These cleaning tools should absolutely not be used to clean cars, to avoid wasting money.

Many pragmatic, money-saving consumers follow unfounded advice on social media platforms and use household cleaning tools and detergents to clean their cars. This can damage the vehicle and reduce its value, leaving owners in a situation where they lose money and suffer consequences.

Below are some tools and cleaning products that should not be used to clean a car.

Dishwashing sponge

Dishwashing sponges are common cleaning tools in every household, but they should only be used to clean dishes, plates, and cooking utensils, etc., because they are made of rough materials such as nylon fibers or stainless steel, which have high abrasive properties to remove stubborn stains and burnt-on food.

Therefore, using dishwashing sponges to clean car surfaces is a mistake; they can scratch the car's paint, creating noticeable, deep scratches that detract from its appearance. Furthermore, dishwashing sponges can dull the paint's natural shine, making it more susceptible to dirt and oxidation over time.

Stiff plastic bristle brush

Brushes with stiff bristles are often used to clean floors and surfaces with stubborn stains very effectively, but they are not suitable for cleaning cars.

Many users heed unfounded advice on social media and use these types of brushes to clean stubborn stains on car paint or rims, causing serious damage to the surface. With their stiff bristles, these brushes not only scratch the paint but also damage the glass, headlights, and sensitive components such as sensors around the car. Although the scratches may be minor, restoring the paint to its original condition is quite costly and affects the car's value.

Used clothes

Using old clothes to wipe and clean a car is not a sensible choice and can cost car owners money unnecessarily. First, old clothes are often not as soft and smooth as specialized cleaning cloths, easily scratching the car's paintwork. Besides, old clothes may contain dust, sand, or other impurities left over from previous use, which can scratch the paint surface during cleaning.

Furthermore, the material of old clothes often doesn't absorb and remove dirt effectively, resulting in ineffective cleaning and leaving stains or streaks. Using old clothes can also leave lint or fibers on the car's surface, detracting from its appearance and causing discomfort. Therefore, to protect the car's surface and ensure effective cleaning, it's best to use specialized towels designed specifically for car cleaning.

Washing powder

Using laundry detergent to clean your car is a misguided but commonly practiced method. Laundry detergents contain strong cleaning agents designed to remove stains from clothing, but they can be too harsh for the paintwork and sensitive parts of a vehicle.

When using laundry detergent, the harsh chemicals in it can erode the protective paint layer, causing discoloration or damage to the paint surface, making the car lose its natural shine and beauty. Additionally, detergent may not dissolve completely in water, leaving residue on the car's surface, creating unsightly stains that are difficult to remove. Furthermore, some ingredients in detergent can harm rubber and plastic parts on the car, making them brittle and more prone to damage.

Shampoo containing caffeine

Caffeinated shampoos are specifically designed to care for hair and scalp, not to clean car surfaces. The ingredients in these shampoos, including caffeine and hair conditioners, are not effective at cleaning paintwork and car parts. They can leave a greasy film or streaks on the paint surface, reducing the shine and aesthetics of the vehicle.

Furthermore, regular shampoos are not effective at removing dirt, grease, and other stubborn impurities commonly found on cars. Using shampoos containing caffeine can also be wasteful due to their higher cost compared to specialized car cleaning products. To protect and maintain your car's appearance, it's best to use cleaning products specifically designed for automotive cleaning.