If you’ve been keeping up with my detailing content, you know I’m a massive advocate for rinseless washes. They’re efficient, versatile, and a game-changer for both enthusiasts and professionals—especially when water restrictions or time constraints are a factor. Best of all, IMHO, they are the most efficient, both in terms of cost and time spent.
One of the most common questions I’ve been getting lately is, “Which rinseless wash is the best?” As I mentioned in my recommendations post, I prefer to tailor my advice to you, the user, instead of focusing solely on my personal favorites. After all, everyone’s needs, preferences, and circumstances are different.
That being said, to make the right decision, it’s essential to understand that not all rinseless washes are created equal. There are several types available on the market, each with unique properties and benefits. Let’s break them down so you can better understand your options and make an informed decision.
The 5 Types of Rinseless Washes
Rinseless washes have evolved quite a bit since they first became available and popular. While there are broadly four main types, a newer category has emerged recently, making it worth considering. Let’s explore:
Polymer-Based Rinseless Washes
Polymer-based products are the foundation of the rinseless wash world. One of the original, or “OG” examples in this category is Optimum No Rinse (ONR). It’s been through several formula revisions over the years, so it may function more like a hybrid product now, but at its core, it was designed as a polymer-based rinseless wash.
These washes work by encapsulating dirt and contaminants in a polymer film, making them easy to remove without scratching. They also add incredible slickness to the surface during the washing process, reducing friction and protecting your paint.
If you’re looking for a great polymer-based option, another standout product is P&S Absolute Rinseless Wash. It ticks all the boxes for this category and is highly regarded for its lubricating properties.
Surfactant-Based Rinseless Washes
Surfactant-based rinseless washes are essentially pure cleaners. They’re designed to provide incredible cleaning power without leaving any residue behind. In other words, once you’ve finished wiping, you’re left with a perfectly clean surface and nothing more.
One of the best-known and highly effective products in this category is McKee’s 37 N-914 Rinseless Wash. It offers exceptional cleaning ability and remains a go-to choice for people who prefer a product that leaves no polymers, waxes, or protection behind.
Another strong contender here is Phoenix EOD Hydra. It follows the same principles of pure cleaning and is worth checking out if that’s what you’re after.
This category is ideal if you prefer to handle protection in another step (like applying wax or a sealant after washing).
Hybrid Rinseless Washes (My Preferred Type)
Hybrid rinseless washes give you the best of both worlds, combining the high cleaning power of surfactant-based washes with the slickness and dirt encapsulation of polymer-based ones. For me, this type offers the safest and most user-friendly washing experience while striking the right balance between performance and versatility.
Hybrid rinseless washes emulsify and encapsulate dirt, making it easy to safely remove contaminants without scratching. In fact, I’d argue they’re often safer than regular car soaps when it comes to preventing swirl marks and scratches.
If you ask for my #1 recommendation, it would likely be DIY Detail Rinseless Wash. It’s an incredibly versatile product that works well on both exterior and interior surfaces, making it a great all-around option, (and also leaves NOTHING behind), particularly for beginners who want a dependable introduction to rinseless washing.
Another excellent hybrid option is Detail.co Nemesis, which provides similar results and ease of use. Either of these would make a great starting point until you develop your own preferences.
Rinseless Washes with Protection
These rinseless washes are designed to clean while also leaving some level of protection behind. This protection might come in the form of wax, synthetic polymers, or SiO2-based (ceramic) sealants. Think of these as two-in-one products: They clean your car and add a layer of shine and protection in one step.
A classic example in this category is ONR Wash and Wax (the green bottle), which combines Optimum’s polymer technology with added wax for protection. Another standout is Ethos Hybrid Ceramic, which leaves behind a layer of SiO2-based sealant to give your vehicle added hydrophobicity.
These types are great for quick maintenance washes, especially if you’re in a hurry or don’t want to apply protection separately. While I personally don’t reach for these often (since I like to control my protection products), they can be excellent for people looking for an efficient, wash-and-go solution.
Foaming Rinseless Washes (Newer Type)
The newest kid on the rinseless wash block is the foaming rinseless wash. This type is designed for people who enjoy the foaming aspect of a traditional wash but want to skip the rinsing step.
These rinseless washes are formulated to foam when used in a foam cannon or sprayer, making them particularly appealing to those who love seeing that satisfying blanket of foam on their car. Despite the foaming action, these products don’t require a rinse afterward, combining the appeal of foam washing with the water-saving and efficiency benefits of rinseless methods.
Examples of foaming rinseless washes include ONR Hyper Foam and Detail.co Loki Hybrid Wash. While I don’t personally use these types (I prefer less foam for efficiency and other reasons), I’ve heard positive feedback from others who enjoy this approach. If you love foam and want to try something new, they might be worth exploring.
My Top Recommendations
For those of you just starting out with rinseless washing, I recommend beginning with DIY Detail Rinseless Wash. It strikes an excellent balance between cleaning performance, safety, and ease of use, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned detailers alike. It’s not only great for exterior washes but can also be used for interior surfaces, giving you added versatility.
A close second recommendation would be Detail.co Nemesis, which performs similarly and is also a fantastic all-around product.
Both are excellent starting points to help you get a feel for rinseless washing. Then, you can experiment with other types and figure out which works best for your style and priorities.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the rinseless wash market has no shortage of options. It seems to be constantly growing, with new products introduced almost weekly. While I do my best to stay up to date and test new releases, there are simply too many for me to cover them all. Still, I hope this breakdown helps clarify the different types of rinseless washes available and gives you a solid foundation to make an informed choice.
If you have any additional questions or feel there’s something I didn’t address, feel free to reach out or leave a comment below. I’m always happy to help you guys in any way I can.
My2CentsWorth
–Bobby
Addendum: Some Hybrid types will leave a Polymer film behind, while others will not. One of the reasons I recommend DIY Detail Rinseless as a starting point is that it is specifically formulated not to leave anything behind despite having polymer additives. Some other Hybrids might leave some polymer behind. You will have to research or experiment on which ones do or do not leave something behind.