Efficiently Washing Your Car at Home

Protect the drinking water supply and help out the environment by ditching the home car cleaner and let the experts at the commercial car wash do the job for you. Most commercial car washes have much more efficient water usage than in the past because of the Clean Water Act of 1972. They try to keep chemicals out of the water and have special drainage systems that protect the ground water and increase usage efficiency.

An average home car wash uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water. To contrast, a commercial outfit uses between 40 and 50 gallons per wash. Cleaning your vehicle at home involves soapy water run off onto the grass or driveway where it can be cycled back into the drinking water.

At the same time, washing your car at home is an American tradition and saves you money. Below are a few hints to ensure a planet friendly home wash.

Some Helpful Tips on Washing your Car at Home

1. Use environmentally friendly detergents and cleanings supplies free of phosphates, petroleum-distillates, kerosene, silicone or mineral spirits.

2. Keep soapy water in a bucket and dispose of it through a closed sanitary system such as the sink or toilet.

3. Use a spray nozzle to reduce water waste.

4. Purchase a reusable drying cloth or shammy and ditch the paper towels.

5. Rinse and wring the sponge into the bucket and avoid dripping water onto the ground.

6. Wash vehicles on grass or gravel to ensure waste water drains into the earth rather than storm and sewage drains. This is the lesser of two evils because most storm and sewer drains empty directly into rivers and lakes used in the drinking water supply. Untreated detergents in water can harm natural habitats and pollute ground water.