PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
Can I use laundry detergent to wash my car?
I really need to wash my car in the next few hours. I don’t have any car wash soap and I don’t have time to go out and get some. I don’t really have a whole lot of extra cleaning supplies, but I do have laundry detergent. Could I use laundry detergent to wash my car?
Andrew Biro · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Okay, so this is a bit of a tricky situation—it’s not recommended that you use laundry detergent to wash your car because most detergents contain harsh chemicals and degreasing agents that can seriously damage both your car’s paint and protective coating.
That said, if you absolutely must wash your vehicle and only have laundry detergent to do it with, you can mitigate the potential damage you inflict on your car’s exterior by heavily diluting the detergent with water.
If you have a mild or natural-ingredient laundry detergent, that’s even better, as they already contain milder, less destructive cleaning agents than most full-strength detergents.
Another way to care for your car is a good
car insurance
policy. For the coverage you need at a great rate, use the Jerry
app. Once you download Jerry, just answer a handful of questions that will take you roughly 45 seconds to complete and you’ll immediately get car insurance quotes for coverage similar to your current plan. Jerry customers save an average of $887 a year.
View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies