When discussing the potential impact of "laundry detergent" and "dish soap", two daily cleaning products used in car washes, we had to delve into their respective compositions, mechanisms of action, and specific effects on vehicle paintwork. This topic may seem small, but it is actually about every car owner's careful consideration of their car maintenance.
Washing powder:
Laundry detergent, as a common item for washing clothes at home, its main ingredients include surfactants, detergents, stabilizers, brighteners, flavors and enzymes. These ingredients excel in laundry washing and are effective in removing stains, but they are out of place when applied to car washes.
First of all, the alkaline components in laundry detergent are high, and long-term use will seriously damage the grease layer on the surface of the car paint, causing the car paint to lose its luster and accelerate aging. The surface of the paint is covered with a protective varnish layer, which not only makes the body look brighter, but also assumes the responsibility of insulating the external environment. The alkaline substances in the laundry detergent will erode this protective film, exposing the paint directly to the air and being susceptible to natural factors such as ultraviolet rays and acid rain, thereby accelerating the fading and aging of the paint.
Secondly, the particulate substance in laundry detergent can scratch the paint during the car wash, especially when using a hard sponge or brush, and this risk of scratching is multiplied exponentially. Although these subtle scratches are not noticeable at first, they can accumulate over time and affect the overall aesthetics of the body.
In addition, some chemical components in laundry detergent may also cause damage to the rubber and plastic parts of the vehicle, causing them to harden and crack, and shorten their service life. These components, such as window seals and wiper strips, may seem inconspicuous, but they have an important impact on the tightness and driving safety of the vehicle.
Dish soap:
Compared with laundry detergent, dish soap is milder in terms of composition, and its main ingredient is anionic surfactants, which have good decontamination ability and relatively little harm to the human body and the environment. However, this does not mean that dish soap is ideal for car washes.
Although dish soap is relatively mild, its ability to remove oil is too strong, which may also affect the grease layer on the surface of the car paint. Although this effect is much smaller than that of laundry detergent, long-term use can still cause the paint to lose its gloss. In addition, dish soap has a rich lather, and if it is not rinsed thoroughly, the residue may form a thin film on the surface of the paint, which can affect the appearance of the car and even attract dust and dirt.
What's more, dish soap is not designed for car washes, and its pH may not match the ideal environment for car paint. Long-term use of dish soap to wash your car may gradually change the acid-base balance of the paint surface, which can lead to a series of maintenance problems.
Professional Car Wash:
Given the drawbacks of laundry detergent and dish soap in car wash applications, professional car wash liquid has undoubtedly become a safer and more efficient choice. Professional car wash liquid is designed according to the characteristics of car paint, and has the advantages of strong decontamination ability, mild and non-damaging paint, rich foam and easy to rinse, and protection of the grease layer on the surface of car paint. Using a professional car wash liquid can not only completely remove dirt and oil stains from the surface of the car body, but also effectively protect the car paint and prolong its service life.
In addition, professional car wash fluids often contain special protective ingredients, which can provide a protective film for car paint while washing the car, effectively blocking the damage of external factors such as ultraviolet rays and acid rain. This protective film not only improves the gloss of the paint, but also smooths the surface of the car and reduces the adhesion of dust and dirt.
Conclusion:
To sum up, although "laundry detergent" and "dish soap" are both common cleaning products, they perform very differently in the specific scenario of car washing. Due to the presence of strong alkaline and granular substances, laundry detergent has greater damage to car paint; Although dish soap is relatively mild, long-term use may also have a certain impact on the car paint. In contrast, professional car wash liquid has become the best choice for car washing due to its safe, efficient and professional characteristics. Therefore, when maintaining your car, we should try to choose a professional car wash to ensure that the car paint is best protected.