27 Jan 2026
If you buy a new car, chances are it will have a snazzy set of alloy wheels as standard. Over time, your rims will start to look grubby, thanks to salt, brake dust and usual road grime. Thankfully, cleaning your alloy wheels and keeping them looking factory-fresh is really straightforward, provided you have the right equipment and follow the right process.
Due to the close proximity with the road surface, alloy wheels see some of the harshest conditions anywhere on a car. They regularly have to contend with hard brake dust and other contaminants like road tar and salt.
Regular car shampoo can only remove so much of these contaminants, and prolonged build-up can negatively impact the surface of your alloy wheels, staining or eating away at the lacquer.
So, to get a thorough deep-clean and protect your wheels, you’ll need to use a specialist alloy wheel cleaner. Our experts test the best alloy wheel cleaners on the market regularly and below you’ll find their top tips on using these products effectively.
Below we’ve outlined the steps you need to take when cleaning your alloy wheels to ensure you get the best outcome.
Before you start hosing down your wheels, you’ll need to get a high-quality alloy wheel cleaner.
Using the same cleaner that you wash the rest of your car with will leave traces of baked-on dirt and brake dust on the wheels, so a specialist alloy wheel cleaner will help get those wheels looking like new again.
For best results, make sure you get a wheel cleaner with a neutral pH or one which is as acid-free as possible to avoid damaging the rims’ surface.
Spray your wheel cleaner onto your alloy or steel wheel, paying particularly close attention to areas which are dirtier and have more contamination. Make sure you read the cleaner’s instructions before spraying onto your wheels.
Our favourite wheel cleaners simply spray on and you leave them for a few minutes before rinsing off. The best cleaners also change colour to show you exactly how much dirt is being lifted, while the ingredients they use mean they don't damage your tyres and can simply be washed down the drain once finished.
Some people may be tempted to use vinegar, WD40 or other household products but we wouldn’t recommend using any of these as they could do more harm than good.
A pressure washer is a great way to blast most of the dirt off your wheels.
Once you have removed some of the dirt, use an alloy wheel cleaning brush or a wet sponge and clean the hard-to-reach crevices where the pressure washer or hose can’t reach.
While you’re at it, you should use the pressure washer to clean the rest of the car at the same time, as some alloy wheel cleaners can impact a car’s paint job.
We'd recommend wearing rubber or latex gloves while cleaning your wheels so you don't get covered in brake dust or cleaning product. Some can cause skin irritation, while the fine dust particles can easily get ingrained in your fingers and under your nails.
Once you have cleaned your alloys with the alloy wheel cleaner and a brush, simply wash away any dirt and remaining cleaning product using a separate rag or sponge.
We'd recommend giving the wheels another wash after using the alloy wheel cleaner to get rid of any remaining contaminants.
With most of the dirt and brake dust now removed, the alloy wheels will be looking much better.
Once you have thoroughly cleaned your alloy wheels, adding a wheel wax will help protect your wheels and reduce the speed in which road grime and brake dust builds up.
Apply the wax to your wheels and then buff off with a separate rag or cloth. Once you're done with the wax, give your tyres a coat of tyre shine to get them back to their lustrous best.
Now that your alloy wheels are back to their gleaming best, make sure to clean them regularly. Frequent cleaning will prevent the brake dust from building up and help keep your wheels looking fresh for many more miles to come.
Need help deciding which alloy wheel cleaner to buy? Our alloy wheel cleaner product test sorts the best from the rest...
Ryan is responsible for looking after the day-to-day running of the Auto Express website and social media channels. Prior to joining Auto Express in 2023, he worked at a global OEM automotive manufacturer, as well as a specialist automotive PR and marketing agency.
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