Is Simple Green Safe on Car Paint?

Yes, Simple Green is generally safe on car paint. But we don’t recommend it as your go-to wash soap for daily use.

Simple Green formulas are an urgent solution for situations where you urgently need to wash your car but have run out on cleaning soap. It is natural to try to improvise in such circumstances by using your everyday kitchen cleaning agent to get rid of the dirt on your car.

This article will tell you about the effects of Simple Green on car paint and show you the right way to use this cleaning agent whenever you run out of car washing liquid.

Can You Use Simple Green for Car Wash?

Yes, you can use simple green for car wash. However, we must emphasize it should be used as an alternative to specialized wash soap.

Although simple green ingredients are generally safe for all surfaces, we still must be cautious when applying them to car paint. Simple Green is a non-abrasive cleaning agent. Therefore, although it won’t leave scratch marks when you scrub, this cleaning agent can slowly eat off your clear coat due to its potent formula.

People love Simple Green because of how easy it is to get rid of tough grease stains. However, this concentrated solution might not be the best for your car’s exterior due to its long-term effects.

That said, Simple Green puts car owners in a bit of a dilemma. Filthy cars need a concentrated soap solution for effective cleaning, and Simple Green is a great cleanser. But using an undiluted Simple Green solution will be too harsh for your paint, and a diluted solution may not do an excellent job of removing concentrated dirt and grime.

Does Simple Green leave residue on car paint?

Yes, Simple Green may leave a light residue on your car paint. When you add some Simple Green to water, it becomes safe to use on your automobile, but you should never let the soapy water dry on your car. If this happens, it will leave an oily residue that is extremely tough to remove.

Wash your vehicle under a shade, where the water will not evaporate as quickly as it would under the sun. We’d discuss in detail the best way to use Simple Green on car paint in subsequent sections of this text.

Summarily, this all-purpose cleaner does not affect the color of the paint unless it is left on your car’s body for a prolonged period on multiple occasions.

Is Simple Green safe on all surfaces?

Well, not really. On the Simple Green webpage, we are told the product is non-corrosive and non-abrasive, making it suitable for all surfaces. Additionally, Simple Green boasts a Safe Choice label authenticated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Meaning the product is effective for daily use and safe for the planet.

However, real-world usage doesn’t entirely agree with what the manufacturer says. There have been numerous complaints of the adverse effects of continued use of Simple Green for years. Besides damaging paint, the product is harmful to car rims, especially aluminum rims.

Can we call out Simple Green for this? No. Car paint is naturally susceptible to wear and tear and requires unique formulas to keep it pristine. Simple Green is a product made to clean household surfaces, not car exteriors. Therefore, it is a plus that the product shows significant effectiveness as a car wash.

Can you use Simple Green in a pressure washer?

Yes, Simple Green is excellent with a pressure washer. It’s advisable to use a diluted cleaning solution with a pressure washer to get rid of tough stains, grit, and some grease in your engine bed. A pressure washer is an excellent way to solve the dilemma we mentioned in earlier sections of this text.

How to wash your car with Simple Green? (Detailed Guide)

In this section, we’d show you the safest way to use Simple Green on car paint. 

How to Bucket Wash with Simple Green

Step 1: Rinse the entire car exterior

Step 2: Pour some Simple Green cleaning agent into a bucket of clean, soft water and use your hands to make it foam. 

Step 3: Dip your washing towel into the bucket and start washing.

Step 4: Concentrate on one portion at a time, and once you’ve finished washing one section, rinse it thoroughly before going on to the next.

Step 5: Use a microfiber towel to dry the surface. 

Using Simple Green is like every other car wash soap. However, there’s more emphasis on diluting the soap and rinsing each section immediately after washing.

How to use Simple Green on car paint with a pressure washer

Step 1: Choose a suitable nozzle.

Step 2: Rinse the car with plain water using the pressure washer.

Step 3: Dilute the solution to be about ten parts water to 1 part cleaner in a foam cannon.

Step 4: Apply the cleaning agent to the car’s surface using the pressure washer. Allow to sit for 2-3 minutes and use a car brush to remove grits.

Step 5: Rinse thoroughly with clean water using the pressure washer. 

If you hope to wash your engine bed with the power washer, ensure you avoid components that are susceptible to damage when exposed to water. 

Key Takeaways

Here are some helpful tips to safely use this cleaner.

• Do not use Simple Green at full strength (we cannot overemphasize this point).

• Wash in sections to prevent lather from drying on the car’s surface. Preferably wash under a shade. 

• Rinse immediately!

Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner For Cars

Final Thought

Simple Green is an excellent household product. However, the All-Purpose Simple Green formula isn’t the best cleaning agent for your car. It can be used in emergencies but never as an everyday wash soap.

If you are pleased with this brand’s performance, you can try out the Simple Green Car Wash product, created specifically for cars.

Remember, it’s better to drive around in a dirty car than damage the clear coat with a harsh cleaning agent. It will also cost a lot less to buy a suitable wash soap than to re-coat your car’s paint.

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