What's the most environmentally friendly way to wash your car?

Question

power washer
car wash
bucket and sponge
In terms of the least water used?

I can't afford to go without my car, believe me if I could I would so please don't suggest it.

If you know of any facts or figures for average water use by these methods please let me know.

Thank you.

Answer 1

LOOK ON THE NET, EBAY ETC FOR A
WASHMATIK

A DEVICE THAT USES MINIMAL AMOUNTS OF WATER AND GETS THE JOB DONE I HAVE ONE THEY CAN BE USED ON CARS WINDOWS BIKES AND SO ON...
WELL WORTH THE MONEY

(ITS LIKE A SMALL HOSE THAT CLIPS TO A NORMAL BUCKET WITH DIFFERENT ATTACHMENS THAT COME WITH IT FOR THE CAR AND WINDOWS OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO WASH,THE WATER ONLY FLOWS WHEN YOU USE A SCRUBING MOTION,A BUCKET WILL CLEAN TWO CARS)

Answer 2

A bucket and sponge but only if you rinse using a sponge also, not using a hose. If your car is really dirty, encrusted with mud or salt, the bucket method does not work very well.
In many places especially where water is in short supply, car washes are required to reuse water, so the average water use per wash would probably be less than most home methods.
Other environmental factors to consider are contamination of surface and ground water and the soil so what kinds of chemical or soap is used for cleaning and how the water is disposed of also matters.

Answer 3

Bucket and sponge. A compact sedan would take about 2 medium size buckets of water if you wash the right way.

Using a mild soap bring the first bucket to suds. Using the wet sudsy sponge, wash from the roof down. Make the tires last. This way the water works its way down soaping the car up on its way. Use half of the bucket to wash the car body and the last half for the bumpers, grille and tires.

When you finish, rinse with a clean bucket of water using a clean sponge. Then dry using chamois cloth.

Answer 4

A Bucket and Sponge. If possible park your car on the lawn - so any water dripping off your car will water the lawn at the same time. If you've got any water left in the bucket at the end either tip it on the flower/vegetable plot or in any tubs you have got plants growing in.

If you park your car on the lawn and use a hoepipe, you can always tell any nosy Council Official that you are doing two jobs at once - keeping the outside of your car clean is an act of safety.

Answer 5

Use soap made from extracts of natural oils. The soil will welcome these oils since these help in nourishing in the same way as organic matter does. However, driving the car on the lawn destroys the grass because of the tires. The heavier your car is the more it loosens or softens the soil, making it hard for you to remove it. And so, expect your lawn to be corrugated. Try collecting water from your washing machine after the laundry. Use this used water to clean your car on the garage and driveway.

Answer 6

Water is environmentally friendly.....use as much as you need.
Soap is not, avoid using soap (cars have no sweat to wash
off, how did that practice get started in the first place?)
Some soaps can even harm your finish. I have a business washing million-dollar aircraft and I use soap only on difficult spots. A car costs MUCH less to paint. I'll betcha the same
method will work.

Answer 7

Don't wash it! Uses no water at all! Otherwise, I suspect that the bucket and sponge is most economic on water - one bucket with soap, one clean water for rinse should be enough. It's more down to how often you clean it, though - mine is done twice a year if it's lucky.

Answer 8

I tend to use the hose with plain water. Hose off, then reduce flow, fit a car washing brush and go top to bottom. Uses more water than the bucket & sponge but you are not washing with dirty water and you are not contributing detergent to the environs.

Answer 9

Wait till it rains then go over it with a soft car wash brush no need for soap just a rain suit and a souwester, or don't you really want to be that enviro/friendly?

Answer 10

RIDE a bIKE TO THE CAR WASH! then go back home grab your car and wash it with a bucket and sponge as you can limit how much water you use. Your bike will be fine i will be there to take it!