How many times per month should I wash my car?

At a minimum, a car for private use should be washed every two weeks. Some people prefer a weekly wash, or even more often depending on the climate and conditions in which the car is driven. Cars used for transporting the public should be cleaned daily inside and out.

Can I wash my car with regular soap or household detergent?

This is not recommended. Car cleaning products are specifically created to protect your car paint and protective coating while regular cleaning supplies may slowly strip this away causing damage over time.

Can I use the car shampoo for the wheels as well?

Wheel cleaners are designed to remove ingrained stubborn dirt on the wheels. Although you can use car shampoo this will only remove surface layer dirt so it won’t be quite as effective.

Maintenance and Repair » American Motor Association

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