The Best Waterless Car Washes In 2023

Last updated: Today

Erin Carpenter

Top 5 Best Waterless Car Washes 2023:

  1. Aero Cosmetics Waterless Car Wash Kit
  2. Chemical Guys Eco-Smart-RU Waterless Car Wash
  3. Meguiar’s G3626 Waterless Wash and Wax
  4. Adam’s Waterless Car Wash
  5. FW1 Waterless Wash and Wax

Imagine that you have a date or an important meeting coming up, and your car looks like it’s just out of the rodeo. Unfortunately, you don’t have time to wash it, but you decide to go anyways. 

What kind of impression do you think you’ll leave when you arrive in that dirty thing?

We doubt that it will be a good one.

So please, spare yourself the embarrassment and get some waterless car wash. 

This convenient product will allow you to clean up your vehicle in under two minutes, and the best part is – no hose, no water, and no fuss required.

Today, we’ve prepared a list of the best waterless car wash brands, and some vital info that you need to consider when buying these products.

Related: The Best Car Wash Soaps

What To Know Before Buying A Waterless Car Wash?

Waterless car wash is a chemical solution that enables you to spot clean your car by simply spraying it on and wiping off. 

Wonderful right? Yes, but it isn’t that simple.

Different brands use different formulas, which means that these products vary in terms of chemical content, performance, and application.

This is why you need to pinpoint the carwash that’s going to suit your car’s paint as well as your preferences.

Read on to learn all about this!

1. Pre-mixed Or No

Certain brands’ car washes come in several containers and need to be mixed before use. On the other hand, there are pre-mixed washes that are ready to use straight out of the bottle.

The former is more difficult to use because you may make measurement mistakes when mixing the chemicals, or could accidentally spill something.

As for the pre-mixed variety, follow the guidelines that come with it and spray away!

2. No Toxic Chemicals

Some brands put chemicals in their car wash that can be harmful to the user and the environment. 

With this being said, it’s obvious that you try to avoid such products and instead, look for ones that don’t contain toxic ingredients.

How can you figure this out?

Check the list of ingredients! Simple as that.

Also, it might be useful to point out that many companies make car washes from natural components, and they work very well.

3. Wax Or No Wax

This is another crucial point that you need to consider before buying a waterless car wash. 

You see, the role of wax in car maintenance is to provide the vehicle with a nice shine and protection from UV rays. 

We’ll agree that this is a highly desirable thing for a car owner.

Now, it is a misconception that all waterless car washes contain wax; many do, but some don’t. 

The brands that do have wax will give your car lasting protection from the elements in any spot where you sprayed and smeared the solution. 

On the other hand, waxless car washes will only remove dirt, but you’ll need to apply wax separately if you want to retain the gloss after cleaning.

Another thing to look for here is carnauba wax. It is a type of all-natural wax that’s eco-friendly, and also has impeccable performance.

4. Accessories

A neat thing that many companies do is throw in some extras along with the waterless car wash. The accessories usually include something like a sponge, cloth, or a spray bottle. 

It’s needless to say that such items can be very helpful because they remove the need for you to buy them separately.

There’s just one thing that you should keep in mind.

If you already have all the cloths and sponges, then buy a bottle of carwash without the accessories. 

The reason we say this is the cost, which is usually lower if the extras are not included. Besides, the quality of these items is questionable, so don’t rely on them as your main washing tools.

5. Application

There are two main methods to apply the waterless car wash to the vehicle, spray and wet wipes.

Let us clarify.

The spray method is the most common, and it requires you to simply spray the solution on the car and then wipe it off. This way is very effective, and the results that it provides last for a long time.

The other way is using waterless car wash wipes, which eliminate the need for spraying. As we’ve mentioned, they don’t clean quite as well as the spray-on method but feel free to try both and see what you think.

6. Size Of The Bottle

More often than not, people neglect the importance of how big the carwash bottle is.

