If there is one difference between California and Washington it’s the sheer lack of nice places to get your car washed. Also, if you own a black car, you’ve hopefully figured out that the surest way to surprise yourself is to take it to a car wash (especially non-touchless) as you’ll drive out with paint swirls. A few years ago, I took to the internet and discovered an incredible (and local to Washington) company - Griot’s Garage - that makes some of the best car washing / caring products I’ve used. It’s the same product that Park Place Auto Salon uses (and they sell all their stuff). If you live on the East Side (or work there), Park Place is the best car wash.

In my experience with their products, I will say they are top notch. The micro-fiber towels, each custom designed for a specific purpose, are excellent at what they do. They are easily washable and will last years. The reviews on Amazon for all of these products back up my claims.

The way to get into Griot’s garage products is first to recognize that you don’t need to wash your car with water. You can do it in your own garage, and all year round.

Griot's Garage 11285 Spray-On Car Wash Kit

Griot’s spray on kit is a waterless cleaning system. You basically soak parts of your car with this high volume bottle sprayer and then you wipe with the plush green micro fiber. Then after a minute you buff with the micro fiber. It takes 10-15 min to wash a car depending on how dirty it is. If you have kids, you can shave off some time!

The key with this kit is being very generous with your spray and working in small sections out of the sun. I've purchased an extra set of towels since they do get pretty wet and soaked.

Griot's Garage 11262 Interior Kit

For the inside of your car, the interior kit is great. Doesn’t smell bad and won’t ruin any synthetic or leather products.

Griot's Garage 11345 Speed Shine Quick Detailing Kit

The speed shine kit is a bit different than the wash. This is meant as a quick “wax” application to use after your have washed a car (either in an auto wash) or due to some dust and dirt that’s accumulated. Much faster than the Spray-On wash it’s even great to use after a wash. Your car will look detailed.

Griot's Garage 11224 Wheel Cleaning Kit

For cleaning your wheels, this stuff makes brake dust melt.

Griot's Garage 67255CSTBUC Ultimate Car Wash Bucket

However, now that it’s summer in Seattle, I’ve been enlisting my kid in washing the cars which they seem to enjoy. For this reason I got the Griot’s car was bucket. It is very fast and easy to wash your car the traditional way with about 4 gallons of water (between bucked and rinsing).

The Ultimate Car Was Bucket is really well designed. It has a tray on the bottom to keep the dirt under the wash towels and a special designed measuring system that makes it easy to dole out car was soap. Finally it has an upper shelf that’s good for a wheel brush or cloth. Also it has wheels and a big handle that make movement around the car easy.

Griot's Garage 11102 Car Wash

This stuff is amazing. If you use the Micro Fiber wash mit and drying cloth you will have a spotless shine. Simply pour into the small little reservoir in the bucked and fill with a hose.

Griot's Garage 10268 Micro Fiber Wash Mitt - Set of 2

I have the pads (Amazon doesn’t seem to carry them) but the mitts are the same concept. These are super plush, super absorbent and required to get clean / and shine without spots. No swirl marks.

Griot's Garage 11117 Micro Fiber Drying Towel

For drying your car, nothing beats having a huge absorbent towel. This towel is amazing. it has 4 hand pockets that let you cover a lot of the car in a short amount of time. I have 2 of these and I keep 1 in the car at all times in case I do go to a touch-less car wash.

Griot’s makes a TON of other products too which you can explore. For example, bug removal spray, glass cleaner (I just use micro fiber and water). The stuff above will go a long way to improving your car look.

★★★★★ Exceptional. A spectacular product.