarios applies to you. Maybe you’re just looking for a way to save some money. Either way, washing your car at home instead of paying for costly detailing sessions might be just what you’re looking for.
In this article, we’re going to explore the best car wash shampoos for 2022. Click here for more information about car detailing.
Car Shampoo?
You might be thinking, what is car shampoo? Is it something used to clean car mustaches, beards, and wigs?
Not quite.
Car shampoo is a name for a product that is specially designed to clean your car. Although shampoo technically means that the product is related to hair care, it has become an industry standard term in car detailing.
Check out this link: https://www.detailingwiki.org/washing/what-is-a-shampoo/ to find out more about car shampoo.
These shampoos offer a number of different features. They have formulas for different car finishes. All of these selections on our list have been tested to ensure all the label claims are true, so you can shop securely. Let’s get started!
Ethos Ceramic Shampoo
You might be thinking, what is ceramic shampoo?
No, it doesn’t refer to a cleaner for a car you made in pottery class. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. While ceramic pots are very fragile, this new technology is quite strong.
A ceramic-coated car needs to be washed less often than other cars. It resists dirt as well as rust stains. That’s because the ceramic coating derives from a NASA-created technology designed to protect rocket ships from the harsh conditions and high heat of re-entry.
If it’s good enough for a rocket ship, it’s good enough for your car.
While it is a strong material, using the wrong cleaner could mean damage for your finish.
This is a relatively new sensation in the car care market. If you already have a ceramic finish or are interested in getting one, you’ll need the right car wash shampoo to keep your finish in the best possible condition.
You can’t go wrong with Ethos. They offer eco-friendly products at affordable prices. As a bonus, this shampoo is safe on all waxes and finishes.
Besides that, not only does it clean your car, but it can also actually improve your ceramic finish. It does this because it is infused with the same compound found in the ceramic coating. This means that it fills in microscopic gaps before they expand. This can lengthen the life of your vehicle.
Brett’s Nasty Boy Car Shampoo with Added Rinsing Agent
The next item on our list is brand new for this year.
Named for the inventor’s feisty Boston Terrier, this shampoo does its best to live up to its namesake.
The thing we like best about it is its smell. As soon as you open the bottle, you’ll be hit with a wave of nostalgia. That’s because the shampoo smells exactly like pink bubble gum. You know the kind; it’s the stuff that comes wrapped in little comics. You won’t be able to take a whiff without being transported back to childhood.
The rinsing agent is perfect for impatient car washers. It allows the surface of your car to dry faster. This makes it easier for beginners to achieve that streak-free shine.
It does this by spreading out the water molecules, making it easier for them to dissipate.
There are a few downsides to this product. A few of our testers really reacted negatively to the strong bubble gum smell. One in particular said that she would rather drive her car into a lake than smell the bubble gum scent again.
Another downside is that it’s not suitable for all car finishes. If you used it on a ceramic coated car, for example, you could compromise the integrity of your finish. Make sure your car is compatible before giving this product a try.
Athena’s Own Car Shampoo
This last item on our list is for the ultra-budget-conscious consumer. At less than three dollars for ten fluid ounces, you don’t have to sacrifice car cleanliness even when money is tight.
One of the benefits to this product is its availability. It can be found at most Dollar United stores in the car care section. We’ve found that it is better than its competitors at removing hard-to-get dirt from inside wheel wells and other crevices.
Of course, you get what you pay for. Many of our testers were disappointed with the streaky finish that resulted from a wash with Athena’s Own. If it’s bad enough, you might have to rewax your car.
Another drawback to this brand is that it has limited availability. Like many other products, it has been affected by recent supply chain shortages. Still, for the price it can’t be beat.
Now that you know about the best car shampoos of the year, get out there and get washing!