Ok, but why is this important?

The size of the package has an impact on two factors – portability and price. 

As with all other products, if you buy in bulk, it will turn out cheaper, so bigger car wash kits are going to be more economical. 

However, the trouble with this is that a bulky bottle is inconvenient to keep in your car. 

Ideally, you’d want to have the carwash with you at all times in case of emergency clean up, but this is only possible if the product is relatively small.

So, think about what’s more important to you before giving your money to any company.

7. Price

It might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people spend money on overpriced products every single day. 

How much money should you spend on waterless car wash?

We can’t tell you the exact amount, but we assure you that it should be in line with all the leading brands out there. 

If a car wash has a similar price to its top ten competitors, then you can be sure that it’s probably legit. 

In case the cost is significantly higher or lower than the rest, it is a cause for raised eyebrows.

See Also: The Best Bug And Tar Removers


5 Best Waterless Car Washes In 2023: Detailed Reviews

1. Aero Cosmetics Waterless Car Wash Kit

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Aero Cosmetics waterless car wash is one of the most popular products of its kind. Is all the hype justified? Let’s find out.

This solution enables you to wash anything from your car to motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle. In the package, you will get a spray bottle (16oz), a bottle of car wash (1 gallon), and four excellent cloths.

The kit is super simple to use. All you need to do is spray it on your car and wipe it off with one of the microfiber cloths that you got with the product. 

However, when compared to other brands, Aero Cosmetics is a bit more challenging to wipe off, so this might bother experienced waterless car wash users.

Now, one of the main advantages of this brand is that it doesn’t employ chemicals like ammonia and alcohol, which are often found in cleaning products. 

Because of this, Aero Cosmetics doesn’t have that strong smell that many people dislike. Besides, its ingredients also make this car wash eco-friendly.

Like many other waterless car washes, this one too includes wax, so your car will get a beautiful shiny finish once you’re done cleaning it. The wax doesn’t last too long, so keep this in mind if waxing is your priority.

Pros

  • Very effective
  • Includes wax
  • No strong smell
  • Four microfiber cloths included

Cons

  • A bit difficult to wipe off

2. Chemical Guys Eco-Smart-RU Waterless Car Wash

Image Credit: Amazon.com

If you’ve been around the car maintenance scene, you’ve probably heard of Chemical Guys. 

We’re going to take a look at their highly-praised Eco-Smart-RU waterless car wash, so hang around to learn what it’s all about.

It seems like carnauba wax has become the magical word in the waterless car wash industry, and this product contains it. This, of course, means that it is both good for the environment and also does a great job of protecting your car’s paint (suitable for all colors).

So, all-natural ingredients and no water required? It is an eco-friendly person’s dream!

The car wash is sold in 16-ounce spray bottles, so it’s small enough to be kept in your car regardless of how cramped up it is.

The issue with this is that you might have to use a lot of the car wash to remove some persistent dirt stains, which means that it’ll last you shorter. Combine this with the fact that Eco-Smart-RU isn’t the cheapest, and you’ve got yourself a hole in the wallet.

All in all, Chemical Guys’ car wash does what it’s supposed to do and does it well. It’s made from natural ingredients, which makes it good for our planet, and it’ll keep your car protected from the rising temperatures. 

Pros

  • Made from natural ingredients
  • Eco-friendly
  • Provides shine and protection

Cons

  • Doesn’t last for very long

3. Meguiar’s G3626 Waterless Wash and Wax

Image Credit: Amazon.com

In case you’re interested in a car wash that’ll give your vehicle long-lasting protection, then Meguiar’s G3626 might be what you’re looking for. 

This car wash isn’t only effective, but it’s also economical as you’ll get a 26-ounce spray bottle for a price that’s slightly below average.

But, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

The company advertises this product as having an advanced polymer formula, which is allegedly the reason why it’s able to produce such a lasting effect.

