What is Wash'n'Wax?

Wash'n'Wax was a product made famous in the UK by Turtlewax, but "wash and wax" is the name given to a category of products which are a two-in-one shampoo and wax.

You add it to your bucket of water as you would any other car shampoo, and wash your car as you would normally. However, the shampoo contains wax which will remain on your car, giving it a shine and providing light protection.

All the major car care brands produce a similar product, and they all do pretty much the same thing.

The life you get from this wax is not great, but it is assumed you will use the product again next time you clean your car in a week or two, so it doesn't need to be.

These products are highly recommended by us, not because of the level of protection, but because they are so easy. Even easier than spray on waxes, thus ensuring your car does get waxed often. In addition to this, they can be used over the top of a long life wax, polymer sealant and even a ceramic coating. Dry the car properly with a good quality microfibre towel, and you should get a streak free finish on paintwork, glass, chrome, plastic and even rubber.

And if you would still rather go fishing or watch football than fill up a bucket and wash your car at the weekend, not to worry. This is pretty much the exact same product that is pumped through automated car washes, or what you get when you hit the 'wax' button at the jet wash.

An additional benefit...

Across this website, and any others that give car care advice, you will hear us repeat, "Use a pH neutral shampoo, especially designed for cars". Whatever the brand, wash'n'wax type products are exactly that. These products are also a good quality car shampoo.

What people really expect from wash and wax

When people pick up a wash and wax shampoo, they are usually hoping for two things at once – a proper clean and a quick layer of protection so they do not have to wax the car separately. The idea is attractive: one bucket, one product, job done. In reality, it is still only a light, short-term top up rather than a full replacement for dedicated protection.

It is better to think of wash and wax as a mild shampoo with some gloss and beading boosters, not as a full wax job hidden in a bottle.

What wash and wax products actually do

A decent wash and wax behaves like a normal pH balanced shampoo with extra ingredients that cling to the paint as you rinse and dry.

• Cleaning - surfactants lift everyday road film and dirt so it can be rinsed away without stripping gentle protection.
• Slickness - waxes and polymers add a slightly smoother feel, which can help your wash mitt and drying towels glide more easily.
• Gloss and beading - the additives can give a small boost in shine and water behaviour for a few weeks after each wash.
• Top up effect - on a car that already has wax or sealant, they can help keep things ticking over between more serious treatments.

This makes them handy for maintenance, as long as you remember that the protection they leave behind is thin and short-lived.

Where wash and wax fits in the protection ladder

It helps to place wash and wax alongside your other options, so expectations stay realistic.

• Plain shampoo - focuses on cleaning, leaves very little behind, ideal as a neutral starting point.
• Wash and wax - cleans and leaves a light cosmetic layer that boosts gloss and beading for a short time.
• Aqua wax and spray sealants - applied after the wash, add a stronger temporary layer for a few weeks or months.
• Polymer and ceramic coatings - need more preparation, but provide the main long term sacrificial layer.

Seen this way, wash and wax is a helper in the maintenance stage rather than the main form of protection.

Limits and common misconceptions

The marketing on the bottle can make wash and wax sound more powerful than it really is.

• It will not give the same depth, durability or chemical resistance as a proper hand wax or sealant.
• It cannot stop stone chips, car park scrapes or deeper scratches, no matter how impressive the label looks.
• On a daily-driven car that lives outside, most of the protective benefit is noticeably reduced after a few washes or a month or two of weather.
• If the car has no real protection underneath, wash and wax alone will not keep damage at bay in the long term.

Used as a top-up, it makes sense. Used instead of any other protection, it is a bit light duty for hard use and long ownership.

Using wash and wax with existing protection

Wash and wax shampoos can work well on top of waxes, polymer sealants and even ceramic coatings, provided you choose sensibly.

• On a waxed or sealed car, they can refresh the look and feel without needing to reapply a full wax every time.
• On a ceramic coated car, it is safer to stick to wash and wax products that are clearly coating safe so you do not clog the surface with heavy fillers.
• Strong “strip wash” products should be avoided if you are relying on wash and wax for maintenance, as they remove the layer you are trying to build.
• If water behaviour suddenly drops away, it may be time for a proper decontamination and fresh base layer, not just more wash and wax.

Think of it as light seasoning sprinkled on top of your main protection, not the main ingredient.

When wash and wax is a sensible choice

There are plenty of situations where a wash and wax shampoo is practical and good value.

• Cars that already have decent protection and just need easy, regular maintenance.
• Short term or lower value cars where you want them to look presentable without investing in full correction and coatings.
• Garaged or lightly used cars where the environment is kind and a light top up goes a long way.
• Owners who enjoy washing the car regularly and are happy to build protection in small layers over time.

In all these cases, it is a convenient way to keep on top of things, as long as you still plan an occasional deeper protection step.

Best practice when using wash and wax

To get the benefit without dulling the paint, it helps to treat wash and wax like any other part of a safe wash routine.

• Rinse and pre wash first so you are not dragging heavy grit across the paint, whatever shampoo you use.
• Use the correct dilution, so the product can clean effectively without leaving sticky residue.
• Wash with soft mitts and plenty of solution, then rinse thoroughly so you are not leaving dirty suds behind.
• Dry with clean microfibres, ideally in the shade, so you do not get water spots baking into the surface.
• Plan periodic checks of your main protection – wax, sealant or coating – and refresh those properly when needed.

Handled this way, wash and wax becomes a useful maintenance aid in a sensible protection plan, rather than a shortcut that is asked to do more than it can.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 01/12/2025 15:32