Car owners have been urged to take care when washing their vehicle, as they could cause it serious damage.

Research from found that more than 60% of people wash their own cars, although nearly one in 10 don't bother to wash their motor at all.

For those who do take the time to get a bucket and sponge out at home, the group has shared some tips of things you should and should not do.

Consumer editor Tom Jervis warned that you should use the right washing materials, or your car could end up with scratches, dull paint, and damaged alloys.

He said the best way to wash your car is by hand, but you may want to consider the time of day when you scrub it down.

One tip he shared for when to wash your car is to not do the job when the sun is high or the weather is particularly hot.

He explained: "Washing in strong sun causes water and products to dry too fast, reducing effectiveness and risking chemical staining or streaks."

Some other practices to avoid include using silicone-based sprays inside your car, as they can make your pedals slippery and can cause dashboard reflections.

You may be tempted start with applying some soapy water with your sponge, but Mr Jervis warns against this. He said: "Going straight in with a sponge risks dragging dirt across your paint - always loosen grime first to reduce scratches."

You can do this using snow-foam or a pre-cleaner and then rinsing this off. Auto Express research found 15% of drivers only wash their car using an automatic car wash while 16% use one on occasions.

But Mr Jervis said there are risks here. He explained: "Most drivers think a quick run through an automatic car wash is doing their car a favour - but in reality, this is gradually wrecking the paintwork.

"The worst offenders are drive-through washes with old-style hard nylon brushes. They are not great because they pick up all the dirt and grit from all the previous cars and it then gets rotated repeatedly over the paint."

He warned these car washes can evern rip off trim or a wiper and then drag it along your car, causing further damage.

Worse still, these machines don't even do a proper job, often missing the inside of wheels or the corners by the numberplate.

Mr Jervis also urged to be careful with roadside car washes. He said it's best to check the online reviews first and to go there early in the day when the cloths, mitts and water will be clean.

He said: "Look out for a proper pre-wash using snow foam - not acidic traffic film removers which some car washers mix up to be far too strong thinking it will work better.

"But it doesn't and can end up marking alloy trims and stripping the lustre off window rubbers. They also tend to slop on painted-on tyre shine which may look good while the car is stationary, but as soon as you drive off it gets flung off onto the side of your car."