It’s midsummer, so why not transform the chore of cleaning your car into a refreshing way to have fun with the kids and save a few dollars?
Washing the old jalopy or prized roadster at home gives people a chance to cool off while bringing sparkle to their wheels.
Before you wash all that grime down a storm drain though, take a few moments to consider some ways to clean up — environmentally speaking — the home car wash.
Those drive-through professional washes actually are the “greenest” because they use about a third less water, and they filter and recycle the waste water.
Still, there are ways to keep bath-time-for-the-car Earth friendly.
Here are a few tips courtesy of Ford, plus some good ideas we picked up on our own.
1. Park on the lawn: The good earth helps filter all that soap and grime and keeps it from going into rivers and streams. Plus, you won’t have to water the grass later.
2. Get a good nozzle: People waste gallons of water during car washes by letting water just spill out. A nozzle will stop the water while you scrub. And you can set the jet to spray and soak a friend clear across the yard.
3. Give your car a quick rinse first: Then use a bucket for soapy suds while you wash and use the hose to rinse it clean.
4. Use clean rags each time: They wash easily for reuse. Remember old sponges can trap dirt that can scratch the finish.
5. Buy green soap products: Not all suds are the same. Simple Green makes a widely available biodegradable car-cleaning product. Or check out Eco Touch, a product that the company says can be used to bring out a vehicle’s gloss without adding water. Both are available online at either www.simplegreen.com or ecotouch.net.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com
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