What is the best lubricant when using a clay bar?

I bought a mother's kit which came with detailing spray. I heard you can use detergent or car wash instead and save the detailing spray. is this a good idea?

I just use the same soapy water that I wash my car with. First wash then clay...............

I make my own. I got a 16 oz spray bottle, filled it with water, then added 8 drops of Dawn. I've also used Zaino car wash instead of Dawn.

You lube both the car and bar.

You can use detail spray, we (Zaino) tell you to use our Car Wash (Z-7) it offers more lubrication and is less costly than using detail sprays.

Wash the car before and after. Do not dry the car so the water can also act as a lube.

Wash the car before and after. Do not dry the car so the water can also act as a lube.

Water is not enough lube for claying, same as for washing your car with just water, just not enough lube. :)

Water is not enough lube for claying, same as for washing your car with just water, just not enough lube. :)

You are correct. It's just extra, to go along with the other lube.

If you're going to clay an entire car, I'd also just use the soapy water while you're washing. The drawbacks are that you may be pushing lifted contaminants (dirt) around with the bar and a soaked claybar will breakdown much more quickly.
If you're claying only portions of the paint then a detail spray, waterless wash solution, or any of the already mentioned concoctions would probably work fine for a lube.

glass cleaning in the arisol cans is the best to use look for glaas cleaner with out amona sorry for my spelling

I just use the detailer that comes with the bar. Its like $5-$6 around here for a bottle so I don't mind wasting a little detailer. I always have a couple bottles of that laying around anyway

you could wash the car (soap and water) then rinse, then use soap and water again as a lube for the clay bar and work in sections.

Ive used detail spray.. dish soap..and car soap.... i prefer car soap... i mix up a few ounces of soap and water in a spray bottle and im good to go for a long while...heck of a lot cheaper than detail spray