If you don’t know already, washing your car is one of those activities that tend to consume a lot of water, and waste a lot of water in the process as well. However, that doesn’t mean you need to let the dirt and grime build up on your car instead. Thankfully, there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to wash your car. Here are 6 such tips that would help you get away with washing your car without harming the environment in the process.
Head to a self-service car wash
There are several self-service car washes that allow you to shine your car while capturing the runoff water and sending it to water treatment plants. In addition to being the least expensive option, this is also the greenest way to get your car cleaned.
Commercial car cleaners can use anywhere between 40 to 50 gallons of water to wash your car, it is still less when compared to the amount of water you would end up using if you washed the car yourself. The added benefit of this is that you can opt for other treatments like a wax after washing the car, all the while ensuring that your actions do not affect the environment much.
Wash on the grass
Washing your car on the pavement or road would lead to all the soap laden water making its way to the lakes and rivers eventually via the drain. A better alternative here would be to wash your car on the lawn. The grass in the lawn contains natural microbes break the compounds in the wash water and prevent them from entering the storm drains. This way, you can wash your car without worrying about polluting the water sources.
Choose biodegradable car wash products
If you are intent of washing your car at home, then consider opting for biodegradable car wash products and not the chemical based ones. This will prevent the amount of chemicals being released into the atmosphere when you clean your car. Look for phosphate free soaps that do not harm the environment. At the end of the day, you are assured of a clean car, and can rest in peace knowing that you did your part to protect the environment.
Try homemade cleaners
As much as you would be tempted to buy those chemical laden car wash products, it is considered best to avoid them altogether. How about opting for homemade cleaners then? One particular method involves mixing some vinegar in the water used to clean the car. In addition to getting rid of dirt, grime and stains effectively, this would prevent water spots on the car. You can also use other options like straight vinegar and kerosene to clean the windows. Just make sure that you don’t use them on the other parts of the car.
Get a waterless wash
If possible, try to get your car cleaned without using any water at all. This may sound confusing. However, in reality, it is quite possible if you put a little bit of effort into it. All you need is a clean, absorbent wipe and a spray bottle of the car wash product. Simply spray on the cleaner and wipe it away with the absorbent pad. In most cases, the dirt would come off. Use water only in cases where the dirt/grime is hard to remove.
Use a bucket, not a hose
Instead of using a hose that actually wastes a lot of water, consider cleaning your car with a bucket of water instead. In addition to letting you know how much water you are actually using to wash your car, this method would ensure that you be extra cautious in using the limited amount of water.
You can also opt for a hose with an adjustable nozzle .This way, you can spray the necessary amount of water only when needed and keep the hose closed the rest of the time.
Washing your car does not necessarily need to be an anti-green activity. From a waterless wash and commercial car washes to using homemade or biodegradable products, there are plenty of ways to wash your car and do your bit to save the environment in the process.
