One of the best ways to keep a car clean is to wash it using a pressure washer paired with a foam cannon. Of course, you will also need to get the best liquid wax for pressure washers into the mix to ensure a spotless finish. These products double as a wash, so you get two functions for the price of one.
In your search for the best option, you want to sift through our list of the best car wash-and-wax items for pressure washers. The combo products we selected to feature are effective at making your rides look shiny and smell amazing. They also let you cut down on the pressure washing cleaning process, making it easier and more convenient.
Best Liquid Wax for Pressure Washer: A Review
Mothers 05674 California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax, 64 oz.
- Mothers Carnauba Wash and Wax is the quick and easy way to clean, shine and protect your paint
- Easily dissolves and removes stubborn road grime and dirt, all while boosting your existing wax
- Powerful, ultra-sudsy, biodegradable and pH balanced
Mothers is an all-American brand specializing in car care products. The 05674 California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax cleans quickly and easily.
Not only is its soft, spongy mixture perfectly safe for car paint, but it can also bring out your car’s best shine. It can enhance wax that’s already been applied and effectively remove dirt and grease off your ride’s surface.
Product Highlights
The 05674 California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax uses a pH-neutral formula to prevent car paint damages. It’s also super sudsy, which adds to its efficacy in cleaning your ride.
You won’t have a problem applying this wash-and-wax combo to any part of your car. When buffed, it doesn’t leave any residue. You can also pressure wash it away using a foam cannon without worrying about any negative effects on the paintwork or undercarriage.
It is definitely one of those products that offer great value for money. You would think that, with its capabilities, it would actually cost more than its market price tag. It basically ticks all the boxes where pressure cleaning cars are concerned.
The Gold Carnauba doesn’t just make cars shiny, but it also adds a protective layer that maintains shine and prevents damage.
The Good
One of the best things about the Gold Carnauba Wash and Wax is its pH-neutral formula. It means the product also works with vehicles outside of your favorite four-wheel ride. You can use it on motorcycles, RVs, boats, ATVs, and more.
The Bad
You can’t load the Gold Carnauba Wash and Wax in the detergent reservoir, which might be a little disappointing since it adds hassle to the cleaning process. You might also need to buff it slightly after it dries; otherwise, it may leave behind some residue.
Pros:
- Environmentally friendly
- Super sudsy
- pH balanced
- Soft and spongy
Cons:
- Requires buffing
- Thick consistency
Karcher Pressure Washer Car Wash & Wax Cleaning Soap Concentrate – 1 Gallon
- Universal Compatibility: Formulated to work in tandem with your pressure washer, and compatible with most consumer gas & electric power pressure washers
- The Karcher Promise - Cleaner. Quicker: Karcher's Vehicle Wash & Wax creates a perfect car wash system. The soap rinses away dirt and grime without leaving residue behind, revealing the original...
- Highly Concentrated: Make up to 20 gallons of detergent from a single gallon of Karcher's Vehicle Wash & Wax Concentrate
This product promises to clean your rides quicker, and you might find that it won’t disappoint. You can pair it with a pressure washer and foam cannon combo to create the ideal washing system for any vehicle.
Product Highlights
This super-concentrated formula can whip up a total of 20 gallons of detergent. We’re talking high-quality detergent that’s safe for all vehicle finishes. It also rinses away with ease, leaving no residue behind and unleashing your car’s original shine.
You will find the Karcher Vehicle Wash & Wax Soap powerful and eco-friendly on account of its biodegradable status. It also performs efficiently with any washing system. You could be cleaning your truck, motorbike, car, or RV, and it would still give you the same stellar results.
The Good
We love that this is an all-purpose wash and wax soap. When used with the ideal pressure washer and foam cannon, it can restore any ride’s luster. While acting as an excellent car was dirt remover. Who doesn’t want a clean car that’s left nice and glossy afterwards?
The Bad
A slight drawback to the Karcher Vehicle Wash & Wax Soap is it doesn’t have a lot of foam. It might also cause minimal spotting, which means you might have to do some wiping once it dries.
