Your local car wash can be a convenient option for a quick rinse, but if you’re looking for a deep clean that leaves your exterior polished and protected, the costs can quickly add up. It’s much cheaper to do it yourself, especially if you want to keep it clean with frequent washings. Although the maintenance products you need are a significant initial investment, they also last. Many car wash products are designed to cover dozens of washes, which means you usually only buy one or twice a year.
Before embarking on a DIY car wash, it’s important to understand your options for cleaners and other products like wheel polish, as not all car cleaners are safe to use around the house. Many of them contain chemicals that have been shown to be harmful if not handled properly, and household disposal of these chemicals is not easy to achieve safely. Additionally, harsh chemicals with toxic side effects can pose a long-term health risk if you don’t wear the proper PPE.
Harsh chemicals to avoid
Although the number of cleaners containing harsh chemicals has steadily declined over the years, you will still find many of the following chemicals in some brands of car care products:
- Hydrofluoric acid, commonly found in rim and chrome cleaners
- Naphthalene, found in many fuel cleaners
- Perchlorethylene and methylene chloride, carcinogens found in some degreasers
- Sulfuric acid, present in many aggressive detergents
- Methanol, a form of alcohol that is irritating to eyes and skin
These are some of the most common chemicals that pose a risk in DIY laundry products. If you must use them, it’s important to have adequate ventilation, gloves, and in some cases even respirators to ensure you don’t experience any adverse health effects. If not, it’s a good idea to look for a bug, tar, paint and decal remover that doesn’t contain these compounds. Most car washes labeled mild or environmentally safe are fine, but be sure to check the ingredients to see if they actually live up to the label.
Attention to detail
If you take your time and learn the finer details, you can achieve a much better wash and shine at home than with a laundromat. All it takes is planning, supplies, and the right shop towel to avoid any streaks or rough textures that could affect the finish with repeated use. From there, it’s as simple as developing a system to treat every part of the vehicle with the right products for the occasion.
- Cleaner for interior and exterior windows and mirrors
- Upholstery shampoo and vinyl or leather interior cleaner
- Wheel and tire cleaner to keep your rims corrosion free and shiny
- Non-toxic body wash for your vehicle’s main exterior panels
- Wax, polish or finish to provide a protective buffer against dirt and chemical buildup from road salt or other environmental hazards
Now that you have the list of must-have cleaning supplies, get out there and stock up for the seasons to come. You’d be surprised how many full detail washes you can get for the same price as just two or three high-end automatic washes.
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