Another remarkable feature of this car wash is the fact that you can use it on various parts of the car, including glass, wheels, and even rubber. Not many brands offer this kind of versatility, and it gives G3626 a competitive edge.

However, it’s not all smiles and sunshine here.

There have been complaints that the product left the windshields a bit hazy, which is something that you certainly don’t want.

Also, this product might not be the best choice for black vehicles as it may leave visible swirls and wipe marks on the cars with this color.

Aside from these few setbacks, Meguiar’s G3626 is a high-quality waterless car wash that’ll make your “baby” shine, and keep it protected for a decent period of time.

Pros

  • Provides a long-lasting effect
  • Can be applied to different materials
  • Affordable 

Cons

  • Might make the windshield blurry
  • Leaves wipe marks on black paint

4. Adam’s Waterless Car Wash

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Adam’s car wash can do something that many others can’t – remove thick layers of grime off your car. How is it able to do this? Find out in the following paragraphs.

What sets Adam’s product apart from the rest is the extra addition of lubricants, surfactants, and other chemicals that bind to the dirt and thus remove it very efficiently. This gives you the ability to easily wash heavy dirt without a single drop of water.

One more cool thing about this product is that it comes in several sizes and kits. For example, you have the basic 16-ounce spray bottle, but you can also buy a 5-gallon refill tank or even a kit with cloths. 

Once you spray the car wash, you’ll notice that it has a pleasant, fruity smell, so it’s not invasive on the nose. It’s effortless to wipe off, which means that cleaning time depends only on how fast you can wipe.

A downside of Adam’s solution is that it doesn’t contain any wax, and won’t provide the car with protection from the elements.

So, who is this waterless car wash for?

It’s for folks who need to remove a lot of dirt quickly and effectively without the need for (or access to) water. 

Pros

  • Able to remove thick dirt
  • Pleasant smell
  • Available in several sizes and kits
  • Quick to wipe off

Cons

  • Doesn’t contain wax

5. FW1 Waterless Wash and Wax

Image Credit: Amazon.com

FW1 is advertised as a car wash for racers and formula drivers. It’s proven to work well in the pit, which means that it can clean thoroughly and fast.

How does it compare to the others?

First off, there is the carnauba wax, which is one of the main ingredients, and it ensures a sparkling finish and protection. Again, this component is eco-friendly, the importance of which cannot be overstated.

Second, this car wash is versatile, and besides the paint, it can be used on glass, wheels, and chrome. You can spray it pretty anywhere on the car without having to worry about anything.

Third, FW1 is sold in 12-ounce cans, which isn’t the biggest package out there, but it should last you as long as the others. You can buy only one, or get it in packs of 3, 6, 9, and 12 cans. 

Fourth, a major con of this product is that it can’t remove water spots very well. It will do away with any kind of dirt in an instant, but water spots are its arch-nemesis.

Last, FW1 certainly belongs among the top-notch waterless car washes, despite its minor shortcomings. Nevertheless, this is a great product that’ll help you keep your car clean at any given moment.

Pros

  • Versatile (can be used on different surfaces)
  • Eco-friendly (carnauba wax)
  • Cleans up dirt effectively

Cons

  • Doesn’t remove water spots well

Conclusion

So, dear readers, we’ve made it to the end of our extensive list, and now it’s time to pick the winning product. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but we decided to go for Aero Cosmetics as the best product of the roundup. 

Why did we choose this one over all the others?

The main reason is that it is an affordable and quality car wash that contains all that it should, it works very well and is good for the environment too.

Now, let me remind you that the competition was fierce as all the remaining products are astonishingly good as well. 

You don’t have to agree with us on our top pick; just get the car wash that seems like the best one for you.

About Erin Carpenter

Erin Carpenter has over 15 years experience in the diamond industry working with Artic Canadian Diamonds, Anglo-American Diamonds. She is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as USA Today, Forbes, The New York Times and more.