Pros:
- Works with all automotive washing systems
- Makes up to 20 gallons of detergent
- Biodegradable
- Promises quick and easy cleaning
Cons:
- Doesn’t foam too much
- May cause minimal spotting
All American Car Care Products Pink Wash & Wax Concentrate (5 Gallon) - One Step Liquid Poly Soap and Protective Wax for Fine Automobiles, Boats, RV, Motorcycle
- Pink Wash & Wax is a liquid poly soap that provides durable high-gloss shine, in one easy step. Produces a high stable foam, with advanced cleaning agents and waxes work together to remove the...
- Leaves the ultimate glossy finish in one easy to use application.
- Foamy car wash gently lifts away dirt, road oils, and contaminants while leaving a silky smooth finish and bright mirror shine with a protective wax coat all in one easy step
“One step” is definitely something you want to hear about a product specially made for car cleaning. This wash and wax combo by All American Car Care Products is exactly that and more. It can provide shine and protection to many vehicles, including cars, boats, motorbikes, and RVs.
Product Highlights
In just one step, the Pink Wash & Wax Concentrate helps you achieve an ultra-glossy shine. That is thanks to its stable foam, which contains top-notch cleaning agents and waxes.
Its formula dissolves even the toughest oils and debris to make rinsing an easy and time-saving process. The scent you get afterward isn’t too bad, either.
It doesn’t merely lift away dirt but also adds a protective layer that gives your car’s surface a mirror-like shine. It’s also pH balanced and extra foamy, making it fit for all types of automotive washing systems.
The Good
This pH neutral formula can achieve a smooth and silky finish in one easy step. It cleans and conditions car paint without relieving existing wax of its protective qualities.
The Bad
As great as the Pink Wash & Wax Concentrate is, its waxing element might not be as solid as its washing element. You can count on it to lift away the toughest oils, stains, and contaminants efficiently, but it might not be able to replicate that standard for shining your vehicle.
Pros:
- pH balanced
- Applies to all automotive washing systems
- Extra foamy
- Involves a one-step process
Con:
- Doesn’t wax as well as it washes
Chemical Guys CWS202 Tough Mudder Foaming Truck, Off Road and ATV and RV Heavy Duty Wash Soap, (Works with Foam Cannons, Foam Guns or Bucket Washes), 128 fl oz (1 Gallon), Lemon Scent
- MUDS MORTAL ENEMY – Whether you have a Jeep that you take off road or a truck that you use every day for work, there’s no doubt it gets dirty. The best way to wash your car, truck, SUV, RV or Jeep...
- BUCKET, FOAM GUN OR CANNON – Whether you are washing with a wash mitt and bucket, a foam gun connected to your garden hose or a foam cannon connected to your pressure washer, Tough Mudder is the...
- BEGINNER AND PROFESSIONAL DETAILER FRIENDLY – Chemical Guys makes products for beginners and experts alike. Chemical Guys products are professional grade to get the best results and are also simple...
This highly durable wash-and-wax formula can work on multiple vehicles, such as bikes, trucks, buggies, and RVs, as well as with various types of automotive washing systems. It’s also safe to use on your ride’s paintwork and different parts of its undercarriage since it performs some of the most crucial tasks in cleaning your ride.
Product Highlights
The CWS202 is formulated with surface-release substances that can lift even the most stubborn dirt and oils from your vehicle. It has a versatile formula, so cleaning doesn’t have to be limited strictly to the pressure washer and foam cannon combination. You can use the bucket wash and foam gun options, too.
Plus, it won’t strip off any existing sealant or wax coating qualities, thanks to its pH-balanced formula.
The Good
Versatility and durability land this wash-and-wax formula on our list. You can use it efficiently on pretty much any automobile washing system without damaging the paint or any part of the vehicle’s undercarriage.
The Bad
While it does a great job of loosening the mud and dirt on most vehicles, it doesn’t repel them enough to prevent washing by hand. Depending on the extent of washing required, you may find yourself doing some light scrubbing of the more stubborn dirt that wasn’t rinsed away by the initial wash.
