Say Goodbye to the Car Wash! Why Hand Washing Your Vehicle Just Makes Sense

February 12, 2008 By Tisha (Kulak) Tolar

I am longing for the days of spring when I can throw open the windows and let a little fresh air into the house. I also can not wait to wash the dirt and road grime that has been conglomerating on my car since last October. There are few better feelings than unrolling the garden hose for the first time in the season and having a good old-fashion car wash. I hand wash my car because I think it is fun but hand washing is actually a better choice for your vehicle and provides better results. It is easier on the car’s finish than a commercial car wash.Even before the weather is right, you can start stocking up on supplies. While your car care products don’t have to break the bank, they should be high quality and designed for use on cars. Many people make the mistake of using laundry or dish detergent, thinking that such products are safe enough for dishes and clothing so they must be good for cars. Not true. Using household cleaners or other detergents can damage the finish on your car. Purchase car soap designed specifically for use on automobiles and make sure you get a good quality wash mitt. Using old rags or sponges can potentially cause scratching to your car’s finish, as dirt and debris can get trapped in the cloth and mess up your paint job. You can also invest in high-quality tire cleaner to remove the brake dust and road dirt from your rims and tires. Most cleaners will leave tires looking super-shiny and clean for a good period of time.

When you start cleaning, attack the tires first. You can use a stiff brush to scrub off stuck on dirt that a cleaning mitt may not be able to reach. After the tires, move up to the top of the car. Remember that gravity is on your friend so start with the roof and work your way back down to the tires. Wash one section at a time and be sure to rinse the soap off thoroughly before it can dry. Keep washing in sections and save the back end of the car for last. It is generally the dirtiest section and will get your cleaning mitt even dirtier. Once you are done scrubbing, rinse the entire car again with clean water to make sure all of the cleaning soap is removed.

If you plan to wax your vehicle as an extra measure of protection, again be sure to use a high quality wax product and follow the instructions. Avoid using old rags and shirts to apply the wax because of scratching. Instead buy several 100% cotton terrycloth towels instead and keep them on hand. Allow the car cleaning supplies to dry off before storing them away. It’s a good idea to put all of the products in the wash bucket and store together. The next time you need to clean your vehicle, all of your things will be in one convenient place.

Posted in automobiles, money, saving money, shopping

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