How to Wash Your Car Without Water (and Why You Might Think About It)
Whether you routinely wash your car (or SUV, truck, van, etc.) at home yourself or take it to a car wash, you probably won’t be able to do it as often as you’d like. Doing it yourself saves money, but not necessarily time, especially when you factor in all the washing costs.
So, for various reasons, including the ongoing drought and water shortages in certain parts of the country, some people choose to wash their car without water. But is it bad for your car? Does it work? Here’s what you need to know.
How to wash a car without water
Before getting into it, we must point out that if your vehicle is completely covered in mud, mud and / or dust, you will probably have to use water. But for regular washings, you can skip the water. So what does this entail?
Instead of a conventional setup that includes a hose, a bucket of water, and a cleaning solution, anhydrous car wash products are premixed and dispensed as a spray. The idea is to spray the solution on the parts of your car that need to be cleaned and then wipe those parts clean.
In a CNET article for the Roadshow, Brian Cooley, who has used the waterless technique himself, gives a few hints:
- Use the Right Products : Anhydrous automotive spray is not the same as general purpose automotive spray. “You need something that looses and lubricates the dirt so you don’t damage the car’s finish and get upset trying to remove stubborn dirt,” Cooley writes.
- Wipe down with a microfiber towel: Not only are they super soft, but they quickly capture particles, Cooley says. On the other hand, kitchen towels and paper towels make the process take longer, don’t work very well and, as a result, can make you think you need to wipe harder than necessary, potentially damaging your car’s finish.
- The towel is correct : Cooley talks not only about the type of towel, but also about your technique. So what does a good towel technique look like? “You want to use a wiping pattern that doesn’t cross itself while you’re constantly flipping or changing the towel,” he writes.
Is it a good idea to wash your car without water?
Like most things, it depends on the circumstances. If you live in an area where water is scarce, or are trying to cut down on water consumption regardless of location, a waterless car wash is a good option in many situations.
As we mentioned earlier, really dusty / dirty / muddy vehicles will probably need a little water. But with the usual amount of road grime and grime, a waterless car wash should help, Cooley said. Just be sure to buy the right cleanser and towel for the best results.