car shampoo, an interior cleaner with added anti-bac, a medium chamois, wash mitt, heavy-duty bucket and an alloy cleaning brush. Rather than spending a small fortune on a kit that only promises ...

John Ibbotson, Consumer Reports’ chief mechanic, says that regular washing protects your car’s finish. It helps remove “road grit and residue left from rain and birds.” Not washing your car, he adds, ...