From interweb - - - - A common question is: Can you wash your car with dish soap? If you think about what dish soap is made for like removing grease and caked-on food then you’ll understand why it’s not good for your car. While it does a good job, it’s good because it’s considered an abrasive soap. But, when you use an abrasive soap on something like car paint, it accelerates the oxidation process and gives the car a dull look. Dish soap will also break down a car’s wax coat and can be tough on rubber.

Now that you know not to use dish soap to wash a car, what does that leave you with? Laundry soap, hand soap, and other household cleaners are also off limits. These soaps are not pH balanced and can also damage your vehicle’s paint. To get the results you want, you’ll simply need car soap. Car soap contains more lubricant, which you’ll notice when you move it behind your fingers. The slick formula is much better for your car’s surface.