This Spray Is a Carwash in a BottleAlayna Wilkening - Car and Driver"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."While it won't replace a full wash and wax, a waterless carwash spray can be a useful addition to your car-show tool kit. These sprays eliminate the need for a hose and bucket, and some even come with wax or ceramic properties for an extra layer of protection.Throw a bottle in your trunk and become the owner of the shiniest car in the lot at your next car show. Within minutes, the bug guts and dirt you've collected on the way can disappear with just a spray and a swipe. We tested six products of this type, and we're highlighting two below that worked well for us.When Should You Use a Waterless Car Wash?Waterless washes are best suited for cars with well-maintained paint jobs, though nobody's stopping you from using one on your less-than-pristine daily driver. They work best as a quick touch-up for car shows, a night on the town, or just for cleaning off splash marks.AdvertisementAdvertisementTo use, spray the light cleaning solution on your car, one section at a time, and immediately wipe the dirt away with a clean microfiber cloth. Always flip to a clean part of the cloth when one side gets dirty, and it's important to wipe away debris in a straight line to mitigate scratching from any rigid or sharp particles.Alayna WilkeningAdam's Polishes Adam's Polishes Waterless Wash (16oz)$13 at amazon.comMost waterless carwash sprays advise against using them on a heavily soiled car, for a number of reasons. Intended for quick wipe-downs, they won't get the entire vehicle truly clean, and too much surface dirt or mud can scratch the paint underneath. There's no clear line on what constitutes "too much" dirt, but we recommend avoiding cars that feel gritty to the touch or have larger spots such as bird droppings or mud splashes.Cars covered in small bugs, dust, or pollen, however, are good candidates for a satisfying wash experience using this kind of cleaner. The biggest perk of a waterless car wash is its ability to be used as a stand-alone product, meaning all you'll need is the spray bottle and a microfiber cloth. This makes it a great option for people in water-scarce areas or in places without a hose hookup, like apartment complexes, and for when you're traveling.Sadly, quick clean-ups are far in the rearview of Collin's '04 Corolla.Alayna Wilkening - Car and DriverChoosing the Right SprayThere are several types of waterless car washes on the market. The six we tested performed roughly the same, regardless of added wax or ceramic ingredients. We found slight differences in how the nozzle sprayed, what the bottle felt like in our hands, and how the product felt when we wiped it off, but there were no notable differences in results. Sprays with wax or ceramic properties may hold up better over time, but the application and immediate results felt nearly identical to washes without the additives.Alayna WilkeningFlowgenix Flowgenix Waterless Car Wash Spray$21 at amazon.comIdeally, you're using this in a situation where your car is already clean and regularly maintained. These sprays aren't going to replace a real wash, wax, or ceramic coat. Since they're all relatively affordable, it wouldn't hurt to spring for one with bonus features if you're looking for an extra layer of protection, but the sprays without extra ingredients worked just as well.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's not going to bring your rally car back to showroom quality from its most recent trek through the mud, but waterless car wash can be a simple and quick way to bring shine back to your ride.We found most waterless carwash sprays to be similar in application and results. They won't replace a hose and bucket but are perfect for a quick touch-up.Alayna Wilkening - Car and DriverWhy Trust UsThe Gear Team helps readers make informed purchasing choices about automotive gear, tools, and accessories through hands-on product evaluations and comprehensive testing. Car and Driver's renowned testing standards mandate that we use all products we feature and that our findings and recommendations are based on personal experience and knowledge—not hype. We won't claim to have tested something we haven't, and we'll never recommend a product we wouldn't buy ourselves.The Gear Team's product selection and gear picks are editorially independent; Car and Driver has a strict policy against accepting payment for placement in articles. We've evaluated dozens of product categories, including car wash soap, foam cannons, and car vacuums.Visit our Tested & Trusted collection to see the very best in automotive gear. Read more about our testing process here.You Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029