13 effective cleaning products that'll keep your car looking pristine - as recommended by a car enthusiast

If your at-home car washes include using liquid dish soap from the kitchen, you're doing it all wrong. Chemical Guys' car wash eliminates dirt and grime with a pH-neutral formula that's safe on all surfaces of your car. It has a foaming agent for maximum suds and a fresh honeydew scent.

To go along with the right car wash soap, you need the right cleaning tool. The Chemical Wash mitt easily cleans your car without scratching your paint. Its made of an extra plush, soft, and absorbent microfiber material, and is easier to control than a towel.

Waxing your car with traditional paste wax can be a long and tedious process. If you want the protection and shine of wax within minutes, 303 Touchless can provide it. The spray uses a SiO₂ (silicon dioxide) base to create a hydrophobic and UV barrier on paint, and it's also safe to use on windows and wheels. It made my car shiny, smooth, and repelled water longer than other waxes I've used. Read my full review here.

SuperClean Degreaser has a multitude of cleaning uses, so it comes in handy for many of your car detailing needs. I wouldn't recommend using it at full strength on your paint, but it works wonders cleaning built-up oil, grime, or dirt on your engine bay, under-body, or exhaust pipes. When diluted, it does a great job at cleaning carpets, floor mats, and chrome pieces as well.

Described as "the ultimate detail brush," the Brush Hero is perfect for cleaning car parts — most specifically tough to reach areas like wheels. It features a rotating brush head that is powered entirely by water pressure from a standard garden hose. I recently had the opportunity to try it out and experienced amazing results. You can read my full review here.

Even after washing your car meticulously, there's still dirt and debris that you just can't get off. That's where claying your car comes into play. The Mother's California Gold Clay Kit comes with two clay bars, Instant Detailer spray, and a microfiber cloth. Simply spray a liberal amount of detailer on the car and use the clay in a sweeping motion. At first, you'll feel some resistance (that's all the fine dirt and debris). Once it's all clean, your paint will be looking and feeling like glass. Whether your car is relatively new or decades old, you'll definitely notice a difference.

If you thought using old t-shirts and bath towels as rags was an ok idea, it's really not. Although you may not be able to see it immediately, they can scratch the surface of your paint. Microfiber cloths are a safe and effective way to detail your car without creating damage. Instead of using the same dirty cloth over and over, this 12-pack ensures you'll have a bunch of clean cloths at your disposal.

One of the most important, but often-skipped, steps to having an immaculately clean car is a decent coat of wax. Unlike thick waxes that take a lot of time to apply, Zymöl Cleaner Wax goes on easy and it works exceptionally well. Derived from a 120-year-old German formula, the wax cleans your paint (though not as a full car wash replacement) and is gentle and safe. For as long as I can remember, I've seen my dad use Zymöl on his cars. I've tried several other waxes for my own, but this is the one I've consistently come back to.

While most tire shines dry up and wear away after a day or so, Armor All Extreme Tire Shine lasts for weeks. The gel formula adheres to your tires to create a durable shield from the elements. It's also a great way to avoid messy over-spray on your wheels and fenders that you'd expect from a traditional tire shine.

Almost all modern cars have plastic headlight covers that get dull over time. Not only do they start to look bad, but they can also drastically reduce your headlight output. The Turtle Wax Headlight Cleaner & Scrub Daddy Restoration Kit can bring your plastic lenses to like-new condition — improving your car's appearance and your visibility.

If you've ever washed your car only to find it covered pollen the next morning, you know how frustrating it can be. Instead of having to clean your car all over again or let your fresh wash go to waste, use the California Car Duster. It effectively lifts dust with one pass and there's no need to use any water or cleaners.

Cleaning the inside of your car is just as important as cleaning the outside. With a cordless design and multiple attachments, the Black & Decker Dustbuster Auto Vacuum is perfect for reaching every part of your interior. Its compact design makes it easy to store in your trunk, too.

If you have leather interior, simply vacuuming isn't the only detailing step you should take. Leather Honey deeply penetrates into the pores of leather to protect new leather and rejuvenate old leather. In the long run, this conditioner can prevent cracks and tears associated with worn-out leather.

To prevent streaks or watermarks, it's always a good idea to hand dry your car after giving it a wash. If you've ever used a normal towel for this, you know how ineffective it becomes once it's soaking wet. The CleanTools Absorber is more absorbent than a towel makes drying anything faster and easier. Just wring the water out when you're done and put it back in the included storage tube.