What Are the Hazards of Using Self-Cleaning Agents for Car Washing?

[AllieAnn]

The hazards of using self-cleaning agents for car washing are: 1. It can corrode the car paint; 2. It may cause certain harm to the human body. Self-cleaning agents are mainly used to clean stains on tires and rims, and they generally have very high alkalinity, basically falling into the category of caustic soda. Even when diluted to a ratio of 1:100, they remain strongly alkaline and highly corrosive. Cleaning ability does not represent the quality of a cleaner; cleaning is just one function of a cleaning agent. What needs to be emphasized is whether the cleaning agent can ensure that the surface being cleaned is not subjected to secondary damage while cleaning. The correct approach is to choose safe and environmentally friendly professional car care products and refuse to use corrosive alkaline cleaning agents or acidic cleaning agents containing harmful acids.

[DelLaila]

As someone who frequently deals with car detailing, I've found that using an improper formulation of self-cleaning car wash solution can severely damage the car's paint surface, causing the gloss to fade and accelerating oxidation and discoloration. The chemical residues left on the paint easily attract dust, forming stubborn dirt, and over time can lead to small spots or deepen scratches. Some people use it for convenience but fail to notice that it washes away the wax layer, reducing the protective capability of the car body. I recommend switching to a neutral, dedicated car wash solution, followed by thorough rinsing and drying, which can effectively avoid these issues. In fact, regular polishing and waxing are more cost-effective in the long run, saving you from expensive paint repairs later on.

[OElias]

From an environmental perspective, self-cleaning detergent car washes pose significant hazards. The chemical additives flowing into the drainage system can pollute rivers and soil, causing harm to fish and insects. The water runoff during car washing also wastes large amounts of water resources. I've witnessed residential lawns developing yellow patches due to residual detergent corrosion, affecting the ecological environment. Phosphates or benzene compounds contained in these products can accumulate in the natural environment over time. Currently, there are green car wash alternatives available on the market, such as biodegradable solutions, which effectively clean while protecting the planet. After washing, I always drain the water completely to prevent overflow.

[SanJaxon]

I regretted using a self-cleaning detergent to wash my car just once: a few days after washing, white film spots appeared on the paint, feeling as rough as sandpaper—turns out it was chemical residue that wasn't rinsed off properly, causing corrosion. The edges of the tires also turned yellow and hardened, requiring extra costs to fix later. Since then, I only go to professional car washes—they have better equipment to control water flow, saving hassle and ensuring peace of mind. Don't cheap out on unknown brands of products.