Using household products on cars can lead to paint damage that costs thousands to repair.

In Car Cleaning, Humour, Lifestyle, Maintenance by Jonathan Humphrey

A recent survey by Autoglym, the UK’s largest vehicle care brand, has uncovered a startling truth-motorists in the UK are unknowingly inflicting significant harm on their cars. How? By using household cleaning products to tackle everyday dirt and grime. This includes unconventional items like washing-up liquid, scouring pads, scrubbing brushes, laundry detergent, floor cleaner, and even caffeine shampoo. The most commonly used product, washing-up liquid, is a major culprit. It strips away the car’s protective layers, leaving it defenseless against air- and water-borne contaminants and UV damage. Even seemingly harmless tools like scrubbing brushes and scouring pads can leave lasting scars on the paintwork. 

The aftermath of using these unconventional cleaning methods can be financially devastating. Repairing the damage can set you back a significant amount, with a typical family-car respray costing between £2,000 to £5,000. This hefty price tag is a stark reminder of the importance of using the right products for car maintenance. 

According to Laura Fippen, Head of Technical Services at Autoglym, none of these household products have been developed with car cleaning in mind, and some of the scouring pads and brushes could even be causing lasting damage. She suggests that consumers can quickly rebuild essential layers of protection by using products specially formulated to be used on cars. In the same survey, 29% of respondents expressed their dislike for removing stubborn deposits like bugs and tar during the car wash process. Fippen says using simple preventive measures can ease the burden in the future. “Using a specialist car shampoo and adding protection – such as a wax or a ceramic treatment – means removing stubborn dirt at the next wash becomes much easier.”

For those who have previously used household products to clean their cars, there’s no need to worry. Autoglym’s Ceramic Wash & Protect is an easy-to-use triple-action ceramic car shampoo that delivers a deep clean, creates a smooth high-gloss shine, and leaves a durable water repellent layer of protection. With its user-friendly design, Autoglym’s products make car maintenance a breeze, ensuring a quick and effective clean every time. 

If using unsuitable products in the past has left behind minor scuffs and swirls on paintwork, consumers can remove them with Autoglym’s Super Resin Polish. Autoglym’s All Purpose Cleaner is a great way of removing particularly stubborn dirt deposits on a car – both inside and on the exterior – without resorting to washing-up liquid. 

To ensure you’re not causing any damage to your car, it’s best to use products that are specially formulated for car cleaning. Autoglym offers a range of highly effective products that can easily be purchased at Amazon.co.uk/Autoglym, giving you the confidence that you’re using the best for your car’s maintenance.

For more information visit www.autoglym.com.


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