If you’ve decided to take your car to a commercial car wash or car cleaning service, how can you know which chemicals are going to be used and if these are right for your car?

Car wash detergents

Cars needs to be washed using specially formulated detergents, similar to but not the same as household detergents. Car wash detergents must comply with EPA requirements and most are labelled as "eco-friendly", which at a minimum means they are bio-degradable to a certain extent but rarely entirely.

Glass cleaner

Glass cleaners need to be able to clean all glass surfaces whilst leaving a streak free finish and no hazy residue. Most modern commercial automotive glass cleaners will contains no ammonia, and must be safe for use on tinted glass, mirrors, chrome, vinyl, rubber, and plastic.

Waxes and polishes

Car wax is a coating which is used to seal the surface of a newly cleaned car and provide protection until the next wash. Most waxes contain either silicon or natural carnauba wax. Polishes are different to wax and are used to re-shine or buff dull paint jobs and are actually abrasives rather than coatings.

General purpose cleaners

General purpose cleaners are used to clean all other areas of a car, including carpets, fabrics, vinyl, plastic, engines, wheels, tires, fender wells, door jambs and more.

Detailing sprays

Detailing or finishing sprays are usually water based dressings for interiors, exteriors and engine compartments. They are used to restore and treat vinyl upholstery and trim, dashboards, air vents, tires, rubber mouldings, vinyl tops and engine hoses

In general, you should look for car wash products which are neither harmful to you or to the environment. Look for products which don’t contain acids or caustics, and which are biodegradable.