What About My Car? Tips for Avoiding the Car Wash

March 1st, 2019

For those who are eco-minded, cleaning can sometimes be a challenge in terms of getting things done in a way that does not harm the environment. While there are a variety of household cleaners that are green and available for purchase, what are you supposed to do when it comes to cleaning your car? Are there any options available for keeping your car clean and detailed without having to take it to a car wash? The chemicals in car washes are most certainly not environmentally friendly.

It may seem like there is nowhere to turn to when it comes to these kinds of questions, but it is actually entirely possible to keep your car washed and detailed without having to go to a professional car wash. In order to successfully do this, however, you will need to have a couple of items on hand, as well as know how to use them in a way that will help your car look fresh and new when you are done cleaning and detailing it.

Keep a Lint Roller for Cloth Seats/Pet Hair

One of the most common household items can actually be used to clean your car as well. Many people do not realize a lint roller can be used until someone points it out, as it is not a common use for it.

If you have a lint roller in your house, you can use it to get dust and pet hair off of cloth car seats and carpets, if need be. If you do not have a lint roller, they are very easy to purchase and can be bought at almost any store. It will come in handy if you have a furry friend that likes to ride with you, but always leaves pet hair behind.

A Good Shammy Goes a Long Way

One of the most effective tools you can use to clean your car is a good, old-fashioned chamois cloth, or as it is often informally referred to, a shammy.

Though these were originally made out of animal leather, there is a synthetic alternative that is made from naturally occurring sources and compounds. Not only will this particular shammy last longer than the leather, it is also cheaper to purchases, so it ends up being a great product to use on multiple fronts at one time.

Eco Soaps that Won’t Hurt the Ocean

You would think that when you wash your car at home, you are actually helping the environment while saving money, right? Unfortunately, unless you are using a special eco-friendly soap, you would be wrong, believe it or not. As strange as this fact sounds, it is actually the truth.

The reason for this is that, at a car wash, the government requires that the water runs off into the sewer system, so it is chemically treated before it gets out into the wider world at large. When you are washing your car at home, the same regulations are not in place, and the water runoff is most likely not being chemically treated.

That is why it is vitally important you use an eco-friendly soap that will not hurt the ocean when you wash your car. This will allow for the rinse water to be safely drained away without causing any further damage to our already very strained oceans.

Vinyl Wipes Give the Pricey Detailed Look Without the Price

Most people love getting their car back from the cleaners and seeing that fresh, brand new detailed look it has, but you know what they don’t love? The price tag that goes along with all the detailed work done. Thankfully, there actually is a way cheaper alternative to this problem, and it is not even particularly time consuming.

In order to get that fresh new shine without having to spend a ton, all you have to do is simply get some vinyl wipes for your car. These will make your interior, especially if it is leather, look brand new with only a tiny amount of leg work on your part. They are affordable and easy to find, so you should definitely consider these as an option.

Touch Up Pens for Those Tiny Scuffs

There are a million ways to very easily scuff your car’s paint job, right? However, this doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money on getting one tiny spot repainted. Instead, you can simply buy a touch up pen for very tiny scuffs, and in the process, save yourself a whole lot of time, money, and effort at the end of the day.

Meta: There are a lot of green ways to take of your car and clean it, but most people don’t know about them. Be ahead of the curve by reading our new blog post.