Pros:
- pH neutral formula
- Surface-friendly
- Sweet-smelling
- Delivers glossy finish
- fantastic spray on car wax for pressure washer’s
Cons:
- Requires more than a few washes to loosen stubborn dirt
- May require washing by hand after an initial wash
Turtle Wax Carnauba Wash & Wax 48. Fluidounces
- Enriched with 3X more Carnauba for the most shine science allows
- Premium Carnauba provides depth and high shine
- Formulated with friction-reducing detergents to glide across paint and provide a scratch-free wash
Turtle Wax is one of the best in the business of wax production, and it doesn’t disappoint with this product. This wash-and-wax combination suits various automotive wash systems thanks to its pH neutral formula and friction-reducing additives. It prides itself on a hassle-free cleaning process that involves minimal rinsing.
Product Highlights
The Turtle Wax Carnauba Wash & Wax is a formula that deep cleans your ride’s surface without damaging its precious paintwork. It uses advanced polymer technology for cleaning, which removes stubborn mud, dirt, and oils without leaving scratches.
You can even apply it under direct sunlight without causing streaks, giving you more convenient application options. You simply get a gorgeous glossy finish wrapped in a unique Caribbean crush scent.
The Good
What you will probably love most about the Turtle Wax Carnauba Wash & Wax is its stain-free cleaning. It doesn’t matter how strongly dirt and contaminants cling to your car’s surface, you can remove them efficiently.
It does all that work without leaving so much as a light scratch on your ride. Then, it delivers a glossy shine swathed in an alluring scent.
The Bad
The Turtle Wax Carnauba Wash & Wax isn’t as foamy as some of its competitors and has a too-large bottle neck. Both these elements don’t necessarily indicate as hassle-free of a cleaning process as the company claims.
Pros:
- Stain-free cleaning
- Unique Caribbean crush scent
- pH-balanced formula
- Effective for various wash systems
Cons:
- Too-large bottle neck
- Not too foamy
Buyer’s Guide
Even with the narrowed down choices above, there are several factors to consider before selecting the liquid wax for your pressure washer and car. That is to ensure the cleaning process is as hassle-free as possible and as safe as possible for your car. Below are some of the things to keep in mind when choosing the right car wax.
Brand
More often than not, a brand will tell you what you’re in for with a particular product. If you aren’t too knowledgeable about liquid wax manufacturers, do your research to purchase the best products., check out car was supplies stores, specifically look at professional car wash supplies stores as they’ll stock a wider selection of products.
Sometimes, it’s not enough to check the company website since it’ll naturally show content favoring their products. You want to check honest, impartial reviews by credible sources.
Ease of Use
It is important to choose liquid wax that doesn’t make things more difficult for you. You’re already too busy as it is, so you don’t have time to pick a liquid wax that needs to be paired with another product to be effective. You want one that can work efficiently with your choice of washing system on its own.
pH Balance
This feature has something to do with the neutrality of the formulation being used to wash your ride. A liquid wash-and-wax with a neutral pH is highly unlikely to damage your car’s paintwork. It’ll also be a powerful and nature-friendly cleaning agent.
Sud Production
The foamier a formulation is, the less work you have to put into cleaning your ride. More suds also equate to faster removal of stubborn dirt and oils stuck to your vehicle’s surface. So, suds and bubbles matter when picking liquid soap and wax formulas. The product that produces the most foam is likely the best.
Price
A top consideration for purchasing liquid wax for pressure washers is the price tag. Select one that offers the best value for money. Of course, this should only be if the said product actually meets your specific needs or preferences. If you want the best prices I personally go for industrial car wash supplies stores, I can get products in bulk sizes at trade prices. It saves a lot of money over the long term.
Environmental Friendliness
Eco-friendliness factors into a product’s efficacy. It doesn’t matter how great your wash-and-wax combo shines and protects your vehicle; you don’t want to purchase it if it’s unsafe for the environment.
The product also shouldn’t contain ingredients that are harmful to other people, plants, and pets.
Size
Liquid soap and wax bottles come in different sizes. Consider the frequency in which you wash with pressure washers and your car’s size when you decide on the product size to purchase.
