One of the worst things you can do for your car is to use household cleaners to scrub dirt and stains from the finish, so ditch the dish soap and laundry detergent. These products aren't designed to safely remove dirt and stains from your car, and, in most cases, their harsh chemical formulas will do a lot more harm than good to any wax you may have on your car.

You should also steer clear of wash cloths, bath towels and shower sponges. These cleaning accessories may be great for exfoliating your skin, but they're too rough to use on your car. Plus, the bulky fibers of most cotton cloths don't safely encapsulate dirt and soils. Instead, they drag these contaminants across the finish, leaving tiny scratches and swirls that dull the transparency of the clear coat.

Using a high-quality car wash soap and wash mitt will help you avoid much of the damage caused by dirt and other contaminants. At Turtle Wax, every car wash soap, sponge and microfiber towel we sell is safe for automotive use. We recommend a high-foaming, lubricating car wash detergent like our M.A.X. Power Wash to prevent tough soils from grinding into the clear coat.

You'll also need a microfiber cloth or wash mitt, a bucket, and a grit guard to filter dirt and debris from your cleaning solution. These supplies are all included in our Easy Wash & Wax Kit, a great money-saving bundle with everything you need to create an extra smooth, flawless finish!

Your wheels pick up tons of heavier soils and road grime that could transfer to the rest of your vehicle and scratch or damage the paint surface. To avoid cross-contamination, you should wash your wheels with a separate cleaning tool before moving on to the rest of your car.

We recommend a dedicated wheel cleaning brush like the Wheel Woolie, along with our All Wheel & Tire Cleaner, to remove brake dust from your wheels and tires. Be sure to hit every surface of your wheels, including the rims, spokes, wheels facing and even the brake rotors and calipers!

Of course, one of the best ways to protect your vehicle against scratches and swirls is to apply a fresh layer of wax to a clean paint surface. While this won't help you avoid scratches during this particular car wash, it will reduce the risk of scratches during your next wash and make it easier for the rinse water to slide off your car, promoting water beading for faster dry time. Plus, car wax has a long list of other benefits, including UV protection, chemical resistance and a wet-like shine.

Any car wax will make your washing easier, but if you're looking to add the most protection to your car in the least amount of time, we recommend our Hybrid Solutions PRO Flex Wax. This ultra-premium spray wax is infused with pure graphene for maximum heat dissipation, durability and an eye-popping gloss.