Hoseless Cleaners Tested

Beat any hosepipe ban this summer as we put 12 of the best spray-on cleaners to the test...

Auto Express Car Reviews

June 2010

CLEANING your car without a hose can be a pain – just ask any of the Auto Express road testers, who often have to get paintwork gleaming when they’re miles from running water!

The solution is a waterless cleaner, or a product that requires little more than a bucketful. These also suit eco-minded drivers wanting to conserve water, and many leave a rain-repellent finish. But which is best for keeping your car shining? We test 12 top buys.

The Test

There are three options- rinseless products, added to a bucket to cut water use, quick detailers (QDs) for a fast shine, and waterless sprays which are buffed to lift grime. The cleaners were applied to sections of a car, and we rated the finish, effort required and ease of use. Our final factor was cost per wash, excluding delivery.

Verdict

All these solutions work, but the waterless sprays are our favourites, with the Prolong top of the list. It lifts the dirt and is easy to apply. Top-value Eureka is second, ahead of the best QD, Mer’s Fast Detailer. Rinseless solutions are less user-friendly, but shift dirt well, with the DP version our choice.

Contacts
Autobrite (HD Free)
07951 576174
www.autobritedirect.co.uk
Autoglym 01462 677766 www.autoglym.com
Detailed Obsession (Poorboy’s World)
07943 872943
www.detailedobsession.com
Elite Car Care (No Rinse) 01344 890304
www.elitecarcare.co.uk
Eureka 0161 408 7698
www.eurekawaterless.co.uk
Meguiar’s 0870 2416696 www.meguiars.co.uk
Mer 01992 512698
www.merproducts.com
Motorgeek (DP Rinseless) 01924 468915
www.motorgeek.co.uk
Netparts (ProShine)
07740 360560
www.netparts.co.uk
Onedrywash (Miracle Drywash) 0800 881 8062
www.onedrywash.com
Perma Clear (ProDry)
01775 711065
permaclear-carcare.co.uk
Pro-motiv (Prolong)
01628 828473
www.prolong-uk.com