What's the difference between pH-neutral car soap and regular car soap?

pH-neutral (around 7) soaps are formulated to lift dirt without stripping existing wax, sealant, or ceramic coatings, which is why detailers recommend them for weekly maintenance washes. Higher-pH 'strip' shampoos cut through old protection and are meant for prep before re-coating, not regular use. If your car is coated or waxed, almost every detailer-favorite soap in this roundup leans pH-neutral on purpose.