7 Best Waterless Car Washes (Fast & Easy Detailing)

After waiting days for Sunday morning to come around so you can wash your beloved car, you wake to find dark clouds and rain. After a few choice words to the clouds above you, you accept the hose and bucket will not be coming out to play today.

But what if there is another option? If you read our Waterless Car Wash guide, you would know there is a waterless wash technique you can do under cover, in a garage, without the mess of water everywhere. If you have not read the article, follow the link over and read up on the technique and consult this guide for a list of products you might want to consider, such as Optimum No Rinse which is my all-time favorite.

Best Waterless Car Washes – Quick Look

	Product	Price
	Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine Version...	Check Price at Amazon
	Optimum No Rinse Wash and Wax...	Check Price at Amazon
	Aero Cosmetics Wash Wax ALL Waterless...	Check Price at Amazon
	Meguiar's Ultimate Waterless Wash & Wax...	Check Price at Amazon
	Chemical Guys EcoSmart Waterless Car...	Check Price at Amazon
	Griot's Garage Spray-On Car Wash for...	Check Price at Amazon

What is Waterless Washing?

Waterless washing is a simple technique involving spraying on, or applying with a cloth, a special solution that allows you to clean the car with the swipe of a cloth. Then you use a clean cloth to dry the car. No sponge or rinsing required. You can do this in a garage or in places where water use is restricted. So, this is a pretty useful technique.

Now we need to address a common misconception. Waterless washing is not always waterless. I know, there is a bad joke in there someplace. But read on to learn why this is the case.

There are two instances where you may need water:

• Mixing product, and/or,
• Rinsing off your car.

You may need some water to mix the waterless wash if you buy a concentrate. With some products, you put a premeasured amount of waterless wash in a bucket or bottle and mix with water.

Then there is an important issue that must not be ignored. Waterless washing is a good option if your car is not too dirty. Think of this technique as a more aggressive cleaning method than using a quick detailing product, and less effective than a deep cleaning with a hose, sponge, and bucket.

To put it bluntly:

Do not expect waterless washing to clean a heavily soiled car or truck.

If your car is heavily soiled, you will need to rinse off all that potentially scratching dirt and debris first. That means using some water.

One trick is to first run your car through the local automated car wash. Purchase the cheapest option and let the automated brushes and nozzles clean off all the heavy stuff. Or you need to first find a spot to unleash the hose and nozzle, rinsing off that caked on mud, or other heavy soil.

Waterless Wash Products General Consideration

There are some features that all waterless washes must have to be considered for our list. These are:

Advantages

• Provide an easy, fast wash anywhere, anytime.
• Use far less water than the old-fashioned hose, sponge and bucket wash.
• Will work on all common surfaces found on an automobile exterior, including wheels and tires.

Disadvantages

• The car cannot be heavily soiled.
• A waterless wash must never dry while being used or it can streak and spot.

A Word of Caution

Let’s repeat address an issue that is also covered in our guide on the waterless washing technique – homemade concoctions. Some think they can take a few things you have laying around and throw them together to make your own cleaner. Some might say that is clever or frugal. But to be clear, it is not.

The process of waterless washing is demanding. Think about it. The cleaner must lift and eliminate dirt without damaging or scratching things like paint and coated plastic, all without the aid of a rinse. There must be no streaks, spots, or other aesthetic defects after you are done. Plus, the surface must not have a sticky residue that dirt can stick to. Don’t forget it would be nice to add some protection.

There are more stipulations for a good product, but you get the point. This is a pretty dedicated, and complicated, cleaner. It is best to let the professional chemists earn their money on this one. Part with a few dollars and get a waterless wash from a brand with a good reputation.

While shopping for a waterless wash, there are two general categories of products you can choose from:

• Cleaning, and
• Cleaning with wax.

For paint in good shape, with no small scratches or swirl marks, you can employ a cleaner with wax or protective additives. It will give your car some additional shine and added protection, with no additional work.

But if your paint has defects that will be further detailed after cleaning, you need a product focused on washing. The added wax is unnecessary since you will be polishing, and other things, in separate steps. Focus on getting the surfaces as clean as possible with the waterless wash.

There is a second factor to consider when deciding on what product to use. You will have to decide whether you want:

• Economical, Long Lasting Concentrates that do require mixing, or
• Convenient Ready-to-use spray products.

Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine contains no wax (if you want this with wax, see the next product on this list) but does contain polymers that add some shine.

No Rinse Wash and Shine is a concentrate and is blended at a rate of one ounce per two gallons of water. So, you do need a bucket and two gallons of water. But after that, you simply dip your cloth into the solution, wring out the excess, and wipe an area. Then using a clean, dry cloth, wipe the area to remove the remaining cleaning solution and buff to a shine. No rinsing and simple.

This product does clean well and many users were professional detailers who buy this product a gallon at a time. In support the effective cleaning, this waterless wash has strong reviews on Amazon. Plus, if you are a DIY’er who does not need a whole gallon, then you can purchase smaller containers. (It also comes in 4, 8, and 32 oz. bottles.)

While most users were pleased with the cleaning power of this product, it did appear that tree pollen was difficult to remove. Expect to use a little more elbow grease during the always pesky pollen season.

As a bonus, this product can be used to detail just about anything with wheels, and then some. Multitasking products are always welcome on the storage shelves.

Another plus was the odor. Most found it pleasing (and a couple of users even claimed it made their hands soft!). So, constantly sticking your hands in a bucket of solution is not a problem. But use some caution, it is an eye irritant.

Because this product is a concentrate, one bottle makes a lot of cleaning solution. That means for those who like a bargain, buying a waterless wash in the concentrated form is your best value. You avoid shipping and storing larger quantities of liquid, but remember you do need to mix it and you will use two gallons of water per wash.

One drawback when shipping any liquid, it can leak in transit. So, if you buy online, use a reputable retailer who packages their items well.