#5 - High pH vs. Low pH: Why Acids and Alkalines Both Matter in Cleaning
- David Knutson
- Jan 29
- 3 min read
The Balancing Act Behind Every Clean Car
At Rice Street Car Wash in St. Paul, Minnesota, we know that not all dirt is created equal.Some grime comes from oil and grease; other buildup comes from minerals, salt, or oxidation. That’s why professional car washes don’t rely on just one kind of cleaner — they use both high-pH and low-pH products to attack dirt from every angle.
It’s a chemistry lesson your car benefits from every time you wash.
What Is pH, and Why Does It Matter?
The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline (basic) a solution is — from 0 to 14:
0–6: Acidic (think lemon juice or vinegar)
7: Neutral (pure water)
8–14: Alkaline (think baking soda or soap)
In car washing, both ends of the scale have a purpose. Dirt, grease, and road film all respond differently depending on chemical composition — and pH balance is the key to breaking their bonds.
High-pH (Alkaline) Cleaners: The Degreasers
High-pH soaps and presoaks are designed to attack organic soils — things like:
Oil and grease
Bugs and bird droppings
Road tar and traffic film
How they work:Alkaline cleaners use a process called saponification — they react with fats and oils to form soap, which can then be rinsed away. In touchless systems like ours, that chemical reaction is crucial because it replaces the physical scrubbing of a brush.
Fun fact: Alkaline products are often the first step in winter washes. They’re excellent at dissolving road film and helping detergents cling to dirt.
Low-pH (Acidic) Cleaners: The Mineral Fighters
Low-pH solutions do the opposite — they target inorganic contaminants:
Hard-water spots and calcium buildup
Rust film and brake dust
Road salt and oxidation residue
How they work:Acidic cleaners dissolve the mineral deposits that alkaline cleaners can’t touch. They also help neutralize alkaline residues, balancing the surface pH before waxing or sealing.
When used before or after a high-pH step, low-pH detergents help restore the vehicle’s surface to neutral, which improves shine and surface protection.
Why Both Are Better Together
Think of high and low pH as a two-step team:
Low-pH presoak: Loosens minerals, scale, and oxidation.
High-pH detergent: Cuts through grease and oil, lifting away road film.
Used in sequence, these products “flip” the surface charge on dirt particles — breaking their grip so water pressure can do its job.The result? A cleaner car with less chemical use and no friction needed.
Touchless Systems Depend on pH Precision
In a touchless wash, everything depends on chemistry.Without brushes, properly balanced pH levels ensure the soap works like a brush — gently but effectively removing dirt at the molecular level.
At Rice Street Car Wash, our control systems automatically regulate chemical concentration, temperature, and dwell time, adjusting for weather and water hardness so each stage performs at peak efficiency.
Safety and Shine Through Chemistry
It’s important to know that “acidic” doesn’t mean “harsh.”Professional-grade products from Simoniz and Blendco are pH-buffered and clear-coat safe, designed for controlled dilution and biodegradable performance.After rinsing, the surface is left clean, balanced, and ready for protective coatings like wax or ceramic sealant.
The Local Advantage: Minnesota Roads and pH
Our Minnesota climate adds an extra layer of challenge — winter salt, spring mud, and summer bug residue all require different chemical strengths.That’s why our wash systems automatically adjust pH levels based on season and soil type:
Winter: More alkaline power to fight salt.
Summer: Balanced detergents for pollen, tar, and organic grime.
Year-Round: Acidic rinses to prevent mineral buildup from hard water.
It’s not just soap — it’s science, tuned for your local roads.
Experience the Balance at Rice Street Car Wash
The next time your vehicle goes through our touchless wash, remember: every clean is a chemical balancing act between high and low pH.It’s precision chemistry designed to remove everything that shouldn’t be there — and protect everything that should.
Stop by Rice Street Car Wash and experience the perfect balance of power and protection.
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