While most of the people see their cars as a means of transport, some are obsessed with them. You may know them as car enthusiasts. These people spend much more time taking care of their vehicles, with the majority spent cleaning and detailing. But, with all the car wash services all over the world, what’s the point of washing your car at home?
The obvious answer is that it is cheaper, but there is more to it. While car wash services do a great job of cleaning your car, you can do an even better job yourself. This is especially true if you want to take advanced care of the exterior. Sure, car wash services offer additional protection, but that often comes at a price.
Luckily, you can easily wash your car at home. Of course, you will need a yard and drainage – you don’t want the chemicals to leak onto the grass. You will also need specialized washing kits to obtain better results. Then, if you care about making the paint look like new again, you may want to try clay bars as well. In the end, protecting the paint will make the job much more comfortable in the future.
If you want to learn how to clean your car correctly and cheaply, follow the next step-by-step guide.
Preparation – where and when to wash your car?
People that live in apartments won’t have the luxury of cleaning their vehicles themselves. In other words, you will need a yard, preferably with a hard surface and drainage. If you don’t have drainage, there are some eco-friendly shampoo’s that won’t hurt the environment, but we still recommend getting rid of the wastewater. Next, use a water hose with a variable nozzle for the pressure it achieves. A soft sponge or car wash mitt is a must if you want your paint to last longer, while microfiber towel is the best choice for drying. You will also need a big bucket for the water-detergent solution.
While we’re at the matter of drying, the weather plays a significant role in achieving great results. Avoiding rainy days is obvious, but so is sunny days. When the weather is too hot, the water will dry at a faster rate and leave spots. Mineral deposits from the water form these water spots and can take away from the shine of the paint. The bottom line – a slightly colder and overcast day is the preferred time for washing your car. That said, if you must wash your car and the weather is sunny, do it under a shade.
What can I use to wash my car at home?
We recommend using only car wash shampoos, or car wash detergents. These products are specifically designed to thoroughly clean the exterior of your car and keep the paint intact. That is especially true for pH neutral detergents, which are gentle to the paint job. We don’t recommend household detergents as they might destroy one of the layers of the paint.
There are different types of detergents for windows and wheels. Use them if your budget allows for even better results on those areas. As for further protection, we recommend finishing the car with liquid wax.
You can also buy washing kits which contain everything you need in one package. And by everything, we mean detergent and/or shampoo for the paint job and wheels, wax, washing mitts, and towels.
How to wash a car at home – step-by-step guide
After you made all the preparation and bought the washing kit that suits your needs, it’s time to start cleaning. In this guide, you will learn how to wash the exterior of your car, which includes the paint job, wheels, tires, and windows.
Rinse the car with plenty of pressurized water
Before you start using a detergent, clean the vehicle with pressurized water. The higher the pressure, the better. The pressurized water will take care of the majority of the dirt, giving you a good foundation for further cleaning.
It is essential to do this step thoroughly and starting from the top. In other words, make sure that you rinsed the whole body of the vehicle, including the roof, windows, wheels, and wheel wells. By doing this, you will ensure that you won’t scratch the paint with larger contaminants when using a sponge.
Wash the wheels’ first
Always start with the wheels as they are the dirtiest. If you wash the wheels at the end, some of the dirt might end up on the paint job. Make a solution of non-corrosive detergent or a dedicated tire and wheel cleaning product and water in a bucket. Use the ratio recommended by the manufacturer of the product. Then, using a soft sponge or wash mitt, clean the wheels and tires thoroughly. Apply firm pressure, but don’t overdo it. Take your time to clean the most unreachable parts to give the wheels that extra shine. If your car has wheel covers, remove them to clean the wheel itself.
While you’re working on the wheels, it is recommended to wash the wheel wells as well. Don’t use the sponge that you used on the wheels, as it can become dirty quickly. Instead, use a brush, preferably with a handle.
Washing the body
As with the rinsing process, always start from the top. If your car is taller (SUV or minivan), you can use a ladder or stool to reach the top easily. When finished, advance to the windows, followed by the bonnet, then the sides, and finally the bumpers.
Always make a detergent-water solution in a large bucket as per the instructions from the manufacturer. Using a soft sponge or wash mitt is the best way to wash a car without scratching. Apply firm pressure and make circular motions. If some contaminants are stuck (i.e., bird droppings), apply more of the washing solution and a firmer pressure to remove them.
If the water-detergent solution gets dirty quickly, toss it away and make a new one.
Rinse with water again
After you’ve cleaned your car thoroughly, rinse the remaining soap with a hose. As opposed to the first rinse, don’t use the nozzle as it may leave water spots on the surface. Use a generous amount of water and make sure that you leave no soap on the surface.
Dry off with a microfiber towel
Leaving the water to dry is not the best solution, as it can also leave visible spots. Microfiber towels are the best choice for removing all the excess water from the surface without leaving any spots. Be sure that you drain the tower occasionally to ensure that it does a better job of drying the surface.
Optional – use a clay bar to restore the mirror effect of the paint
Many detailing shops are using clay bars to restore the shininess of the paint. These products are inexpensive and often come packed with complete car-care kits. Clay bars are potent and can remove even the most stubborn particles.
To use a clay bar, first form it into a hockey-puck shape. Then, spray from the provided lubricant on the clay bar and on the surface you are detailing. Don’t apply a lot of force and make circular motions. The area you’re detailing will be entirely clean when the clay bar slides freely over the surface. After working on one area, fold the clay bar and form a hockey-puck shape again. This way, you will ensure that the contaminants the bar collected won’t scratch the paint.
Please note that clay-bar detailing is a cumbersome process and will take a lot of time.
Optional – apply wax for protection
After a car wash, the paint on your car might be clean, but it won’t be protected. Applying wax will shield it from contaminants for longer. Use the wax according to the instructions from the manufacturer.
FAQ
Can I use Dawn to wash my car?
Dawn is a harsh soap that can do damage to the paint job of your vehicle, especially if used for prolonged periods. In other words, it’s not a good car wash soap alternative. Using a specialized car-wash detergent or shampoo is always the best option.
What is the best household soap to wash a car?
If you still insist on using a household soap to wash your car, it’s recommended to use a pH balanced one. All detergents that aren’t pH balanced can destroy the paint job in the long run.
Is it illegal to wash your car at home?
It’s legal to wash your vehicle at home or the street as long as you don’t use the storm-water system. If you do that, the fine can cost up to $1000.
How to wash a car without a hose?
There are some rinseless car-washing products on the market, but with a catch. While a rinseless solution can clean your car without the second rinsing process, it is still recommended to rinse-off the larger contaminants with a hose first. The best option that comes to mind is rinsing it at a self-service car wash.
Keep your car clean with a washing kit.