Guide · Car wash and vehicle care ·
Can You Wash a Car with Laundry Detergent?
Laundry detergent is made to remove dirt from fabric in the washing machine or by hand; it is not a product made for car paint, carpets, sofa upholstery or dishes that come into contact with food. Using the household detergent for another job may seem easy, but it can leave residue on the surface, its foam is hard to rinse off and in the long run it can damage the surface. This guide explains why laundry detergent is not recommended on cars, carpets, sofas and dishes and which product to use for each job.
Can you wash a car with laundry detergent?
Not recommended. Strong cleaners such as laundry and dishwashing detergents can, with regular use, thin the wax and protective layers on the paint and dry out plastic and rubber parts; if powder detergent does not dissolve fully, it can leave residue and create a risk of scratches on the paint. Use a car shampoo made for the purpose: car shampoo. For the reasons, see what is car shampoo; for the steps, how to use car shampoo.
Can you wash a carpet with laundry detergent?
Laundry detergent is not recommended on carpets; detergent left between the carpet fibres is hard to rinse out and can make the carpet get dirty quickly and leave marks. Use a carpet shampoo made for carpets and follow the method on the label (how to use carpet shampoo). For stains on carpets, a carpet-safe stain remover such as TETİK Binbir Stain Remover can be used; test the product on a hidden area first.
Can you clean a sofa with laundry detergent?
Laundry detergent is not recommended on sofas and upholstery; detergent left in the fabric can leave ring-shaped marks and soak into the padding. For sofa fabric, TETİK Kar Aspirin, whose label includes use on sofas and upholstery, can be used; test the product on a hidden spot first and work without soaking the fabric. For details, see how to clean a sofa.
Can you wash dishes with laundry detergent?
No. Laundry detergent is not made for surfaces that come into contact with food and can leave residue on dishes. Wash plates, glasses, pans and cutlery with lukewarm water and dishwashing liquid and rinse them with plenty of water (how to use dishwashing liquid). Do not put laundry detergent in the dishwasher either.
Can you mop floors with laundry detergent?
When mopping floors, laundry detergent can leave foam and a slippery residue. For products suited to each floor type and the mopping steps, see what to mop floors with.
Car interior and car seats
On car seat fabric, door panels and floor mats, TETİK Kar Aspirin, whose label includes use in car interiors, can be used; plastic surfaces are wiped with a damp microfibre cloth. For details, see how to clean a car interior and how to clean car seats.
The right product for each job
- Car exterior: car shampoo.
- Carpet: carpet shampoo; for stains on carpets, a carpet-safe stain remover.
- Sofa and upholstery: a product whose label includes use on sofas and upholstery.
- Dishes: dishwashing liquid or gel dishwashing detergent.
- Laundry: detergent for coloureds and whites or powder machine detergent.
- Do not mix cleaning products with each other (can cleaning products be mixed).
- For why surface cleaner and liquid soap are not used on cars: wash a car with surface cleaner, wash dishes with liquid soap.
- For what pH neutral car shampoo is: what is pH neutral car shampoo.
- For seat covers: how to wash car seat covers.
For car washes and cleaning businesses
In car washes, car detailing shops and cleaning companies, using a separate product for each surface protects both the result and the life of the surfaces. START Car Shampoo is produced in 5 kg, 20 kg and 30 kg, TETİK Carpet Shampoo in 1, 5, 20 and 30 kg and TETİK Kar Aspirin in 750 g, 5 kg and 30 kg packs. For product lists, see car wash supplies and chemicals and supplies for a cleaning company; request a quote for bulk purchases.
