Regular car washes are great for your vehicle. They may keep your car clean and shiny, but it’s important to take note of some car cleaning methods that adversely affect nature and the environment. Switching to eco-friendly car wash methods is a significant step towards protecting the environment while making way for a cleaner, healthier planet. In this blog, we’re compiling a list of top tips on top eco-friendly car washes. You can follow these tips to have a clean car and a clearer conscience! Read on to know more.
This blog has been updated on May 30, 2021.
Do not wash your car in the driveway
For some people, washing their car in the driveway is a weekend ritual. However, this seemingly innocent activity can cause significant harm to the environment. The water run-off from a household, for instance, goes into the sewer system and undergoes treatment before it is discharged outside. The water used to wash a car in the driveway, however, goes straight into storm drains that eventually lead to canals, rivers, wetlands, and other water bodies. This untreated water that contains dirt and grime is loaded with potentially toxic substances like copper, zinc, gasoline, motor oil, and other residues from exhaust fumes. The untreated water will end up contaminating the body of water it enters and potentially harms aquatic life forms and the ecosystem. To prevent this, choose to wash your car on the lawn or over an unpaved surface if possible. The grass and soil will absorb and neutralize the contaminated water before it enters the storm drains or any waterways.
Use biodegradable car wash products
Avoid using car wash products that contain phosphate, chlorine, and petroleum-based ingredients. Choose eco-friendly and biodegradable soaps to clean your car instead. You can also make your own biodegradable car wash solution at home. Mix one cup of liquid dishwashing detergent and 3/4 cup of powdered laundry detergent with three gallons of water. Ensure that the dishwashing detergent and laundry detergent are free of phosphate, chlorine, and other petroleum-based products. You can now use this solution sparingly to clean your car’s exterior.
Ditch the hose
Gallons of water are wasted when you turn on your hose to clean your car. Try using two buckets instead — one filled with the soap solution and the other to collect dirty water and rinse out your wash mitt. Dip your wash mitt into the soapy solution first, clean your car and then dunk it into the second one to rinse it out. Make sure to pour the dirty water into the sink or bathroom drain.
The waterless car wash method
A waterless car wash is an ideal choice if your car only has little dirt on it. You can make your car dirt-free by using minimal products while saving gallons of water. All you need to do is spray the waterless car wash product onto the car’s exterior, let it sit for some time, and then wipe it off with microfiber towels. This method, however, is not recommended if you are cleaning a car covered with thick dirt and mud.
Visit a top-rated car wash near you
The tips mentioned above require a lot of time and patience. If you are someone who does not have the luxury of time but still wants to clean your car in an eco-friendly manner, we’d highly recommend taking it to a top-rated car wash near you! Yes, you read that right. Let us tell you why.
On average, automatic car washes use close to 45 gallons of water for one car. On the other hand, while using the traditional hand wash method, almost 140 gallons of water end up being used! What’s more, commercial car wash facilities reuse and recycle the water efficiently. Besides that, these facilities drain the dirty water directly into the sewer, ensuring that the run-off gets treated before it is discharged into the environment.
If you are looking for an eco-friendly car wash near you, try using websites and apps like Way.com. Way.com offers professional and top-rated car wash services at great prices. What’s more, the whole family can get in on the sudsy action thanks to Way.com’s Carwash Voucher and Family Car Wash Pass that can be used on multiple (that’s right, multiple) vehicles!
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