Best Car Shampoos of 2025

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Car shampoos are specially formulated cleaning solutions designed to effectively remove dirt, grime, and other contaminants from the exterior of cars. These shampoos come in a variety of formulations, including concentrated and ready-to-use options, and are often infused with wax or other protectants to help maintain the vehicle's finish. They can be used in conjunction with a variety of cleaning tools, including sponges, brushes, and microfiber cloths, and are an essential component of any car detailing kit. With so many options available, it's important to choose a car shampoo that is compatible with your vehicle's paint and offers the cleaning power and performance you need to keep your car looking its best.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Car Shampoos
CarPlan Ultra Wax & Wash Shampoo, 5 L
CarPlan Ultra Wash & Wax is designed to effectively remove dirt and road grime from your vehicle's paintwork, while simultaneously adding a protective wax layer. This means you can achieve a streak-free showroom shine with ease. The incredible sudsing action lifts away dirt, making your car cleaning experience quick and efficient. It is an ideal solution for maintaining a clean and shiny finish between regular waxing, enhancing both protection and glossiness. With its pH neutral formula, you can gently clean your car without stripping existing wax.
Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner, 2.5L
The Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo is a low foam car wash solution that offers deep cleaning while leaving a glossy, water-repellent finish. This means you can enjoy a shiny car with ease, as rinsing and drying become simpler thanks to its water-repellent technology. Being pH neutral, it effectively removes road dirt and grime without harming any wax or polish already on your vehicle. With up to 125 washes from just one capful per 20 litres of water, it provides exceptional value for your home car cleaning kit.
Autoglym High Foaming Car Wash 1 Litre
Autoglym Foaming Car Wash is an excellent choice for maintaining your vehicle's exterior. This high foam, pH neutral shampoo effectively lifts dirt and contaminants, ensuring a spotless finish on all bodyworks, including matte and satin surfaces. You can achieve up to 50 washes with just two capfuls per 10 litres of water, providing remarkable value. Plus, with its zero additives, you can trust that it won’t strip away any wax or sealants, making it ideal for those who want to keep their car looking pristine.
Holts Professional Car Shampoo and Wax
Holts Car Wash is designed to tackle stubborn dirt like insects and bird residue, ensuring your car's paintwork remains protected and streak-free. This professional-quality shampoo and wax can be used for hand washing or with a pressure washer, giving you flexibility for a thorough clean at home. The dual-action formula not only cleans but also adds a protective layer with wax, helping your vehicle stay shiny and clean for longer. With one five-litre bottle, you can enjoy over 300 washes, making it a reliable choice for your car maintenance.
Meguiar's Ultimate Car Wash and Wax 1.4L
Meguiar's Ultimate Wash offers a fantastic way to keep your car looking pristine. With its clear coat safe Carnauba, you can trust that your vehicle’s finish will be protected while achieving a deep, glossy shine. The innovative Synthetic Polymer Technology enhances durability, ensuring that your car looks freshly waxed for longer. Additionally, the amazing suds produced make washing your car an enjoyable experience, providing effective cleaning without harsh scrubbing. This product truly elevates your car care routine.
Turtle Wax Big Orange Car Shampoo 5 Litre
The Turtle Wax Car Shampoo is an economical choice for those seeking a quick and effective clean for their vehicles. It features powerful foaming detergents combined with orange oil, which work together to swiftly lift ingrained dirt and traffic film. You’ll appreciate how the added rinse aids and waxes make rinsing effortless, leaving your car with a streak-free finish. This shampoo not only ensures a thorough clean but also enhances the shine of your vehicle, making it look its best with minimal effort.
Simoniz Professional Car Wash Shampoo & Wax 5L
Simoniz Car Wash Shampoo is a dual-action product designed for easy and effective car cleaning. With its large 5-litre container, you can tackle multiple washes without frequent repurchases. The superior deep cleaning capability swiftly removes dirt, making your car look pristine. As you wash, the added wax helps achieve a showroom shine while protecting your paintwork from harmful deposits. Enjoy a streak-free finish that enhances your vehicle's appearance, all while saving time during your cleaning routine.
Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo is a rich and luxurious car wash designed to gently wash and condition your vehicle's paint in one easy step. Its premium formula produces rich suds that effectively foam away tough dirt, road grime, and contaminants, making your cleaning process efficient and straightforward. The ultra-rich paint conditioners work to clear away debris, revealing vibrant colours and clarity, so your car looks radiant. Plus, the biodegradable formula ensures you can wash your car with peace of mind, knowing you're using safe ingredients.
Autoglym Polar Wash Snow Foam Shampoo
Autoglym Polar Wash is a highly effective snow foam car shampoo designed for use with home pressure washers. It creates a thick, clingy foam that easily encapsulates dirt, traffic film, and road grime, making it simple for you to achieve a clean vehicle without moving dirt around. Safe for all surfaces, including wheels and trim, it won’t strip away previous waxes or sealants. For best results, consider using it after a pre-wash with Autoglym Polar Blast, and follow up with Polar Seal for added protection.
Pro-Kleen Wash & Wax Shampoo with Carnauba Wax
The Pro-Kleen Car Wash Shampoo is designed to safely lift dirt and grime from your vehicle's surfaces, including paintwork, alloys, and mirrors. Its unique formula, enriched with high-quality carnauba wax, not only cleans but also enhances the shine of your car, giving it a glossy finish. You will appreciate the invisible water-repellent film it leaves behind, which helps your vehicle dry faster and offers added protection. Simply mix two capfuls with warm water, and you can easily achieve professional results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What car shampoo do professionals use?
Autoglym are one of the biggest detailing brands in the UK and their car wash shampoo is by far the most popular. The popularity is mainly due to the value for money and its ability to effortlessly remove dirt and grime.
2. Is car shampoo with wax good?
If you use a shampoo and wax, it will add a layer of short-term protection from dirt and road grime (possibly up to a month's worth) to the paintwork - which also gives it an added depth of shine. The protective film from shampoo and wax products also mean you'll notice the water run off the car quicker.
3. What does shampoo do to a car?
Today, car shampoos are developed for specific tasks, such as removing acidic and sticky bug guts, bird crap, and tree sap, to removing debris on a vehicle that is protected by a specific paint protection product.
During our car shampoo research, we found 211 car shampoo products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 267,718 customer reviews through our big data system to write the car shampoos list. We found that most customers choose car shampoos with an average price of £15.66.
The car shampoos are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of car shampoos, including CarPlan, Autoglym, Holts, Meguiar's, Turtle Wax.

Joseph is a seasoned writer who's also passionate about automotive. His passion for automotive care and maintenance fuels his drive for more knowledge in the field. He currently resides in Middlesbrough, where he finds time to write informative contents on automotive. His automotive related articles are quite popular in journals around the world. Joseph continues to use his wealth of experience in the industry to create helpful guides on automotive.