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Car-washing 101
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Hand-wash, pay and spray or conveyor belt: Which car-washing option is best for you, your car and the environment?
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By Dayna Boyer
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The car wash is one of the most iconic symbols of winter's passing. Neighbours spray down their cars in the driveway, volunteers post homemade signs announcing fund-raising car washes, and the conveyor belt carries a steady stream of vehicles at your local car wash.
To maintain its appearance and increase resale value, wash your car once or twice a month -- more often in the winter to remove salt residue -- suggests Mark Thorsby, executive director of the International Car Wash Association, which represents the commercial car wash industry.
Planet-friendly car washing
According to The Canadian Carwash Association, commercial car washes use 60 per cent less water than at-home car washers. With its water efficiency and regulated run-off drainage systems, professional car washes just may be the most environmentally friendly way to wash your car.
When you wash your car at home, run-off water -- carrying soap, grease, grit and oil -- goes into storm sewers. The storm sewers collect and redirect untreated water, so all of the soap and chemicals used on your car go directly into your local rivers, lakes and streams.
There are products to reduce your environmental impact such as Simple Green car-washing products, available at retailers like Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, and Zellers. These cleaning products are biodegradable, and some are alcohol- and ammonia-free, and contain no phosphates.
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