What's the best way to hand wash a car?

Lots of water with a bit of soap or shampoo to start with, to loosen the dirt. Rinse off as much as you can after a few minutes, then use a soft brush with plenty of soap to go over it all. Work from the roof down, rinsing & checking each panel as you go. Do not use a cloth or sponge until all the dirt has been removed, they trap the grit particles and cause scratching. Once it's spotlessly clean, mop off with a clean chamois leather - rinse it out frequently to keep it clean. Lifting off the water avoids the discolouration that you get when any amount evaporates & leaves salts & scale behind. Finally, wax with Turtlewax or whatever your favourite is. Do one panel at a time & follow the instructions for that particular wax. With some types, a trace of water on the polishing-off cloth gives a better finish (like spit-polishibg shoes).

Rinse it down with plain water first, to loosen any dried-on crud. Then using a big sponge and a bucket of water with some car shampoo in wash from the top down. Do the wheels last, some people keep a separate cloth for that rather than get their sponge filthy. You may also need a brush to clean the crevices in the wheels. Then rinse again with fresh water from the top down. If it's warm or sunny you may find it beneficial to rinse a bit at a time as you wash it. Then dry with a towel or chamois leather - chamois is better, towel is quicker. Tip - don't use your bucket and sponge for anything else and if you drop the sponge wash it out very thoroughly to get rid of any grit. Personally I'm ultra picky and never use a sponge which I've dropped again on the paintwork , I'll keep it for wheels and tyres and use a new one on the bodywork. That's the wash and dry, you may then want to wax and polish and tart up the trim,

Use soap and water! :P

Big sponge Bucket of water, with soap if required Chamois leather

Rinse it down with plain water first, to loosen any dried-on crud. Then using a big sponge and a bucket of water with some car shampoo in wash from the top down. Do the wheels last, some people keep a separate cloth for that rather than get their sponge filthy. You may also need a brush to clean the crevices in the wheels. Then rinse again with fresh water from the top down. If it's warm or sunny you may find it beneficial to rinse a bit at a time as you wash it. Then dry with a towel or chamois leather - chamois is better, towel is quicker. Tip - don't use your bucket and sponge for anything else and if you drop the sponge wash it out very thoroughly to get rid of any grit. Personally I'm ultra picky and never use a sponge which I've dropped again on the paintwork , I'll keep it for wheels and tyres and use a new one on the bodywork. That's the wash and dry, you may then want to wax and polish and tart up the trim,

Big sponge Bucket of water, with soap if required Chamois leather

Use soap and water! :P