Every day many people choose to wash their car in their driveways unaware of the potential environmental damage they may cause. Washing your car at home can waste water, send toxic chemicals into our storm drains and eventually our streams, rivers and oceans and create unnecessary trash. Fortunately there are several steps you can follow to ensure that washing your car at home is as eco-friendly as possible.
Ten Tips For An Eco-Friendly Car Wash
Know When To Wash
The time of day you choose to wash your car in can make a difference in the amount of water you use. Washing your car during the hottest time of time of day will cause you to use more water as it quickly evaporates and causes spots that have to be rinsed again. To avoid this problem wash your car either early in the morning or late in the afternoon and if possible choose a partially cloudy day instead of a day that's completely sunny.
Avoid The Driveway
Washing your car on the driveway can send harmful toxins into storm drains. Besides containing harmful cleaners the run off water also contains oil, gas and other toxic residue from your driveway. To avoid this scenario wash your car on your lawn so that the chemical laden water can be absorbed and filtered by the soil before entering the water system.
Use Eco Friendly Soap
Avoid using harmful car wash soap. Instead opt for an environmentally car wash product such as Simple Green's Car Wash Concentrate.Simple Green's product produces lots of thick foaming lather that is non toxic and bio-degradable yet removes the toughest automotive dirt, grime and grease.
Let The Rain Wash For You
Save water bu utilizing rain water to wash your car in. No I don't mean get out in the rain and wash your car what I mean is collect rain water and use it at a later date to wash your car. Rain can be gathered in a Rain Water Harvesting system that goes underneath the gutters on your home and stores water until you need it. A special rain water harvest hose attaches directly to the collection container for ease of use. Rain Water Harvesting Systems and hoses are available at most large home improvement stores.
Don't Kick The Bucket
Use a bucket and sponge to rinse and wash your car instead of just the hose which can waste a lot of water. Instead save hose use for a quick final rinse. After your wash is complete use the water left in the bucket to water a tree or plant.
Pimp Your Hose
Invest in an adjustable nozzle that controls the amount of water pressure from your hose. Most nozzles have several settings that let you choose what type of water stream is best for the job at hand. An adjustable nozzle also lets you quickly turn on and off the flow of water preventing water waste that occurs while you go to turn the water on and off and the faucet. Adjustable nozzles can be purchased for just a few dollars at most home improvement or large retail stores.
Skip The Windex
Instead of using harmful Windex or glass cleaner make your own eco-friendly cleaner by combining one part white vinegar with five equal parts of water in spray bottle. Spray on windows and clean as usual.
Ditch the Paper Towels
Instead of using paper towels to clean your cars windshield and windows with, save your newspapers and reuse them to wipe and dry with. Newspaper will not harm the glass and will leave it sparkling clean. You can also use rags made from old towels to clean ,dry and polish your car.
Go A Little Longer
To help save on water let your car go a little longer between washes. Instead of automatically washing your car every week or two only wash it only if it really needs it.
Remember to Dust
To stretch the time between car washes you can purchase a specially made duster for your car and use it to clean the dust off instead of washing your car to get it looking clean. The Original California Super Duster is available online from Amazon www.amazon.com and retails for 19.99. The duster is non toxic and gently removes dust from your car without scratching the paint and gives it that just washed look.
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