FAQs
1. Do You Need Special Soap for Pressure Washers?
As much as possible, you don’t want to use soaps and detergents that aren’t meant for pressure washers. That’s because ordinary household soaps do not have the formulation required to hold out against high-pressure washing.
Dish and laundry detergents simply aren’t made for the velocities and pressures of such an appliance. The volume of foam this creates would probably be beyond what’s required for effective cleaning. In fact, passers-by might mistake your car washing endeavor for a foam party.
If you’re in the market for a pressure washer soap, make sure it’s formulated specifically for the appliance. While you can use most of these soaps with any power washer, you want to check the manufacturer’s manual for any specifications on specific cleaners and recommended amounts.
2. What Chemicals Do Professional Pressure Washers Use?
The chemicals used in a commercial pressure washing service is usually dependent on the type of dirt that needs removal. The areas that require cleaning should also factor into this decision since chemicals that work for one surface type may not necessarily suit another.
Professional pressure washing companies provide a wide range of services, which include:
- Vehicle washing
- General cleaning
- Paint removal
- Deck washing
- Graffiti removal
Since these areas involve different concerns, companies use a variety of chemicals with their pressure washers. These include:
- Bleach
- Ammonia
- Potassium hydroxide
- Sodium hypochlorite
- Sodium hydroxide
- Citric acid
- Oxalic acid
3. Can You Make Your Own Pressure Washer Detergent?
With some household cleaning agents, you can whip up an effective pressure washer detergent. For general purpose pressure washing, all you need is water, a household cleaner, phosphate-free laundry detergent, and the optional vinegar.
Carefully mix all these ingredients, and voila! You have your very homemade detergent for your pressure washer.
4. Can You Use Pressure Washer Without Detergent?
Yes, you can use a pressure washer without detergent, but would it be effective for cleaning? The answer is a resounding no.
Think about how washing your hands without soap doesn’t get the job done. The same concept applies when using your pressure washer. This appliance for cleaning would not effectively scrub away dirt, stains, oils, and mud without detergent.
There’s only so much high-pressure washing you can do without the foamy formulation that dissolves the stubborn contaminants and dirt that cling to all types of surfaces. It’s the friction-reducing additives in these soaps that make way for deeper cleaning and easier rinsing.
And we’re not just talking about any detergent, either. We’re talking about soaps and detergents formulated especially for pressure washer use. It’s these products that deep clean and shine to perfection.
Don’t be deceived. A few passes of your pressure washer may be enough to clean decks, homes, and rides on the surface, but they will definitely leave the more stubborn dirt elements behind. Those contaminants you don’t want your kids getting near to? They’ll surely be among the few remnants.
5. Can I Put Bleach in a Pressure Washer?
The answer is yes and no. In commercial pressure washing, bleach is sometimes used to remove certain types of dirt that cannot be lifted using ordinary pressure washing detergents.
Bleach is a combination of sodium hypochlorite and sodium chloride. The former gives it the power to disinfect and remove stains aggressively, while the latter allows it to disintegrate fats and grease on various surfaces. Bleach is especially useful for pressure cleaning glass and steel surfaces.
Now, you definitely shouldn’t be using any kind of bleach for your pressure washers at home. Home power washers normally don’t have the durability of commercial-grade appliances.
That means their parts could be damaged easily by the powerful substances of bleach. The aggressive formula could ruin seals and o-rings in the hoses, pumps, wand, and gun.
What Is the Best Cleaner to Use in a Pressure Washer?
Whatever product you choose from our list is not likely to disappoint. However, we would suggest you go with Mothers 05674 California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax since it offers the best value for money and takes foaminess to the next level. As discussed, the more foam a product produces, the more effective it is at cleaning surfaces.
You can hardly go wrong with the best liquid wax for pressure washers on our list. More than meeting the ideal specifications for pressure washer soaps and detergents, it’s also safe for mother nature.
You can count on this soap-and-wax combo to dissolve mineral deposits with ease so you can rinse them away efficiently. It also won’t scratch the paintwork of all vehicle types. Plus, it performs equally in the shining phase as it does in the washing phase—a quality that’s missing from most pressure washer soaps.
