We all want our cars to look sparkly clean after a good wash. However, things don’t always turn out the way we want especially when deep cleaning our cars at home with products we know.

If your car does not look better even after washing it, chances are you are using mobile car detailing products that contain harsh chemicals that are ruining your car.

Whenever your car is due for a car wash, taking it to a professional car detailing center in Newport News for that much-needed TLC is always the best option. On those occasions you go for DIY car cleaning, you must get everything right as they do at the detailing center- from what products you use to the cleaning technique used that will leave your interior and exterior detail sparkling without any visible damage.

But that’s not always the case.

There are car wash products we use that you should think twice about using. They may contain one or more of the following chemicals that are considered harsh on your car- possibly even your health.

• Naphthalene
• Hydrofluoric acid
• Perchloroethylene and Methylene Chloride
• Methanol
• Petroleum distillates
• crystalline silica
• Benzene

Naphthalene

It is a compound contained made from crude oil. It is used in car wash products as a fragrant or dye that helps enhance the look of your car. On the downside, high levels of Naphthalene can cause respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, and digestive problems. This compound is carcinogenic as well and can cause cancer.

Hydrofluoric acid 

It is another toxic compound contained in some wheel cleaners. This chemical in its liquid or vapor form can make you feel dizzy, nauseated, or experience migraines. Hydrofluoric acid could also burn your skin and tissues. In worse cases, this chemical can also cause bone and deep tissue damage.

Perchloroethylene and methylene chloride

These are carcinogenic compounds used in degreasing sprays. Inhaling these sprays could irritate your skin and eyes.

Methanol

It is another ingredient used in car detailing products. Methanol irritates the skin and eyes as well. Over time, methanol vapors can damage the eyes or cause brain disorders.

Petroleum distillates

These are carcinogenic and can cause cancer.

Crystalline silica

It is also a carcinogenic compound that can cause malignant growths.

Benzene 

It is an ingredient in some lubricants and dyes. Benzene is a health hazard when inhaled or if it touches your skin.

Always read the ingredients of the car detailing products you purchase. Although we do insist on hiring professional auto detailing services to do the heavy lifting for you. Auto detailing experts work in a controlled environment and wear gear that protects them from such fumes.

Besides the harsh chemicals we mentioned, there are other products that, though mild, can still ruin your car.

Silicone-based dashboard cleaners may not cause damage to your car but they can create an unpleasant glare on your dashboard and reduce visibility while driving. Did you know that over 5000 car crashes are caused by sun glare?

Although dish soap sounds like an inexpensive option for removing grease marks on your car, the ingredients used in the product can be harsh on your car- especially the interior. Dish soap is harsher than most car detailing products. It may work to remove grease but it can also alter the protecting coating on your car’s surface, especially the interior fabric.

Never use bleach products in your car. Although bleach is an effective stain remover, it has corrosive properties that will damage your paint job and ceramic coating. Ensure that all other cleaning products you use do not contain traces of bleach.

Avoid using ammonia-based glass-cleaning products on your car. Ammonia is a harsh chemical on your car’s interior as it can damage the car’s upholstery and cause a musty smell. Moreover, ammonia glass cleaners can also ruin the electronics in your car- especially the touch-enabled control panels on your dashboard. The ammonia chemical will cheap away at the protective film on your car touch screen, making it less responsive over time.

Alcohol-based cleaning products work great on various surfaces but not your leather seats. Leather car seats have a urethane coating that can wear off when wiped with an alcohol-based product. When this layer is destroyed, it exposes the leather to dirt particles and other contaminants. The leather can also get heat damage if you do not have tinted windows.

Part of maintaining your vehicle is ensuring you use the right car detailing products. Always check the ingredients in the wash and wax products you buy to ensure there are no traces of harmful chemicals that can destroy your car’s exterior, the interior upholstery, or harm your health.

We do recommend hiring car detailing services to be safe. At Just’ In Detail, we do care about the exterior and interior detail of your car. We use premium car detailing products that are certified to be safe for use on cars.

If you are looking for a car detailing near me that uses the best products and quality workmanship to make your car look as good as new. Our ceramic detail packages are affordable and tailored to all cars- from sports cars to SUVs, to trucks, you name it!

Check out our headlight restoration services as well. We restore yellowed, hazy, and foggy headlights. We remove scratches and swirls to improve the beam of your headlights. Call us if your headlights are cracked, scratched, or flickering.

We are a premium car wash in Newport News. Bring your car to us and we will give it a thorough clean, inside and outside. We go the extra mile with everything- whether it is removing surface dirt on your car to thoroughly cleaning your cup holders and floor mats. We are that good!