Glossary
Waterless wash
A spray-on lubricant that lets a lightly dirty car be wiped clean with microfiber towels and no water at all.
A waterless wash is a spray bottle product sprayed directly onto the paint and wiped off with a microfiber towel, with no water, hose or bucket used at any point in the process. The spray itself provides the lubrication that lets dirt slide off under the towel rather than scratching the surface as it is wiped.
This approach only works well on cars that are lightly dirty, mainly dust and a thin layer of road film, since it relies entirely on spray volume for lubrication with no bucket of solution to fall back on for heavier grime. It is popular for quick touch ups, show cars between events, or anyone without easy access to a hose.
Spray generously and let the product sit for a moment before wiping, rather than wiping immediately, to give it time to loosen dirt first. Use several clean towels rather than one, folding to a fresh face regularly. A common mistake is trying to waterless wash a genuinely dirty car after a long drive or off road use, where there simply is not enough lubrication in the spray to safely lift heavier contamination without marring the paint.