There are a variety of different brands and types that you can use, but one thing is for certain, which is that you need a sponge! A big sponge is best to cover the large surface area of the car. You can use a natural sea sponge or a synthetic sponge, the choice is yours! Now that you have your sponge, you will need a sturdy bucket. As long as the bucket holds at least two gallons of water, you can use just about any sort. However, a bucket and sponge would be no good without a little bit of car wash soap! Using specially formulated car wash soap is important. House hold dish soap might harm the finish of your car, so it is best to stick with the real thing